Time Team has unveiled its ambitious vision for the future, with plans to produce new episodes more regularly, combine new content with classic episodes from its 30-year catalogue, and solidify its position as the prime location for archaeological programming and discoveries.
The relaunch of Time Team in 2020 was made possible thanks to thousands of fans worldwide on Patreon. Tim Taylor, Time Team’s creator and Series Producer, said: “It’s thrilling that fans across the globe are at the heart of Time Team. We have some really exciting plans ahead with your ongoing support.”
Patreon is an online membership platform, which offers access to a range of extra content, including live Q&As and masterclasses. With over 8,000 members currently subscribed, Time Team has set a new goal of 10,000 ongoing members in order to develop more sites. Taylor explains: “Time Team has always investigated sites that may otherwise lay forgotten or be lost forever. Increasing our membership helps us plan further into the future. Ultimately, the more subscribers we get, the more sites we can do!”
Time Team has listed a tantalizing range of potential sites, which could be investigated if additional support is achieved. These include a possible Viking settlement, prehistoric standing stones, D-Day battlefields, a huge Roman palace, enigmatic Bronze Age rock art in Scandinavia and Saxon princely burials.
The team has also developed its range of formats, giving flexibility to adapt its approach depending on the site. Alongside the traditional 3-day digs, the new ‘X Crew’ is a streamlined expedition unit that can drop in to any location worldwide for a targeted investigation in its own timeframe.
Sir Tony Robinson has returned to host Time Team Specials: standalone documentaries exploring iconic sites and big themes. Robinson commented: “It’s wonderful to be back out in the field with Time Team again, and what a project to kick things off!”
To complement the main digs, Time Team has introduced a regular monthly release schedule on its Official YouTube channel, which will combine new digs and discoveries with Classic episodes from the archives. This includes a monthly News show on the last weekend of every month, and 12 classic Time Team Specials from the archive. An additional 10 Classics will be released to members on Patreon each month.
Having been awarded the YouTube Silver Award in 2022, for over 100,000 subscribers, Time Team is now aiming for the YouTube Gold Award – one million subscribers. As Taylor acknowledges, “We might need more than three days for this one!”
Time Team is calling for more support from its fans to achieve its ongoing vision. Taylor concluded: “Please help us achieve our ongoing vision for Time Team. Be by our side with every new discovery as we investigate more sites!”
Time Team, the archaeology television series created by Series Producer Tim Taylor, first aired in 1994 on the UK’s Channel 4. It quickly became a Sunday teatime staple and is now watched by millions on YouTube in over 140 countries. Presenting classic episodes from its 30-year catalogue, along with special documentaries hosted by Sir Tony Robinson, and new episodes hosted by Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE, the Time Team Official YouTube channel recently surpassed 170,000 subscribers and 11.8 million views.
With the support of thousands of fans worldwide on Patreon, Time Team is now setting an ambitious vision for the future, including the release of a range of new content and the investigation of more sites.
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