Back on our tellies: Rob Beckett’s Smart TV to return for a second series, plus Alison Hammond to host her first ever podcast, with all-new Smart TV podcast

Sky today announced that the TV-themed panel show ‘Rob Beckett’s Smart TV’ will be returning to Sky Max for a second series. Hosted by the brilliant Rob Beckett alongside his team captains – TV fanatic Josh Widdicombe, and a lady who frankly is TV, Alison Hammond – the 6 x 45 show is a hilarious celebration of the small screen and the shows we love (and some we don’t).  

Following a successful first series, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is back with more ferocious quizzing all about the magic of television. Each week, the regulars are joined by actors, comics, presenters and personalities, who compete across a series of funny and chaotic rounds to see who knows the most about TV. 

Produced by Talkback, a Fremantle label, the first series, which launched in February 2024, drew in the biggest launch audience of any new unscripted entertainment series to date this year, and welcomed the likes of some serious television royalty, from David Morrissey, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Cush Jumbo, Charlie Cooper and Lydia West to everyone’s favourite Dr – David Tennant. With even more fabulous famous faces to come, plus more competitive TV trivia, play-along games, and the TV funniest trio who can’t wait for another chance to affectionately annihilate one another professionally and personally, you won’t want to miss the next series of Rob Beckett’s Smart TV.

Further cementing herself as someone who knows everything about TV (because she’s done it all) Alison Hammond will host her first ever podcast in the form of the Smart TV podcast (w/t), a brilliant new spinoff of the TV series.  Each of the 21 episodes will feature a celebrity guest, who will chat to Alison to discuss all the TV that made them who they are today. And what would a podcast about telly be, without some outrageous insider knowledge?

Guests will feature some of the cast of series 1 and 2 as well as people who are truly passionate about all things TV.

Host of the show, Rob Beckett, said: “I am absolutely buzzing that Smart TV is coming back. It brings me so much joy to be able to sit down for a bit. As a father of young children, the only time I get to sit down is on the toilet and hosting a tv show. Although it’s great having Alison and Josh sat next to me on the show, but when they follow me to the toilet it becomes a bit overwhelming. Especially when Alison does one of her big laughs when I’m wiping.”

Team captain and podcast host, Alison Hammond, said: “We’re back babs! I can’t wait for the three musketeers to be reunited for another series of Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, and for my team to win every single episode. I hope Josh is ready! I am delighted to be hosting the new spin-off podcast for Smart TV, it’s going to be so much fun, and you bet I’m going to be getting ALL the tea from our wonderful celeb guests coming on.”

Team captain, Josh Widdicombe, said: “I cannot wait to do this show again, I love spending time with Alison, and Rob is nice too if you like that kind of thing. My plan is that the show becomes so successful that we end up doing a round all about Smart TV… on Smart TV.”

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV returns next year on Sky Max and NOW

The Smart TV Podcast (w/t) will launch in 2025

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV is produced by Talkback (a Fremantle label) and Executive Produced by Director of Programmes, Kate Edmunds, and Mark Barrett. The Smart TV Podcast (w/t) will be produced by Tom Corrigan. The series was commissioned by Phil Edgar Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment at Sky. Shirley Jones is the Commissioning Editor.

For PR enquiries, please contact: molly.wyatt@sky.uk