Endemol-owned Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) will exclusively follow the selection and training of the world’s first one way astronauts to Mars

Candidates chosen from over 200,000 applicants will be tested to the extreme in one of the most extraordinary and challenging job interviews ever seen

The winners will be the first to make the 300 million-mile journey to establish permanent human life on the red planet

DSP’s landmark production will be broadcast around the world and further announcements are due to follow soon

London / Amersfoort, 2nd of June 2014. Mars One and multi-award winning factual producer DSP (an Endemol company) today announced they have entered an international partnership to screen the mission to send the world’s first one way astronauts to Mars.

DSP becomes the exclusive worldwide production partner for the Mars One astronaut selection and training program, which will see people from all walks of life undergo one of the most extraordinary and challenging assessment processes ever seen.

705 highly motivated candidates, shortlisted from over 200,000 who applied to become future inhabitants of Mars, will be tested to the extreme as part of an elite training program run by a panel comprised of pre-eminent scientists, adventurers and astronauts.

In order to qualify for the mission, each individual must demonstrate that they have acquired the intricate knowledge and skills as well as the high levels of psychological and physical performance needed for the most long distance voyage humankind has ever embarked upon.

DSP will document the aspiring pioneers’ astonishing journeys every step of the way in the lead up to the mission, which will see the winners become the first to make the 300 million-mile, one way trip to establish permanent human life on the red planet.

Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies and Mars One’s mission plan integrates components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide. However, no return trip can be made. Instead Mars One will send additional crews every two years to further build the pioneering colony.

With the astronaut selection process already underway, the first instalments of DSP’s landmark production are expected to begin broadcasting around the world in early 2015. Further details and announcements are due to follow soon.

Bas Lansdorp, Co-founder & CEO of Mars One said, "Bringing the story of our incredibly brave aspiring Martians to the world now officially begins with what we feel is a perfect partnership. Our team felt all along that we needed a partner whose strength lies in factual storytelling to an international audience. DSP will provide that to Mars One, while allowing our selection committee to maintain control of the astronaut selection process. This really is a perfect fit for both of us!”

Iain Riddick, DSP’s Head of Special Projects and Digital Media, comments: “It is a great privilege for DSP to be chosen to exclusively follow the incredible journeys of those who will make humankind’s first footprint on Mars. This has to be the world’s toughest job interview for what is without question a world-first opportunity and the human stories that emerge will captivate and inspire generations across the globe.”

About DSP

DSP has a long established reputation for producing world class television programmes and theatrical documentaries for UK, US and international broadcasters. The company has achieved global industry recognition for its ground breaking output and has received more than 40 industry awards, including accolades from BAFTA, The Peabody Awards, The Royal Television Society and the US Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences.

Credits include: The Mill (Channel 4), Richard III: The King in the Car Park (Channel 4); How to Build a Bionic Man (Channel 4 and Smithsonian Channel); Earth From Space (NOVA and Discovery Canada), ‘Hawking’ (PBS and Channel 4); Dead or Alive (National Geographic Channels International Wild); Nazi Megastructures (National Geographic Channel) and Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon (BBC Two).

DSP is part of Endemol, a world leading content creator with a global network of operations in over 30 countries including the USA, the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as Latin America, India, Israel, South Africa and Australia.



For more information visit www.dsp.tv



About Mars One

Mars One is a not-for-profit foundation that will establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Mars One has developed a realistic mission plan, built upon existing technologies available from proven aerospace suppliers worldwide. Several of these suppliers are already under contract of Mars One, including Lockheed Martin and Paragon Space Development. Work on the first unmanned mission, scheduled for launch in 2018, has already started.

Mars One plans to land the first crew on Mars by 2025. The ambitious schedule is possible because the crews departing to Mars go there to stay. Instead of trying to bring crews back to Earth, Mars One will send additional crews every two years, establishing the first human settlement outside of the Earth. Mars One will select and train crews of astronauts. The search for astronauts began in April 2013. More than 200,000 applied for this first call for future Mars inhabitants.

The first footprint on Mars and lives of the crew thereon, literally the Next Giant Leap for Mankind, will inspire generations to come and will be the world's biggest media event.

For more information visit www.mars-one.com



About Endemol

Endemol is a world leading creator, producer and distributor of multiplatform entertainment. The company annually produces over 15,000 hours of programming across scripted and non-scripted genres, including drama, reality TV, comedy, game shows, entertainment, factual and kids programming.

Endemol comprises a global network of around 90 companies in more than 30 countries and works with over 300 broadcasters, digital platforms and licensees worldwide. The business covers development, production, marketing, distribution, franchise management and multi-platform initiatives including digital video, gaming and apps.

Endemol’s credits in non-scripted entertainment include worldwide hits such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Wipeout, The Money Drop and Your Face Sounds Familiar. The company’s growing portfolio of award winning drama and comedy includes international titles such as Ripper Street, Peaky Blinders, Hell on Wheels, Hot in Cleveland, Kirstie, Leverage, Home and Away, Death Comes to Pemberley, Black Mirror, The Crimson Field and The Fall.

As one of the world’s largest independent content distributors, Endemol launches over 80 new entertainment formats a year on broadcast networks across the globe and distributes more than 33,000 hours of finished programming. The company’s creative teams around the world are continuously developing new ideas that are shared across the Endemol network.

Endemol is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.



For more information visit www.endemol.com