Why The Big Deal’s First Episode Is Worth Watching

The Big Deal with Steph McGovern is putting a different spin on the traditional television competition. Rather than contestants creating art themselves, seven pairs are being challenged to become art dealers, buying and selling contemporary artwork and trying to work out what will appeal to potential customers.

Episode 1 is particularly interesting because it demonstrates that having good taste isn't necessarily enough. The contestants have to think commercially and ask themselves whether someone else will actually be prepared to pay for the artwork they've chosen. That makes the programme as much about business, confidence and judgement as it is about art.

For anyone who has ever wondered how the art market really works, The Big Dealoffers an accessible introduction — and with five more episodes to come, it will be interesting to see which aspiring dealers can turn their early decisions into success.