Steph McGovern, known for her work as a finance journalist and broadcaster, is making a new career move as the host of "The Big Deal," a BBC2 reality series focused on art dealing. The show, which premieres on August 13, features teams competing to become the most successful art dealers within the UK’s contemporary art market.

McGovern first gained recognition as the chief financial reporter for BBC Breakfast between 2011 and 2019. She later transitioned into hosting roles, including the Channel 4 chat show "Steph’s Packed Lunch," and guest appearances on the comedy panel show "Have I Got News For You." With "The Big Deal," she shifts her focus to art, drawing on her personal background. McGovern’s father, Eamonn McGovern, is a professional Irish artist, whose work and environment influenced her appreciation for the arts from an early age.

The new series features seven pairs of contestants who buy and sell artworks in Britain’s £8 billion contemporary art industry. Participants aim to establish themselves as successful dealers by sourcing, negotiating, and selling pieces from emerging and established artists. Each week, the team with the lowest profits faces elimination, with decisions made by art expert Cordelia de Freitas alongside a guest mentor. The series culminates in a £50,000 art prize awarded to the winning team.

The opening episode involves the teams working with graduates of the Royal College of Art, from which McGovern’s father also graduated. Contestants must select artists to represent, negotiate reserve prices, and auction the works. Contestants who build meaningful relationships with artists and effectively communicate the stories behind the pieces typically perform better, McGovern explained, challenging assumptions that formal qualifications or social status are decisive factors in art dealing.

Subsequent episodes put teams through various challenges, including sourcing art for luxury homes, selling limited edition prints at a fair in Margate, curating collections for a cruise ship, and marketing art online. The finale features a pitch of a sculpture by Austrian artist Erwin Wurm at London’s Frieze art fair. The winner is chosen based on the strength of their sales pitch to industry insiders.

Unlike typical reality business shows that often emphasize failure, McGovern noted that "The Big Deal" focuses on preparing contestants for success, with actual financial stakes involved. Teams earn real commissions based on their transactions, giving the competition an authentic commercial edge.

This series marks McGovern’s debut as a solo presenter of a primetime entertainment show. She has previously co-hosted consumer-focused programs and participated in reality competitions including "The Masked Dancer" and "Celebrity Bear Hunt." Beyond television, she published her first novel, "Deadline," in 2025.

Though McGovern expressed disappointment over the cancellation of her Channel 4 chat show in 2023, she remains adaptable in her career, embracing diverse projects linked to her interests in finance, art, and storytelling. She also addressed the challenges of public scrutiny, acknowledging online criticism while emphasizing her confidence in her expertise rather than appearance.

"The Big Deal" begins airing at 8 p.m. on August 13 across BBC2 and BBC Northern Ireland.