Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Banijay Group is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay Group is present in 16 territories.
Comments Off on The London TV Screenings Announces Initial Line Up of 29 Distributors
The London TV Screenings today announces that 29 distributors will take part in its 2024 schedule from Monday 26 February to Friday 1 March. The figure is already an increase on the total number of participating distributors in 2023, with a rise in the number of internationally-headquartered companies heading to London to showcase content to buyers.
The four founding distributors, All3Media International, Banijay, Fremantle and ITV Studios, will be joined by: Abacus Media Rights, Beta Film GmbH, Blue Ant Media, BossaNova Media, Cineflix Rights, DCD Rights, Dogwoof, Eccho Rights, Federation Studios, FIFTH SEASON, Fox Entertainment Global, Hat Trick International, Keshet International, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal Formats, Newen Connect, Off the Fence, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Passion Distribution, Red Arrow Studios International, Sony Pictures Television, STUDIOCANAL, TVF International, Viaplay Content Distribution and Warner Bros. International Television Production, with each set to deliver a compelling mix of scripted, non-scripted and format buyers events.
A London TV Screenings spokesperson said: “The London TV Screenings 2024 is set to be even bigger than the 2023 event, which is no mean feat in these challenging times. Having been a ‘must-attend’ for London-headquartered distributors for many years, the event is now warmly welcoming more participants from overseas, so it is really becoming a pivotal moment in the calendar that will continue to grow and evolve from one year to the next.” The third annual event in 2023 attracted 28 studios/distributors, an 87% increase on the 2022 edition, and more than 500 international buyers.
The fourth annual Screenings will again see the group of leading distributors working together to offer expertly curated sessions, exclusive first looks and “deep dives” into some of the most hotly-anticipated formats, scripted and non-scripted content – as well as the chance to connect with world-class on and off-screen talent.
Comments Off on Banijay Productions France and W9 Say “I Do” to Save the Date
Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay today announces Banijay Productions France will produce Save The Date for W9, part of M6 Group. Originally created by Endemol Shine Israel, and first produced by Endemol Shine Finland, this is the fourth iteration of the dating social experiment internationally.
Singles who want to get married entrust their love destiny to the voice of their heart, setting their wedding date even before they’ve found their chosen one. Presented with a limited amount of time, they will do anything in their power to prepare for their wedding, and, above all, find their true love and say “I Do”.
Banijay format Save the Date has already been successfully adapted in Finland and Portugal, where the first series was the number one programme in its slot, and the German version, produced by EndemolShine Germany, will seen launch on VOX.
Florence Fayard, CEO of Banijay Productions comments: “Brimming with sincerity, hope, magic and humour, Save the Date perfectly fits our storytelling DNA. We’ve seen our locally-created hits like Good Luck Guys or The Fifty travel the world, and it’s exciting to now bring a popular global format to French audiences. This show promises an extraordinary human, life-changing and emotionally-charged experience, as singles passionately pursue finding their dream partner to marry. We set dates for goals, so why not take charge of our love destiny the same way.”
Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations says: “We’re witnessing the latest travelling success, with Save the Date embarking on its fourth international adventure, proving the appetite for love and dating formats continues. Weddings are high-stake events and this part social-experiment, part reality show invites viewers onto the singles’ journeys with all the suspense, romance, and drama you’d expect. Not to mention it has proven success with a couple from the Finnish season recently celebrating their one-year wedding anniversary.”
This format adds to Banijay Productions France’s premium non-scripted slate of global adaptations and locally-created hits which have all sold internationally. This includes reality series Party Workers, which has enjoyed over 20 seasons for W9 and has recently sold to Germany; Good Luck Guys, which has had seven versions produced to date; and The Fifty, which has been adapted for the German and US Hispanic market.
Comments Off on Banijay UK acquires leading scripted producer The Forge
Banijay UK today announced its acquisition of leading scripted independent producer, The Forge.
The Marriage,Help and Becoming Elizabeth producer, which has a well-established reputation for high quality, ambitious and award-winning TV drama, joins the Banijay UK stable of companies with immediate effect following completion of the acquisition deal.
The Forge currently has multiple, high profile new titles for both linear and SVOD platforms in production, including a major, 8 part series The Buccaneers for Apple TV+, due to launch globally on November 8; 4 part Disney + series Shardlake by Stephen Butchard (The Last Kingdom) due to release next year; factual drama about the Grenfell disaster by Peter Kosminsky (Undeclared War, Government Inspector, Wolf Hall) for BBC One; youth-skewing drama series for BBC Three that will film next year and Generation Z, a six part series and the first original TV project from Ben Wheatley (The Meg II, Sightseers, Kill List) currently shooting for Channel 4.
This acquisition will bolster Banijay UK’s scripted output and bring the number of scripted labels under the Banijay UK umbrella to nine including wholly owned labels Kudos, Tiger Aspect and Wild Mercury.
Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said of the deal; “I have been a massive admirer of The Forge since its inception. George Faber, Mark Pybus, Beth Willis and George Ormond have together grown one of the most ambitious and exciting drama slates in the UK. With a commitment to the most distinctive authorship, a desire to make shows of the highest quality and a creative commitment to make drama that appeals to broad audiences. The Forge is an extraordinary group of talented producers. We are so delighted that they have chosen Banijay UK as their partners for their next chapter of growth and can’t wait for them to join the other brilliant companies in the group.”
George Faber, Founder of The Forge added; “We’re thrilled to be going into partnership with Banijay, a company whose culture and values feel like a great fit for The Forge. We’re ambitious for the next stage of our growth and we believe that Banijay’s superb distribution arm, production expertise, management team and global reach will help us chart an exciting path to the future.”
The Forge boasts an impressive slate of titles including National Treasure (C4), Ackley Bridge (C4), The Miniaturist (BBC), Kiri (C4), Help (C4), Marriage (BBC), Becoming Elizabeth (Starz), Collateral (BBC), Rules of the Game (BBC), Roadkill (BBC) and many more.
They have collaborated with writers Jack Thorne, Anya Reiss, Stefan Golaszewski, Katherine Jakeways, Ayub Khan Din, Ben Wheatley, David Hare, Peter Moffat, Levi David Addai, Janice Okoh and Stephen Butchard amongst many others.
The Forge also has a reputation for showcasing some of the industry’s leading talent and has worked with Jodie Comer, Stephen Graham, Sarah Lancashire, Sean Bean, Nicola Walker, Carey Mulligan, Hugh Laurie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Babou Ceesay, Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters. Upcoming series, The Buccaneers stars a number of widely popular actors including Kristine Frøseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag and Imogen Waterhouse, alongside Christina Hendricks and Mia Threapleton.
The company has picked up a wealth of awards for its programmes, including the BAFTA for Mini-Series (National Treasure) and the International Emmy for Best TV Movie (Help).
This deal includes a first look deal for Banijay Rights.
The Forge’s senior creative team include Founder and Managing Director, George Faber, Mark Pybus (Executive Producer/ Head of Business Affairs), Beth Willis (Executive Producer) and George Ormond (Executive Producer). Their collective experience and stellar track record make them trusted partners for top writers, directors, agents, and broadcasters alike.
Faber, having run single drama at BBC for several years, co-founded Company Pictures producing the likes of Shameless, Wild at Heart and Skins before setting up The Forge. Mark, also previously at Company Pictures, has a background in Business Affairs but has also produced a raft of high-profile shows including Wolf Hall for BBC. In her role as Head of Drama at Channel 4, Beth commissioned The End of the Fucking World, Humans, and No Offence before joining The Forge; George Ormond was previously an Executive Producer at the BBC, where he developed a raft of shows including BBC’s 2016 adaptation of War and Peace. He also produced Sarah Phelp’s Bafta and Emmy award winning Great Expectations.
The Forge were advised by Tom Manwaring at Helion Partners.
Comments Off on Secret Story Returns to France with TF1
Banijay France today announces the long-awaited return of Secret Story, a format within the Big Brotheruniverse, on TF1. Produced by Endemol France, the widely popular reality TV show will be back next year after a six-year hiatus, with casting underway.
Secret Story was first introduced to French audiences in 2007, airing for 11 seasons and almost 1000 episodes. A 15-year anniversary special in 2022 confirmed a great appetite for its return. More recently, the format has also been adapted in Spain and Portugal.
Jean-Louis Blot, CEO of Endemol France says: “Entertaining viewers is in our DNA, and we are excited to creatively grow Secret Story for its comeback, introducing it to a new generation of fans, while celebrating the time-tested success of this ever-evolving format. TF1 is a great partner and we enjoyed revitalising the resoundingly popular classic format Star Academy for them, and we are poised to harness our expertise to take Secret Story to new heights.”
Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay adds: “As part of the expansive Big Brotheruniverse, Secret Story is well-placed to make a successful return to French television, bringing this hugely entertaining, original reality format to a fresh wave of viewers. This is a format that delivers drama and audiences; with Jean-Louis and Endemol France at the helm, enthusiastic reality fans and TF1 viewers can expect a must-watch, unmissable series.”
To date, Big Brother, a Banijay format, has had 67 adaptations, broadcast across 72 countries, with over 550 seasons and 36,000 episodes. Last year alone, it enjoyed its most successful year ever globally with 33 productions airing across 26 markets. Big Brother recently made a highly-anticipated return in the UK on ITV with 3.4 million viewers tuning in to the debut episode, making it the highest launch for the format since 2010.
Endemol France, part of Banijay France, is a non-scripted powerhouse having produced recent hits such as Star Academy which will be airing its second season in November, LEGO® Masters, Celebrity Hunted, LOL: Last One Laughing, and Drag Race France.
Comments Off on Banijay Kids & Family Partners with tonies®
Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces the launch of its first tonies® figurine in French, inspired by the animated series, Mumfie.
The new figurine welcomes listeners to Dream Island, the home of Mumfie. Babou the Whale invites them to relax before listening to a story of Mumfie and his friends. Each story makes for a 2-part bedtime ritual, where relaxation and fiction intertwine.
Annick Bizet, New Business & Strategic Alliances Director says: “The Toniebox has established itself as a must-have item for young children all around the world. As home to some of the biggest brands in the kids market, Banijay Kids & Family has a wealth of IP that aligns with tonies®’ vision, and we look forward to growing this partnership.”
Preschool comedy series Mumfie, is a co-production between Zodiak Kids and Family France and Italian animation studio Animoka, alongside France Télévisions and Rai. Based on Britt Allcroft’s Magic Adventures of Mumfie, the series features the optimistic young elephant, alongside his best friends, Pinkey the flying pig and Jelly Bean the colour-changing jellyfish. Meeting an eclectic array of animal friends along the way, the trio embark on a series of adventures. In a world where nothing is quite as it seems, no challenge is too tough for the loveable Mumfie and his friends to overcome.
The Toniebox is a real sound theatre that takes little ones, from 3-years-old, on great audio adventures as soon as they put a figurine called “Tonie” on it. Fantastic stories, timeless tales, exciting adventures, sleep support or educational games… there is something for everyone! Much more than a story box, it is a comforting partner who accompanies children at all stages of their development, according to their needs.
Banijay Kids & Family’s collective of first-class producers and talent is behind some of the biggest kids brands in the world. As brand builders and experts at amplifying IP, it delivers creative and impactful 360 brand strategies for its shows.
Comments Off on Banijay UK backs Sir Lenny Henry’s new scripted start-up ‘Esmerelda Productions’
Banijay UK today announced its investment in Esmerelda, the new production venture from actor, comedian and writer Sir Lenny Henry.
Building on the highly anticipated launch of Three Little Birds for ITV written by Sir Lenny Henry – and executive produced by Russell T Davies and Tiger Aspect’s Lucy Bedford – the new scripted start-up will focus on broad appeal drama and comedy, with an emphasis on working with under-represented writers, cast and crew.
BAFTA-winning executive producer, writer and director, Jon Sen, joins Sir Lenny as Joint Managing Director. Most recently, Jon was an executive producer and development executive at BBC Studios, where he also helmed Casualty and EastEnders.
The investment, via the Banijay UK Growth Fund, will enable Esmerelda to build both its team and slate. The deal includes a first look with distributor, Banijay Rights.
Sir Lenny Henry said;
“Building up to this announcement has been such a roller coaster ride of keeping my nose to the grindstone and my mouth shut. I am so proud that Banijay have seen fit to invest in us. I can’t wait to scheme and dream with my new, soon to be announced, team at Esmerelda led by the mighty Jon Sen, who is not only a talented producer but also an excellent writer and director…“
Patrick Holland said;
“We are so delighted to announce this investment in Esmerelda Productions. Sir Lenny Henry is both a national treasure and a creative legend in his own lifetime and, together with the brilliant Jon Sen, has plans for an ambitious scripted slate. Building on the excellence of Sir Lenny’s drama Three Little Birds (made in conjunction with Tiger Aspect for ITV) the label will bring story telling from a wide range of diverse authorship to broad audiences. Banijay UK is so proud to be chosen as their creative and business partner.”
Jon Sen added;
“Lenny and I are united in our commitment to offer artists a nurturing environment in order for them to celebrate their unique voices. Our shared love of the magic of story makes this a wonderfully exciting opportunity to make some exceptional drama.”
Sir Lenny Henry founded the production company Douglas Road in 2014 which was backed by Endemol Shine (acquired by Banijay in 2020).
Sir Lenny Henry stands down from his role of CEO of Douglas Road to focus on Esmerelda, with Managing Director Angela Ferreira continuing to run the business.
This deal is part of the Banijay UK £50m Banijay UK Growth Fund which allows the UK group to partner in high profile talent as well as investing in new businesses, to supercharge growth.
This is the eighth Growth Fund deal to be announced since it was launched in February 2023. Previous investments include Rabbit Track; the production company co-founded by film, TV and stage actor James Norton and scripted executive Kitty Kaletsky; new scripted company Conker Pictures from ex Apple+ and BBC Commissioners, Kim Varvell and Tommy Bulfin and North Wales based start-up, Ty’r Ddraig. Talent deals include a first look with scripted producer, Chris Sussman, a multi project deal with Scottish documentary director and producer Kevin Macdonald and a development deal with Big Zuu and his company Big Productions.
Victoria Kimber of Danworth Associates assisted Esmerelda in arranging and negotiating the partnership, with Wiggin LLP providing legal advice to Sir Lenny on the transaction, Lee and Thompson LLP advising Jon Sen and Simon Muirhead and Burton LLP acting for Banijay UK.
Comments Off on Banijay Brands Confirms UK Version of Big Brother: The Game
Banijay Brands, the commercial arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces the popular mobile reality title, Big Brother: The Game, has been released as a localised version in the UK. Big Brother returned to UK screens, Sunday 8th October, launching across ITV1, STV, ITV2 and ITVX.
Developed by leading studio 9th Impact, the game, which is also in its third instalment, has captivated over half a million players, offering the opportunity to experience the thrill of living in iconic Big Brother houses; auditioning, competing in challenges, and forming virtual alliances to navigate the pitfalls of housemate nominations and evictions.
The UK game, supported by ITV, will run until 30th June 2024. The skill of the game is social, psychological, and interpersonal, and there is a real-life prize fund up for grabs, with the ultimate winner scooping £20,000.
Lex Scott, Commercial Director, Gaming & Gambling at Banijay Brands says: “We have seen a growing community of fans of this ground-breaking game, since the first launch in 2020. To now launch a UK specific version, alongside its eagerly awaited return to screens, supported by ITV, is testament to the strength of the game and the power of the Big Brother brand.”
Mark Quick, Director, 9th Impact added: “Big Brother is iconic, and it’s a delight to be able to bring this title to more fans around the world. We’re extremely passionate about delivering a game experience that reflects what the fans love so much about the show.”
Banijay’s Big Brother format has had 67 adaptations, broadcast across 72 countries, with over 550 seasons and 36,000 episodes.
In the UK Big Brother is produced by Banijay’s Initial. It is commissioned for ITV2 and ITVX by Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning & Acquisitions and Controller, ITV2 and ITVBe, and Peter Tierney, Commissioning Editor, Reality. It is overseen by Initial’s Managing Director Katy Manley and Creative Director Tamsin Dodgson. Big Brother will be executive produced by Colin Whitaker, Jess Thomas and Matt Green for Initial. Big Brother: Late & Live will be executive produced by Rhe-an Archibald for Initial.
Comments Off on Banijay Unveils Global Accelerator Program Banijay Launch to Support Emerging Women Unscripted Creators
Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today launches a brand-new global accelerator program, designed to exclusively support women creators with promising unscripted formats. Unveiled at a prestigious breakfast in Cannes for MIPCOM 2023, Banijay Launch is geared towards discovering and incubating untapped talent, to support the next generation of global franchise makers.
Initiated by Sharon Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine North America, and co-led by James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development at Banijay, Banijay Launch will provide a selected women mentorship by Banijay’s global collective of creatives to aid them in developing bold new formats from concept to pitch to sale, thereby supercharging the group’s burgeoning pipeline.
Conceived as an enterprise-level strategy to address gender inequity and fuel creativity, Banijay Launch will seek out undiscovered formats with international appeal, from an incredible pool of undiscovered women across the globe, providing a new opportunity for Banijay to further diversify both its talent and IP worldwide.
Banijay Launch was inspired by the Propelle program, a female-focused accelerator initiative created and developed in 2020 by Everywoman Studios’ CEO, Abby Greensfelder. With Levy and Endemol Shine North America partnering for two consecutive years with Everywoman Studios and Realscreen on the program, the pair have established a long-standing working relationship. Greensfelder consulted on the creation of Banijay Launch and will join the judging panel for the initiative’s inaugural year.
To support the program, Banijay Americas has commissioned a first-of-its-kind study with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, in partnership with Everywoman Studios. The institute is the only global data-driven, non-profit that researches diversity, equity, and inclusion onscreen in media and entertainment to mitigate unconscious bias, while fostering inclusion, and systematically reducing negative stereotyping. The ground-breaking study will investigate women’s inclusion in creative leadership roles in unscripted production across four distinct territories: Brazil, the U.K. and U.S., and one EU territory to be determined.
How it works? Banijay will first select the top three to five finalists who will be mentored by a local creative (names disclosed in notes to editors) to develop their formats, with the aim of nurturing them to screen. The competition will culminate with a live pitch presentation before a judging panel led by Levy and Townley. Fellow judges include Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay; Pilar Blasco, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Iberia; and Abby Greensfelder, Founder and CEO of Everywoman Studios. A winner will be crowned during London Screenings 2024.
Sharon Levy, CEO, Endemol Shine North America comments: “As a group, Banijay is constantly exploring new ways to support the broader content community, diversify its pipeline and ultimately, sharpen its creative edge. With an undisputed track record of travelling IP, expansive cross-territory network of first-class producers, and industry-leading unscripted infrastructure led by Creative Networks, the business is primed to open its doors to yet-to-be-discovered creative minds. Through Banijay Launch, and the partnership with the Geena Davis Institute, we hope to welcome women creators who may be struggling to have their voices heard, setting a new narrative for the industry, and fostering the next generation of break-out unscripted formats.”
Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay comments: “We are proud at Banijay to have over 50% of our managerial positions globally filled by women. However, we recognise the landscape has not always supported this demographic of creators in breaking through. With Banijay Launch, we are vested in spearheading a raft of new unscripted format ideas, ideated by women, and in doing so, we hope to bring new voices and talent to the market, with the potential of creating the next Survivor, MasterChef, or Big Brother…”
The initiative will capitalise on the infrastructure and expertise of Creative Networks, Banijay’s central unscripted content department co-led by Townley and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights Secures Marie Antoinette’s Return to BBC
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and content powerhouse Banijay, today announces UK public broadcaster the BBC has pre-bought the second series of landmark historical drama Marie Antoinette.
The CANAL+ Creation Originale, produced by Capa Drama, Banijay Studios France and Beside Productions will once again air on BBC Two and iPlayer following an agreement negotiated by Chris Stewart, SVP Sales, UK & Eire, Banijay Rights. The deal follows CANAL+’s second series order of the Banijay and Newen drama in March, with filming now underway.
Created by Deborah Davis, the new 8 x 60’ series of Marie Antoinette continues the extraordinary story of the incredibly modern and avant-garde young queen, played by Emilia Schüle (Ku’damm 56/ 63), with Louis Cunningham (Bridgerton) as the king of France, Louis XVI.
At the height of their power, while Marie Antoinette and Louis face an unprecedented financial crisis, the incessant attacks of Provence and Chartres against the royal couple stir up the hatred of the nobles while disastrous consequences are looming with infamous Affair of the Diamond Necklace incident. From Versailles to the Palais-Royal, the revolt rumbles…
Marie Antoinette’s first series has been sold to broadcasters in more than 147 territories, including PBS Distribution in the US, BBC First in Australia and BBC Two and iPlayer in the UK, and a raft of broadcasters across Europe and Latin America.
Chris Stewart, SVP Sales, UK & Eire, Banijay Rights, said: “Extraordinary performances, enigmatic writing and high-quality production values are just some of the reasons Marie Antoinette has proved popular with buyers worldwide. With another series now being filmed, we’re delighted the BBC is on board again to take this fascinating portrayal of France’s most iconic queen to UK viewers.”
Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisitions, BBC, said: “Following the great success of series one, we are delighted to return to Versailles for the next entertaining chapter in the eventful life of the charismatic and captivating Marie Antoinette.”
Marie Antoinette is produced by Claude Chelli and Margaux Balsan for Capa Drama, Stéphanie Chartreux for Banijay Studios France. The season two writing team is led by Louise Ironside, joined by Charlotte Wolf, Francesca Forristal and Andrew Bampfield. Ed Bazalgette will direct the first four episodes, while Raf Reyntjens will direct the remaining four.
Comments Off on Cris Abrego and Eva Longoria Join Forces to Launch Hyphenate Media Group
Leading entertainment executive and entrepreneur Cris Abrego and celebrated director, producer, and activist Eva Longoria announced today that they have formed a new media holding company and premium content studio, Hyphenate Media Group. The new venture will invest in creator-led enterprises as well as develop and produce its own slate of original programming. Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria will serve as its Chief Creative Officer. Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, led by Chairman Stéphane Courbit and CEO Marco Bassetti, where Abrego has served as Chairman of the Americas since 2020, has made a strategic investment in the new business to accelerate its growth.
The announcement was made by Abrego and Longoria during a dedicated keynote at MIPCOM Cannes: The Future of Content: What Comes Next?
Collaborators for twenty years, Abrego and Longoria have identified a number of creator-led enterprises with proven leadership and the potential to scale and will dedicate the initial phase of Hyphenate Media Group’s growth to building out its portfolio of partners. As the industry finds itself at an inflection point, Hyphenate offers an alternative model, supporting creator-entrepreneurs as they build their own production companies and develop a slate of projects to sell independently. The new venture will drive the creative output and deal-making capacity of each partnered company through capital investment, brand development, and the collaborative advantage and infrastructure provided by Hyphenate’s core leadership team.
With an eye towards capturing the rapidly evolving marketplace, which is driven by an ever younger and more diverse audience, Hyphenate Media Group will leverage its co-founders’ commitment to address the industry’s urgent demand for ground-breaking premium content with an inclusive approach and broad appeal. As a destination for visionary multi-hyphenate creator-entrepreneurs, Hyphenate is poised to provide the entertainment industry with a business solution by enabling a multiplicity of connections to audiences around its different brands.
To jumpstart its own independent studio function, Hyphenate Media Group has acquired the full slate of UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, the independent production label founded by Longoria in 2005 and behind titles such as Telenovela, Grand Hotel, and Searching for Mexico. UnbeliEVAble Entertainment projects will be folded into the core operations of the new business, with Hyphenate taking over and advancing the entire lineup as well as developing new scripted and unscripted programs. Its first title, Apple TV+’s Land of Women, is expected to be released in 2024. Both Abrego and Longoria will produce exclusively for the new company, and all television projects directed by Longoria will be produced under the new banner.
Abrego and Longoria are currently in negotiations with several key executives and anticipate announcing their leadership team later this year.
Cris Abrego, Co-Founder and CEO, Hyphenate Media Group: “With Hyphenate Media Group, Eva and I are building an engine for culture-defining content by investing in visionary multi-hyphenate artists and providing these extraordinary creative leaders with the resources and infrastructure they need to scale their businesses. Through capital, brand development, and the leadership provided by Hyphenate, we will drive their creative output, enhance their deal-making capacity, and grow their brands, building franchises driven by original IP. Over the course of my career, I have scaled multiple production studios, starting with my own and, more recently, on behalf of Banijay. I have known Stéphane and Marco for many years, and I am grateful to count on their support and investment in this next chapter.”
Eva Longoria, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Hyphenate Media Group: “With Hyphenate Media Group, Cris and I are leveraging the power of the creative industry’s greatest resource, the multi-hyphenate, to help meet audiences and the industry where they are. We are answering the industry’s call for premium inclusive content with broad appeal and an undeniable point of view. Our intention is to provide greater financial participation for makers, creators, talent, and entrepreneurs – the Hyphenates. Given the multiple transformations that our business is undergoing, I cannot think of a better time to lean into makers, who are the essential drivers of the creative enterprise.”
Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay: “Hyphenate Media Group is a studio with a truly unique perspective. Combining Cris’ standout creative leadership with Eva’s reputation as a celebrated producer, director, and activist, this is a powerful home where multi-hyphenate voices can truly tell inclusive mainstream stories. And, with an ambitious vision, unrivaled credentials, and an impressive growth trajectory, this marks the perfect first strategic investment for us in the U.S. scripted market; a space we’d explored for some time but never, until now, found the right fit to cut through.”
Renowned as an entrepreneur, entertainment executive, award-winning producer, showrunner, and philanthropist, Abrego serves as Chairman of the Americas for media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay. He previously served as CEO of Endemol Shine Holdings, where he grew the company aggressively by scaling several acquisitions under its banner, including Endemol Shine Boomdog, Endemol Shine Brasil, and Truly Original. As co-founder and CEO of 51 Minds Entertainment in 2003, Abrego was one of the pioneers of the celeb-reality genre with breakthrough unscripted formats such as The Surreal Life and the many spin-offs it generated. He grew that company from its boutique beginnings to be a major unscripted studio acquired by Endemol five years later. Abrego also serves as Chair of the Television Academy Foundation, the charitable pro-social arm of the Television Academy, and as a member of the Executive Committee for the Television Academy.
Celebrated globally for her breadth of work in front of and behind the camera, Longoria founded production company UnbeliEVAble Entertainment in 2005, soon after her breakthrough onscreen role on Desperate Housewives. The prolific company has since been behind hits including Grand Hotel (ABC), Telenovela (NBC), the Emmy Award-nominated documentary Reversing Row (Netflix), and the celebrated culinary docuseries Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico (CNN), distributed by Banijay Rights and available at MIPCOM 2023. Named by Variety as one of its “Directors To Watch” in 2023, Longoria made her feature directorial debut with the critically and audience-acclaimed Flamin’ Hot, released earlier this year by Searchlight Pictures on Disney+ and Hulu. The film was Searchlights Pictures’ most streamed premiere ever. Longoria also directed and produced the Sundance-premiered and critically acclaimed documentary La Guerra Civil, chronicling the historic bout between boxing legends Oscar de la Hoya and Julio César Chávez, which will be released by DAZN in 2024. A dedicated philanthropist and activist, she has consistently lent her voice to a range of key issues, including diversity and inclusion in the media, Latina entrepreneurship, and STEM education.
Cris Abrego remains Chairman of Americas for Banijay alongside his role of Co-Founder and CEO, Hyphenate Media Group.
About Hyphenate Media Group
Led by entertainment executive and entrepreneur Cris Abrego (Co-Founder and CEO) and celebrated director, producer, and activist Eva Longoria (Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer), Hyphenate Media Group is a new media holding company and premium content studio that aims to capture audiences through ground-breaking and culture-defining content.
In addition to developing and producing its own slate of original scripted and unscripted programs, Hyphenate invests in creator-led production companies, scaling these enterprises through capital investment, brand development, and the infrastructure and collaborative advantage provided by Hyphenate’s core leadership team.
To jumpstart its own studio function, Hyphenate acquired the full slate of UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, the independent production label founded by Longoria in 2005 and behind titles such as Telenovela, Grand Hotel, and Searching for Mexico. Hyphenate’s first title, Apple TV+’s Land of Women, is expected to be released in 2024.
About Banijay
Launched in 2008, media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, is home to over 130 production companies across 21 territories, a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 180,000 hours of original standout programming, and a complementary live entertainment business – Banijay Events.
Imagining and delivering high-quality, multi-genre IP that was born locally and travels globally, the business offers the best stories told the best way, and represents some of the biggest global brands in the market including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, MasterChef, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Mr Bean, Love Triangle, Hunted, The Summit, Black Mirror, Blow Up!, and Starstruck among others.
Built on independence, creative freedom, collaborative entrepreneurialism, and commercial acumen, the company, operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti. It is under his leadership, the business has grown to reach €3.2bn in revenues and €472m in EBITDA for 2022.
Comments Off on Scenery Partners with Sarah Jessica Parker and Banijay Rights on Front Row
Scenery, a joint venture with Banijay Benelux, today announces it is partnering with Sarah Jessica Parker’s Pretty Matches Productions on Front Row, a feature-length premium documentary following a group of talented Ukrainian ballet dancers, produced in collaboration with Banijay Rights. The Emmy-award winning producer and actress will serve, alongside The Ruderman Foundation, as Executive Producer with Scenery (Human Playground for Netflix) producing.
Front Row is directed by Miriam Guttmann (multi-award-winning director of Seeds of Deceit) and is represented globally by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay.
In this extraordinary feature, Guttmann follows a group of Ukrainian dancers in exile, as they form a new ballet company, ‘United Ukrainian Ballet’. While performing Alexei Ratmanskiy’s version of ‘Giselle’ in Washington D.C., Alexis, one of the leading ballet dancers, befriends Oleksandr, a front-line soldier, who lost both his legs in battle on the Ukrainian border with Russia. A friendship forms and Oleksandr is welcomed into the rest of the ballet company. Subsequently joining the ballet company, he remains even more determined to dance with his disability.
A tale of adversity, the devastation of war remains evident through video calls between the dancers and their families back home, contributing to a deep sense of survival guilt among the dancers, especially given Oleksandr’s condition. Through collaborative choreography and performances, the Front Row, and the front line, symbolically merge, emphasising the strength and resilience of everyone involved.
Sarah Jessica Parker is an award-winning actor, producer, and businesswoman. Parker starred as Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO television series Sex and the City (1998-2004), a role she reprised on the HBO Max show And Just Like That which premiered in 2021. Parker served as an executive producer for both series. She recently starred on Broadway opposite her husband, Matthew Broderick, in the revival of one of the great American comedies, ‘Plaza Suite’, which will be showing at London’s Savoy Theatre for the very first time from Wednesday, January 17th through Sunday, March 31st.
Parker also currently serves as a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for the New York City Ballet.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Executive Producer, Pretty Matches Productions: “Front Row puts perseverance and the human condition on display against the punishing backdrop of war. Giving these dancers an international platform to tell their stories through the power, beauty and grit of ballet is a profound honor.”
Isidoor Roebers, Founder and Producer Scenery: “Front Row is set to be a fascinating insight into the world of ballet, showcasing the unwavering determination and dedication of a group of dancers from Ukraine. Front Row is a nuanced and multi-layered piece, giving a sneak peek into an untapped world of dance and adversity. Sarah Jessica’s involvement in the project, thanks to our partnership with CAA, will undoubtedly add an enriching and inspiring dimension, making it an unmissable title for buyers around the globe.”
Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “We were captivated to join Scenery in producing this incredible story from the outset and now with the equally passionate Sarah Jessica Parker on board, we are excited to present this feature documentary to the international market.”
Front Row is made possible with the support of the Netherlands Film Production Incentive and Banijay Rights, which will globally distribute the title. Sarah Jessica Parker and Alison Benson executive produce for Pretty Matches Productions, with co-executive producer Claire Demere and associate producer Gaby Edwards. The film is supported by executive producers The Ruderman Foundation and Bart Meuter.
The film is currently in postproduction and is expected to be complete in early 2024.
The project joins Banijay’s prestigious slate of documentaries unveiled for MIPCOM 2023.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights to represent music documentary features The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process and My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano
Banijay Rights today announces it has the global distribution rights to theatrical feature documentary The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process and feature concert film My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano, as MIPCOM 2023 gets underway this week.
Both films come from powerhouse South Australian team of Oscar-nominated director Scott Hicks and celebrated producers Kerry Heysen and Jett Heysen-Hicks, with their world premieres set for this month’s prestigious Adelaide Film Festival.
The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process explores the power of the musical brain. Inspired by the 25th anniversary of his movie Shine, director Scott Hicks reveals the creative process of elite international musicians, with unprecedented access to their private worlds, processes, and obsessions. The film Shine is the linking device between four musicians /contributors: David Helfgott (subject of the original movie), celebrated musician Ben Folds, Australian rock star Daniel Johns, and Simon Tedeschi, who was hand double for the young David in the original movie.
My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano is a symphonic concert spectacle featuring Emmy award-nominated composer and rock maestro Ben Folds with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The film offers unique coverage of the rock pianist including the remarkable creation of a new song from scratch, live onstage, via audience participation when Folds achieves the extraordinary feat of inducing the crowd to sing a choral refrain in three-part harmony.
Both documentary features are Beyond May 30 Entertainment productions in association with Banijay Rights.
Cathy Payne, CEO, Banijay Rights, said: “These are two unique and highly entertaining premium documentary features that showcase world class musical talent and the inner workings of their craft. Both are excellent additions to our MIPCOM line-up and we’re in no doubt they will be highly sought after by international buyers in Cannes.”
Scott Hicks added:“I’m delighted to be working with Banijay Rights on the release of my latest music-based documentary features, celebrating superstar musicians in their private worlds and exploring their unique creative processes.”
Both features join Banijay’s outstanding slate of titles at MIPCOM including documentary highlights Four Kings (w/t) and Moulin Rouge: Yes We Can Can, as well as The Other Mrs Jordan, Sharon and Ozzy: Home to Roost, Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and The Rise and Fall of Boris Johnson. These autumn highlights complement the 172,000 hours of globally renowned, stand-out IP within Banijay’s catalogue.
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