Comments Off on Studio BRB Signs Development Deal with Endemol Shine North America to Develop Unscripted Social Experiment Format
Studio BRB are thrilled to announce a partnership with Endemol Shine North America, a Banijay Americas company, producers behind the hit series Deal or No Deal Island (NBC), MasterChef (FOX), LEGO Masters (FOX), Ripley (Netflix) and more. Together, the two companies will develop and produce an innovative unscripted social experiment show set to captivate audiences worldwide.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Studio BRB as it expands its footprint in the unscripted television landscape. Known for their creative storytelling and high-quality productions, Studio BRB will bring its unique vision and expertise to this ambitious project, while leveraging Endemol Shine North America’s extensive experience and successful track record in producing hit reality and competition series.
Executive Producer of Studio BRB, Jenni Baynham said: “We are incredibly excited to partner again with our friends at Endemol Shine North America on this groundbreaking project. They bring unmatched experience and creativity that can help us take our projects to the next level.”
Pitching of the new format is set to begin later this summer. The upcoming show promises to deliver compelling content that will attract a broad audience, combining the thrill of a high stakes competition with the intrigue of a social experiment setting.
Comments Off on BUNIM/MURRAY PRODUCTIONS AND TOGETHXR
Bunim/Murray Productions, a division of Banijay Americas, is teaming with leading women’s sports media company TOGETHXR and superstar athletes Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe for a new untitled docu-series, it was announced today by Bunim/Murray Productions President Julie Pizzi and TOGETHXR co-founder and Chief Content Officer Jessica Robertson.
Executive Produced by Bird and Rapinoe, the series will bring audiences beyond the courts and fields and into the lives and relationships of America’s top female athletes. It will follow athletes from the WNBA, NWSL, PWHL and more, along with their families, wives, girlfriends, partners and even their situationships.
With women’s sports more in the spotlight than ever, viewers will go behind-the-scenes
with professional female athletes and their partners, as they navigate the complexities of pro-sports and their relationships off the field. With a focus on the unique dynamics within these leagues, such as relationships between teammates or rivals, the show explores the challenges and triumphs of wins, losses and love as a world class athlete.
The series is being co-developed by Bunim/Murray and TOGETHXR, the media and commerce company founded by leading athletes Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel and Bird. TOGETHXR is the force behind “The Syd and TP Show” (Fubo TV) and “Surf Girls Hawai’i” (Prime Video) and is set to release its latest documentary “Power of the Dream” (Prime Video) later this month.
Bunim/Murray, which produces such hit unscripted series as “Vandperpump Villa” (Hulu), “The Family Stallone”(Paramount+), “The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson” (Lifetime) and “The Challenge” for MTV, CBS and Paramount+, is set to take the untitled series out with TOGETHXR to potential buyers in the coming weeks.
Bunim/Murray’s Steve Ezell (SVP, Current Programming) and Michael Driscoll (VP, Development) are leading development efforts for the studio, along with Jess Robertson (Co-Founder, CCO) and Tina Tozzi (Head of Development) at TOGETHXR
“We believe in the power of sport to tell stories that transcend the game. This series is an opportunity to showcase the incredible journeys of these phenomenal athletes, on and off the field,” said Bird and Rapinoe. “As athletes and partners who share a bond through our love of sports, we’re thrilled to team up with Bunim-Murray and TOGETHXR to bring these stories to life and give fans a deeper look at the lives of the athletes who inspire us all.”
“We couldn’t be more excited and at the same time honored to be teaming with superstars Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe, as well as the talented team at TOGETHXR,” says Bunim/Murray’s Ezell and Driscoll. “This series will take audiences where they have never gone before, behind the scenes with elite professional female athletes and inside their relationships with loved ones, friends and other top sports stars.”
Bird is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and basketball legend, and Rapinoe, a two-time FIFA World Cup winner and soccer icon. Collectively, they have achieved some of the highest honors in their respective sports, becoming role models and advocates for gender equality and social justice.
Comments Off on Endemol Shine Boomdog Named One of Mexico’s Best Companies to Work For By Great Place To Work®
Endemol Shine Boomdog, a Banijay Americas company, has been certified and ranked by Great Place To Work® as one of the best companies to work for in Mexico in 2024. This marks the second consecutive year that they have received this recognition.
As the largest entertainment production company in Mexico and the U.S. Hispanic market, Endemol Shine Boomdog placed 16th among multinational companies with 50 to 500 employees. This represents a significant improvement from its 34th ranking in the same category the previous year.
The company’s commitment to respect, employee well-being, and a positive work environment contributed to its high ranking. Employees praised the flexibility to work from home, the pet-friendly environment, and various benefits and perks. The final national and sector-specific rankings will be disclosed by Great Place to Work® at a later date.
Ignacio José Rincón, Senior Vice President of Planning and Strategy at Endemol Shine Boomdog and who leads the Human Resources department, said: “It is extremely gratifying to have Endemol Shine Boomdog recognized as one of the best places to work in Mexico for the second consecutive year by Great Place To Work®. We strive to provide an environment where team members can perform at their best at all levels and feel supported, appreciated and that their contributions are valued.”
Since its establishment in 2017, Endemol Shine Boomdog has prioritized diversity, equality, and inclusion, making social responsibility a core part of their DNA.
Comments Off on A New Comedy Created By Greg Daniels And Michael Koman Has Been Picked Up To Series At Peacock
A new comedy from NBC’s The Office adapterGreg Daniels and Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman has been picked up to series at Peacock. The Untitled Daniels/Koman project is a new mockumentary series set in the same universe as NBC’s Emmy Award-winning hit series The Office.
Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Ex-Machina) and Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus) will lead an ensemble cast when the series begins production in July.
The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters. The series is produced by Universal Television.
“It’s been more than ten years since the final episode of The Office aired on NBC, and the acclaimed comedy series continues to gain popularity and build new generations of fans on Peacock,” said Lisa Katz, President, NBC Universal Entertainment, “In partnership with Universal Television and led by the creative team of Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, this new series set in the universe of Dunder Mifflin introduces a new cast of characters in a fresh setting ripe for comedic storytelling: a daily newspaper.”
The series is executive produced by Daniels and Koman along with Ricky Gervais, Steve Merchant, Howard Klein, Ben Silverman and Banijay Americas (formerly Reveille).
Comments Off on Truly Original Sets Overall Deal With Award-Winning Prodco “THE CINEMART”
Emmy® Award-winning producers Steven Weinstock and Glenda Hersh, executive producers and co-CEOs of prolific prodco Truly Original, a Banijay Americas company, today announced they have forged an overall deal with lauded entertainment studio The Cinemart. Run by Co-CEOs and producing partners Julia WilloughbyNason and Michael Gasparro, New York-based The Cinemart has long been known for its groundbreaking, award-winning series and features that explore powerful, complex stories and bring important social issues to light.
Through the deal with Truly Original, The Cinemart will expand its development and production operations in premium documentaries and other genres of unscripted programming.
In 2023, The Cinemart released Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets on Amazon and two seasons of Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal on Netflix, all three of which were the #1 television series on their respective streaming service.
The Cinemart was founded in 2011 by Nason, executive producer of feature documentary Welcome to Leith, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival before airing on PBS and earning Nason an Emmy nomination. In 2017, The Cinemart first partnered with producer and showrunner Michael Gasparro to create and produce two docuseries with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Roc Nation as producers: the Peabody Award-winning Time: The Kalief Browder Story for Spike TV (now Paramount) and the Emmy Award-winning Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story for Paramount. Nason served as director, producer and writer for both projects.
Following their initial success, Nason and Gasparro partnered on a string of critically acclaimed and top-rated projects for which The Cinemart is known, including Hulu’s Emmy-nominated Fyre Fraud, Netflix’s The Pharmacist, and Amazon’s hit series LuLaRich (Nason served as producer, director and writer on those series, and Gasparro served as showrunner and producer). In 2023, the team also co-directed and produced for Netflix season two of Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.
Said Weinstock and Hersh in a joint statement, “The Cinemart produces some of the highest-quality and thought-provoking content on television, driven by their unique aesthetic and superb taste. We’re delighted they chose to set up shop at Truly Original and are eager to partner to help expand their reach across premium doc and other unscripted programming.”
Added Truly Original’s Head of Development, Chachi Senior, “I’m thrilled to be working closely with Mike and Julia, and our development teams are genuinely compatible and creatively aligned – that will result in some exciting and provocative offerings for buyers across all key platforms.”
Nason and Gasparro said, “Truly Original’s impressive record of consistent and enduring success drew us to collaborate with them, and we know that deep expertise will help accelerate our own work in the premium docuseries space. We believe our respective teams bring complementary skills and experiences to the table which we’re all excited to capitalize on in the months ahead.”
Comments Off on Banijay Estúdios Opens in São Paulo as the Largest Independent Audiovisual Production Complex in Latin America
Banijay, the world’s largest group in content production and distribution, announces the opening of Banijay Estúdios in Brazil, the largest independent audiovisual production complex in Latin America. Spanning over 60,000 square meters, the facility was envisioned by Ben Samek, CEO of Banijay Americas, Laurens Drillich, President of Endemol Shine Latino, and Nani Freitas, CEO of Endemol Shine Brasil.
The complex also includes an extensive green area and three studios with the following sizes: Studio A, with 3,434m2; Studio B, with 6,383m2; and Studio C, with 1,094m2. Compared to the largest studio in one of São Paulo’s most renowned complexes (1,211 square meters), Banijay Estúdios stands out due to its size.
Furthermore, the complex offers a variety of options for productions of all sizes, whether they are audiovisual or various types of events. The new facility is located in Guarulhos, just a few kilometers from São Paulo’s international airport. Since the beginning of the year, the complex has hosted projects from major TV networks and streaming services.
“The launch of Banijay Estúdios in Brazil marks a significant event for the country’s audiovisual market. This initiative highlights our commitment to the development and enhancement of the Brazilian film industry. The complex provides high-quality facilities for audiovisual productions, fostering collaboration between local and international talents. We are eager to contribute to the diversity and excellence of content produced in Brazil, strengthening its position as a globally recognized cultural and creative hub,” says Rodrigo Pastoriza, Director of Banijay Estúdios.
To learn more about Banijay Estúdios, visit our website.
Comments Off on Prime Video Finishes Filming Two New Seasons of LOL: Last One Laughing Argentina
Prime Video today announced it has finished filming two new seasons of its original series, LOL: Last One Laughing Argentina, the Emmy-winning comedy competition known for its unique hilarity. The upcoming seasons will feature Argentine diva Susana Giménez as the host for season two, but she will hand over the keys of the house to popular TV host Marcelo Tinelli to lead season three. The new seasons of LOL: Last One Laughing Argentina will be exclusively available on Prime Video, reaching audiences in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
After the success of the first season, which featured Susana Giménez as host and the participation of renowned and emerging comedians, Prime Video announced the production of two new seasons of the Amazon Original series that utilizes dozens of cameras to capture all the hilarious action during the unpredictable six-hour competition. In line with its previous versions, LOL selects a group of established comedy stars and up-and-coming talent who bring various styles to the table, including stand-up, character, improvisational, and physical comedy.
“At Prime Video, we are committed to providing captivating, high-quality content that connects with our audience, so we’re thrilled to announce the second and third seasons of our comedy reality show,” said Camila Misas, Head of Local Originals Argentina, Chile & Colombia. “LOL has taken the world by storm, becoming one of Prime Video’s most successful franchise, and we can’t wait to deliver distinctive and enjoyable uncensored experiences to our Argentine audience, which promise to entertain, shock, and elevate laughter to new heights.”
Marie Leguizamo, showrunner and managing director of Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, remarked: “I am consistently grateful for the opportunity to helm this flourishing franchise within Latin America. Producing back-to-back seasons alongside Susana Giménez and Marcelo Tinelli, two icons of our industry today, isn’t just exhilarating; it marks a pivotal moment in our industry’s history.””
This series, produced by Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, a Banijay Americas company, is an adaptation of the tremendously popular Japanese Amazon Original, HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental, produced and starring Hitoshi Matsumoto, who invites 10 comedians to bet money on a “battle of laughter behind closed doors,” and where anything goes.
LOL: Last One Laughing Argentina S2 and S3 will join the thousands of movies and TV shows in the Prime Video catalog, including Argentine-produced Amazon Original titles such as LOL: Last One Laughing Argentina S1, Barrabrava, Argentina, 1985, El Fin del Amor, Iosi, El Espía Arrepentido, Porno y Helado, and Maradona: Blessed Dream, as well as award-winning and critically acclaimed global Amazon Original series including Citadel, The Boys, The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, all on Prime Video.
Prime Video members will be able to watch these new seasons and anytime on the Prime Video app for smart TVs, and mobile devices, and can also stream online mobile devices, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Fire tablets and Apple TV. In the Prime Video app, Prime members can download the series on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Prime Video is available in Argentina for just $2099 (plus taxes) a month, new customers can find out more at primevideo.com.
Comments Off on Sharon Levy Named Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine North America
Sharon Levy has been elevated to Chief Executive Officer of Endemol Shine North America, the Banijay-owned studio behind the Emmy Award- nominated LEGO Masters, MasterChef, Wipeout, and the highly-anticipated Ripley, it was announced today by Ben Samek, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Americas.
In her new role, Levy, who has served as Chief Content Officer, Endemol Shine North America, since 2021, will manage all aspects of the business and its growth. Named as one of the “Most Powerful Producers in Unscripted TV” by The Hollywood Reporter, she will also continue to lead all of the studio’s unscripted and scripted programming efforts from the company’s North Hollywood headquarters.
“Sharon is one of the most strategic executives in the business, someone whose creative vision is matched only by her market savvy,” said Samek. “Over the past five years, she has already positioned Endemol Shine North America as a major industry player and unleashed the creativity of her group. I look forward to supporting her as she leads her talented team to new heights.”
“I’m very excited to take on the CEO role for the new Endemol Shine North America as we chart its course forward during an extraordinary time for the industry,” said Levy. “I am thankful to Ben for believing in me and my exceptional team and giving us the responsibility and opportunity to redefine ESNA. With Endemol Shine North America now operating solely as a production studio, we’ll move more nimbly and be better positioned to meet the challenges of the moment. It’s a new era at ESNA, and we look forward to working with partners, old and new, to create great television.”
With Levy now in place as CEO, Endemol Shine North America, which previously operated as the holding company on behalf of Banijay Americas, will operate as an independent production studio alongside the nine other Banijay-owned studios. In announcing these moves, his first since being named CEO, Banijay Americas, Samek completes the restructure of Banijay’s businesses across the Americas, establishing the new Endemol Shine North America studio alongside fellow U.S.-based Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment and Stephen David Entertainment; Mexico-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico and U.S. Hispanic; and Brazil-based Endemol Shine Brasil and A Fábrica.
“Historically, Endemol Shine North America served a dual role as the parent company to our subsidiaries and as its own production label,” said Samek. “Reconstituting ESNA as a pure production studio that lives alongside the nine other studios that form Banijay Americas, each with its own leadership and goals, will afford us the opportunity to work more collaboratively and efficiently and represent ourselves more clearly to our industry partners.”
Since joining Endemol Shine North America in 2017 as President, Unscripted and Scripted TV, Levy, an award-winning producer and executive, has successfully reconfigured the studio’s Los Angeles-based programming team to work more closely with Banijay’s myriad global production companies and created an original development slate that features projects from co-owned labels worldwide with marquis talent highlighted by Will Arnett, John Cena, Nicole Byer, Keke Palmer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John Cusack, Steve Zaillian, Gillian Flynn, and more.
During her tenure with Endemol Shine North America, Levy has launched and overseen numerous hits including FOX’s wildly-successful and Emmy Award-nominated LEGO Masters (hosted by Will Arnett), TBS’ revamped Wipeout (with John Cena and Nicole Byer), Foodtastic (Disney+), The Courtship (USA/Peacock), a new version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition for HGTV, and the highly-anticipated Showtime original series, Ripley. Levy also leads Endemol Shine’s top-rated food competition franchises, MasterChef and MasterChef Junior.
Prior to joining Endemol Shine, Levy served as Executive Vice President of Original Series for Spike TV where she oversaw the acquisition, creation, and production of unscripted series, scripted series, and documentaries, successfully transforming the network’s brand identity with hits such as Ink Master, Bar Rescue, Auction Hunters, and Deadliest Warrior.
Last year, Levy helped orchestrate a new partnership between Endemol Shine North America and EveryWoman Studios to expand the Propelle Program, an initiative designed to give up-and- coming female creators more opportunities in unscripted TV. As part of this initiative, Endemol Shine North America underwrote a new format category within the Propelle Program, pairing female creators with industry mentors to help develop the next batch of unscripted hit series.
Comments Off on Ben Samek Elevated to Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Americas
Chairman of the Americas for Banijay, Cris Abrego, announced today that he is stepping down as CEO and elevating Ben Samek into the role of Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Americas. Samek, who has served as President and COO since 2018, will now oversee the company’s award-winning independent production studios across two continents, developing and producing some of the world’s biggest formats and hit series.
Abrego will stay on as Chairman of the Americas for Banijay, focusing on acquisitions and new business ventures. In line with the personnel changes, the production labels across the Americas will now be housed under the new umbrella, Banijay Americas.
“When I decided to step down as CEO, I knew Ben was the ideal person to take the reins as chief executive of Banijay Americas. He has been a key partner to me for more than two decades and I know him to be an extraordinary and results-driven leader with the experience and relationships to drive success both domestically and internationally,” said Abrego. “Ben cares deeply about our company, our clients, and our people. His promotion to CEO is a testament to his long list of contributions and achievements.”
“It is an honor to step into this role, especially at a moment of accelerated evolution for the entertainment industry and Banijay Americas,” said Samek. “There are tremendous opportunities ahead for our business and I am inspired daily by the extraordinary talent and expertise of our team. I am grateful to Cris, who has been a mentor and friend for many years, and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Samek joined Endemol USA in 2014 as Chief Operating Officer and transitioned to COO of Endemol Shine North America in 2015. Promoted to President and COO for Endemol Shine North America in January 2018, Samek then expanded his areas of oversight to include the Banijay companies in the U.S. and Latin America when Banijay acquired Endemol Shine Group in 2020. Previously he held the role at COO at 51 Minds Entertainment, where he worked closely with Abrego, its co-founder, to help grow the unscripted studio from its boutique beginnings into an industry heavyweight that produced more than $100 million a year in content and eventually sold to Endemol in 2008.
Banijay Americas multi-genre content portfolio includes highlights like the Emmy Award- winning Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, LEGO Masters, MasterChef, The Men Who Built America, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Real Housewives of Potomac, Real Housewives of Dubai, Ink Master, Love is Blind Brasil, Vai Que Cola, La Casa de los Famosos, LOL Mexico, the Below Deck franchise, The Challenge franchise, and more.
Comments Off on Banijay Americas Acquires Majority Stake in Brasilian Studio A Fábrica
Banijay Americas, a division of Banijay, the world’s largest producer and distributor of international content, has acquired a majority stake in leading Brasilian studio A Fábrica, it was announced today by Ben Samek, President and Chief Operating Officer, Banijay Americas and Laurens Drillich, President, Endemol Shine Latino.
A Fábrica, which is based in Rio de Janeiro and was founded in January 2016, is behind many of the nation’s top scripted series and films. Its content can currently be found on such networks and platforms as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Turner, HBO Max, Globo, Globoplay, Canal GNT and Multishow.
A Fábrica was initially launched by partners Luiz Noronha (CEO), Renato Fagundes (Chief Content Officer), Cecilia Grosso and Samanta Moraes (Producers) and Alberto Elias (CFO). A Fábrica’s management team will remain in place, reporting to Drillich
A Fábrica currently produces Brasil’s highest-rated pay TV sitcom, “Vai Que Cola,” which is in its 10th season for Multishow and Globo and the studio has two highly anticipated scripted series coming to streaming platforms in the coming months, including “Sem Filtro,” a comedy developed in partnership with Netflix, which is set to debut early next year.
With the addition of A Fábrica, Banijay Americas is now comprised of 10 leading production companies across North America and South America. Banijay Americas studios in the U.S. include Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment and Stephen David Entertainment.
In Latin America, Banijay Americas studios include Endemol Shine Brasil (based in São Paulo) and Mexico City-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and the recently opened Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic. Last month, the company announced it was opening Banijay Studios Brasil, a 750,000 square-foot production studio facility in Guarulhos, Brasil, which will be managed by the team at Endemol Shine Brasil.
“When we look at potential new partnerships and or acquisitions, we always start with a search for talented storytellers and strong leadership and the team at A Fábrica was clearly at the top of that list,” said Banijay Americas’ Samek. “They have quickly established A Fábrica as Brasil’s go-to studio for the best in film and scripted content and we are thrilled to have their team join our roster of world-class production studios in the Americas.”
A Fábrica’s Noronha stated, “With the arrival of Banijay, we are guaranteed to grow with ever-increasing quality, both in terms of management and delivery capacity. We maintain flexibility in our business models and personalized customer service, reaffirming our commitment to originality and the results of our productions.”
A Fábrica has established itself as a leader in high quality scripted content in Brasil, producing films for both theatrical release and for top streaming platforms, as well as some of the nation’s most watched scripted series.In addition to “Sem Filtro,” it’s upcoming comedy series for Netflix, the studio is preparing to launch “A Divisão,” a co-production with Afroreggae Audiovisual. The Brasilian police procedural is set to launch on Globoplay in 2023.
On the film side, A Fábrica has produced original titles for theatrical release, as well as for streaming platforms. The studio recently delivered the highest audience for a non-English-language film in Netflix’s history with “Modo Avião.” In 2021, Netflix’s “Lulli,” another A Fábrica original production, was on the top 10-charts in several countries, including Brasil.
Theatrically, A Fábrica released its first film in theaters in 2018, “Minha Vida em Marte,” selling over five million tickets in Brasil’s theaters and it was honored as the nation’s best comedy of the year. The studio currently has eight feature films in its pipeline, including the comedy “Cansei De Ser Nerd,” in partnership with Hungry Man for Paramount Pictures and “Era Uma Vez Minha Primeira Vez,” based on a book by best-selling Brasilian author Thalita Rebouças, a production for Warner Bros.
Additionally, A Fábrica is currently producing four docu-series focused on true crime, including “O Caso Henry,” about a child’s murder that shocked Brasil a year ago. And the studio’s first original documentary, “Filho da Mãe,” is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video December 16.
A Fábrica is alsoestablishing itself on the international front, developing acclaimed TV and film projects, including “Concrete Jungle,” a series loosely based on Edyr Augusto’s book and created by Renato Fagundes and W. Peter lliff and directed by Vicente Amorim; “The Yellow Passport,” a feature film based on the book by Maha Mamo and directed by Bruno Barreto; “Haiti,” a drama series based on real events, and “Brasil Nunca Mais,” a feature film written by Renato Fagundes, to be directed by Vicente Amorim.
The addition of A Fábrica to Banijay’s portfolio reinforces the wider group’s overarching commitment to and investment in, growing its scripted pipeline globally. Its latest announced/on-air scripted highlights include SAS: Rogue Heroes (Kudos for BBC One), Marie Antoinette (Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama, Les Gens France for Canal+ and BBC Two), Domina (Tiger Aspect for Sky Atlantic), Riding in Darkness (Jarowskij for CMORE/TV4), Ronja (Filmlance for Viaplay), Fallen (Filmlance for CMORE/TV4/ZDF), Bosé (Shine Iberia, VIS, Elefantec Global, Legacy Rock for Paramount Plus), Ripley (Endemol Shine North America for SHOWTIME), Gypsy Bride (Diaganol TV for Antena3), Dance Brothers (Endemol Shine Finland for Netflix), and Two Tone (Kudos for BBC One).
Comments Off on Banijay Opening Largest Independent Production Studio Facility in Latin America
Banijay, the world’s leading producer and distributor of international content, is set to open the largest independent production studio facility in Latin America, Banijay Studios Brasil, in 2023, it was announced today by Ben Samek, President and Chief Operating Officer, Banijay Americas.
Based in São Paulo, Banijay Studios Brasil is nearly 250,000 square feet (more than 70,000 m2) and will welcome third-party TV and film clients alike. The studio deal was led by Samek, Endemol Shine Latino President Laurens Drillich and Endemol Shine Brasil CEO Nani Freitas.
The studio will be managed by the team at Endemol Shine Brasil, the leading independent studio in Brasil, behind many of the nation’s top-rated unscripted series.
The studio will offer a variety of options for productions of all sizes, with indoor and outdoor facilities, world-class technology, scenography sheds and modern office space for producers and talent. The new facility is being built in Guarulhos, located just miles from São Paulo’s international airport and is expected to open its doors next spring.
“We are always looking for new opportunities to grow our business and strengthen our local production companies and at the same time, enhance the quality of our shows,” says Drillich. “So, when the team at Endemol Shine Brasil came to us with a plan to build a studio complex in São Paulo, we were immediately interested. There is currently a huge demand for studio space in Brasil, a very important market for us, with one of the most engaged audiences in the world and endless possibilities. Our parent company at Banijay recognized this made a lot of sense and quickly made the necessary investments to make Banijay Studios Brasil a reality.”
Freitas added, “Here in Brasil, we have seen record growth in original television production over the last few years and with that growth, there has been a tremendous demand for audiovisual facilities for studios like ours to deliver high-quality programming to networks and streaming platforms alike. So, we chose to build this new world-class facility, where we can both produce our own original content and also offer third-party clients the opportunity to produce their series in this beautiful, massive new space, as well.”
Endemol Shine Brasil, which just celebrated its 15th anniversary, currently produces hits for Globo, Netflix, HBO Max, Band, Discovery Home & Health, Record, MTV, GNT and numerous other outlets. And it’s behind such hit series as Love Is Blind, MasterChef, Survivor, All Together Now, Rio Shore, The Rolling Kitchen, Iron Chef, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Wall, Masked Singer, Queen Stars and recently launchedMasterChef+.
Comments Off on Banijay Americas Launches New Production Studio Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic
Banijay Americas is launching new production studio Banijay Mexico and U.S. Hispanic, which will be led by multiple-Emmy nominated producer Marie Leguizamo, it was announced today by Cris Abrego, Chairman of the Americas, Banijay and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings.
The studio will be based in both Mexico City and at Banijay America’s Los Angeles offices and focus on original content in both English and Spanish for broadcast, cable and streamers in the Mexican and U.S. Hispanic markets. Leguizamo, who has served as an executive producer for top unscripted series for the company over the last decade, will serve as the studio’s Managing Director.
Leguizamo has produced unscripted television for nearly two decades, and her vision and concepts have led to record-breaking ratings and successes. In 2019, Leguizamo signed an overall development and executive producer deal with the company’s sister Mexico City-based studio Endemol Shine Boomdog.
Endemol Shine Boomdog, which is led by CEO Alejandro Rincon, continues to be the leading independent producer in the region, behind such unscripted and scripted hits as ¿Quién Es La Mascara(Televisa/Univision), La Casa de los Famosos (Telemundo), Mira Quien Baila (Univision), Subete a Mi Moto(Amazon Prime), Nicky Jam: El Ganador (Netflix) and much more.
Leguizamo just wrapped executive producing the third and fourth seasons of Boomdog and Amazon Prime’s Last One Laughing (LOL) with Eugenio Derbez and has served as the showrunner/EP on such Spanish-language hit series as La Voz Kids for Telemundo, Pequeños Gigantes USA and Mira Quien Baila.
“We are truly excited to be launching a new studio that’s focused on developing and producing original content for the Mexican and U.S. Hispanic marketplaces and to have someone like Marie at the helm,” said Abrego. “Marie is perfectly suited for this role—she’s one of the most respected producers in this space, she has deep roots in both nations and is entrepreneurial at heart.”
“I am honored to be given this unique opportunity to lead a new label focused on creating fresh and innovative content for both Mexican and U.S. Hispanic audiences,” says Leguizamo. “It’s an incredibly exciting time in this space right now, with so many networks and emerging platforms looking to acquire premium programming. I thank Cris Abrego and our team for trusting me with this new role and I can’t wait to further establish Banijay as a leader in this territory.”
Most recently, Leguizamo served as Executive Producer/Showrunner on Amazon Prime and Endemol Shine Boomdog’s LOL, a series that she has helmed for three of its four seasons. She has been recognized twice by the International Emmy association with nominations for her work on La Voz Kids and she also garnered a Daytime Emmy nomination for LOL.
Leguizamo served as Executive Producer/Showrunner on Univision’s Pequeños Gigantes and she’s produced a variety of network performance/competition-centric shows including two seasons of Carnival Corporations’ La Gran Sorpresa and Endemol Shine Boomdog’s top-rated series Mira Quien Baila. Additionally, she has produced various shows such as Nuestra Belleza Latina, Viva El Sueño,Premios Juventud, El Juego de Oro and Billboard All Access.