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.

Tag Archive: Banijay Germany

  1. Banijay Productions Germany Establishes New Documentary Unit, Doc. Banijay

    Comments Off on Banijay Productions Germany Establishes New Documentary Unit, Doc. Banijay

    Banijay Productions Germany GmbH confirms it has expanded its portfolio into documentary series with new label, Doc.Banijay. The new entity is set to be led by Executive Producer Marc Schlömer, who reports to Banijay Productions Managing Director, Arno Schneppenheim.

     

    Marc Schlömer has spent 20 years at broadcaster ARD as a Bundesliga football league commentator, and as the author of documentaries including Das Leben ist ein Hauch. During his time there, he was awarded a German Television Award for his reports for WDR magazine, Sport Inside. Schlömer is also known for addressing climate change and socio-politics topics, having produced projects for ARD-Weltspiegel and Swiss Television. These are areas which he will continue to tackle through the Banijay-backed Doc unit.

     

    Schlömer is renouncing his participation as a reporter at the Olympic Games but will maintain his broadcasting roles for ARD at the European Football Championship. Additionally, he will continue to contribute to Sport Inside and the online series, “No Sports!?”, for WDR.

     

    Other genres, including Factual, Reality and Comedy will continue to be led by Banijay Productions Germany’s Creative Director, Katrin Heller.

     

    Marc Schlömer: “For me, the fact that I get the chance to co-found and build a docu-department within Europe’s largest production group is an honour. I am grateful to the ARD managers for allowing me to step back from upcoming tasks in the summer so that we can get started straight away at Banijay Productions Germany.”

     

    Arno Schneppenheim, Managing Director of Banijay Productions Germany: “I have long been interested in the genre of journalistic documentation and with brilliant talent such as Marc leading, we have the perfect expert to create this new arm within Banijay Productions Germany.”

  2. Banijay Germany Launches New Label, Banijay Live Artist Brand

    Comments Off on Banijay Germany Launches New Label, Banijay Live Artist Brand

    Banijay Germany confirms new label Banijay Live Artist Brand (BLAB), led by Managing Director Ingrid Langheld, with Daniel Durst joining the management from July 1, 2021.

     

    Banijay Live Artist Brand will focus on the strategic promotion of established artists and young talent, the development of live formats, and the creation and production of digital entertainment content. The label will produce for broadcasters, platforms, streamers and audio providers, and will house a digital content unit to produce originals for its own platforms, as well as distribute original podcasts. Banijay Live Artist Brand operates its own comedy digital distribution channel, MySpass, which already reaches more than 14.5 million followers and up to 220 million monthly video views on social media.

     

    Building on years of know-how, Banijay Live Artist Brand is set to develop content with all of Banijay Germany’s companies, in close co-operation with Brainpool, Endemol Shine Germany, Good Times, Banijay Productions, MadeFor and the artist management labels. A 360° license evaluation of Banijay’s extensive catalogue will attract fans and viewers to the programme brands.

     

    Ingrid Langheld, former Managing Director of Brainpool’s live artist and brand division, will be joined by Daniel Durst to lead the division. Durst comes from Bertelsmann, where he worked on new product strategies as Chief Product Manager. He has previously held positions at Axel Springer, including Head of Strategic Product Development, Product Director of Upday and Director, Consumer Products of BILD and WELT.

     

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany: “Banijay Live Artist Brand brings the unique opportunity to establish future-oriented entertainment brands and artists with the entire backing of Banijay Germany. Ingrid’s team of experienced and talented marketing, digital and live production experts can guarantee artists and brands maximum attention on all high-reach media platforms. ”

     

    Ingrid Langheld, Managing Director Banijay Live Action Brand: “I’m looking forward to taking the company to the next level with my team, and to creating extraordinary entertainment worlds for brands on all platforms, with our artists, partners and colleagues from Banijay. With Daniel as Co-Managing Director, we have a proven digital strategist and I am excited to shape the future together with him. “

  3. MadeFor Announces Latest Contemporary Scripted Slate

    Comments Off on MadeFor Announces Latest Contemporary Scripted Slate

    MadeFor, the scripted arm of Banijay Germany, confirms it is producing two new shows, Loving Her and Mirella Saves the World (Mirella Schulze rettet die Welt), set to air later this year.

     

    A LGBTQ+ female love story, Loving Her centres around Hanna (Banafshe Hourmazdi) a woman in her early twenties. In six episodes, we follow Hanna’s journey through different romances, affairs, heartbreak and ultimately (self-) love.

     

    On the weekend when Hanna moves out of her apartment, heading into an unknown future in pandemic times, she runs into her childhood sweetheart Franzi (Lena Klenke). This reunion sets Hanna on a journey of reflection as she considers what each of her ex-girlfriends have taught her and how they have shaped the person she is today. Produced by Tasja Abel and Philine Zebralla, this new drama will air on ZDFmediathek and ZDFneo and is an adaptation of Dutch series, Anne+.

     

    Eight-part dramedy, Mirella Saves the World, will be available on TVNOW this spring. Mirella is an uncompromising 13-year-old environmental activist, and her acts against climate change do not always go down well at home. With a selfie queen sister, a fast-food loving brother, and parents in not very eco-friendly occupations, the family is driven to the edge with Mirella’s crusade. Will Mirella’s determination convince those around her to start thinking beyond themselves or will she come up against a brick wall? Ralf Husmann will be the showrunner on this new production.

     

     

    Nanni Erben, Co-CEO of MadeFor comments: “I am very happy that with Loving

    Her and Mirella we are producing two extremely entertaining series. Even though the focus of both series is very different – they both deal with very relevant topics and capture the contemporary zeitgeist. I really like that Mirella shows that environmental protection can be portrayed in a very funny way. It is also exciting that Loving Her is a so-called “instant series”. There is only a short period between idea, filming and broadcast, that allows a sense of currency, which is unusual in fictional programmes.”

     

    Gunnar Juncken, Co-CEO of MadeFor adds: “Loving Her and Mirella Saves the World are two distinct, compelling projects, which we hope will resonate. Audiences are looking for new dramas and we are excited to deliver these charming and funny productions to ZDFneo and TVNOW.”

     

    Based in Berlin, MadeFor launched in February 2020 and is led by Joint CEOs, producer Nanni Erben, and Gunnar Juncken. The company is responsible for creating and producing premium scripted series and films for the local and international market, while also pursuing opportunities for co-productions via Banijay and other platforms and partners.

     

    Recent and forthcoming series include Teacher on Withdrawal, a short-form web comedy series for ZDFneo, long-running series, Tatort, which follows investigators Gorniak (Karin Hanczewski), Winkler (Cornelia Gröschel) and Schnabel (Martin Brambach); along with Frau Jordan stellt gleich for Joyn and Marie Catches Fire for ZDF.

  4. Endemol Shine Germany Launches New Reality Label with Rainer Laux

    Comments Off on Endemol Shine Germany Launches New Reality Label with Rainer Laux

    Banijay Germany confirms the creation of Rainer Laux Productions GmbH, a collaboration between renowned and successful TV producer, Rainer Laux, and Endemol Shine Germany.

     

    With his many years of experience and an exceptionally strong celebrity network, Laux will continue to expand the development, production and sales of new reality formats under the Endemol Shine Germany umbrella.

     

    Laux is behind some of Germany’s biggest reality hits; he was producer of the first Big Brother season in Germany for Endemol in 2000 and made Celebrity Big Brother for Sat.1, a talk-of-the-town format. This year, two series of Big Brother aired in Germany, with civilian and celebrity versions produced under Covid-19 guidelines.

     

    In spring of this year, Rainer Laux, his team, and the in-house developers of Promis unter Palmen (Paradise Hell), achieved outstanding ratings of up to 21.2 percent market share (14-49 years) on Sat.1. The format is now part of the Banijay Rights catalogue.

     

    Further upcoming projects for various streaming providers and broadcasters are set for 2021, includingClaudia’s House of Love, a format with reality star Claudia Obert, which launched on 7 January on Joyn. In addition to the reality shows, Rainer Laux retains responsibility for all formats with presenter Julia Leischik and reality personality, Daniela Katzenberger.

     

    Fabian Tobias, Managing Director, Endemol Shine Germany: “Rainer lives and breathes reality and I am so pleased about the collaboration. With him, we are a magnet for reality stars and a reliable partner to provide broadcasters and streamers with reality hits.”

     

    Rainer Laux, Managing Director, Rainer Laux Productions: “The new company is called “Rainer Laux Productions… Much more than Reality TV”. Our aim is to create formats for our partners that get Germany talking and have international potential. We offer a home for celebrities and colleagues who love entertainment and reality.”

  5. Banijay Germany and Sascha Rinne Management Form Joint Venture

    Comments Off on Banijay Germany and Sascha Rinne Management Form Joint Venture

    Banijay Germany is strengthening its group of independent entertainment companies by taking a majority stake in SR Management GmbH. Founder Sascha Rinne remains on board as managing director and co-shareholder.

     

    The SR Management GmbH has an impressive portfolio of talent from the world of entertainment. Presenters, entertainment/comedy, sports & lifestyle are among the core areas of the agency. In addition to talent management, the company has been increasingly focusing on the production of its own content for the past two years. Since 2018, its own content team, led by Tobias Holtkamp, has been designing exclusive formats and series for various brands, media providers and online platforms. Under the label “Podcastbande”, SR Management produces The Pochers Here for Audio Now. For the Cologne Sharks, the multi-part ice hockey documentary Unter Haien was created,which is now in its second season.

     

    This new venture supports Banijay Germany’s ethos of partnering with like-minded, independent and entrepreneurially-managed companies. It will combine the relevant producers and media companies which Sascha Rinne and his team work with, with the range of TV formats, development, digital marketing and live expertise that Banijay Germany has available across its entities.

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany:“Sascha has been synonymous with the sustainable, strategic development of artists’ careers for many years. He has built up a powerful, well-connected and positioned talent agency. I am very pleased that he has now decided to partner with Banijay.”

     

    Sascha Rinne, GF SR Management: “The entertainment industry has changed a lot in recent years and we have set ourselves the goal of innovating our agency with it. We see the partnership with Banijay not only as a step, but as a leap into the future. We will now offer our partners and customers an even stronger network – at all levels. Personally, I am very happy to have found the ideal partnership with a big player like Banijay, which on the one hand, significantly strengthens us and on the other, allows us to continue to operate independently.”

  6. Banijay Finalises Structure in Germany

    Comments Off on Banijay Finalises Structure in Germany

    Banijay today confirms Marcus Wolter will lead its German operations following the recent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group. As Banijay Germany’s CEO and Co-Partner, he will oversee the country’s portfolio of companies which include Brainpool, for which he also acts as MD, Banijay Productions, Good Times, Endemol Shine Germany, MadeFor, Raab TV, Lucky Pics and MTS Künstler Management among others.

     

    Representing the group’s ethos of “storymaking set free”, Banijay Germany is a leading collective of independent entertainment producers and creative entrepreneurs. Investing in innovative and fresh content that is born locally and travels globally, the business is behind some of the country’s best-loved productions including Masked Singer (ProSieben), Schlag den Star (Beat the Star) (ProSieben), Wer wird Millionär? (Who Wants to be a Millionaire) (RTL), Tatort Weimar und Tatort Dresden (Das Erste), Temptation Island (TVNow / RTL), Promi Big Brother (Celebrity Big Brother) (Sat.1), Promis unter Palmen (Sat.1), Kitchen Impossible (VOX), Luke! Die Greatnightshow (Sat.1) and Free European Song Contest (ProSieben).

     

    Wolter joined the business back in 2018 from Endemol Shine Germany, where he was CEO, and Chairman Northern Europe for Endemol Shine Group.

     

    The country’s newly finalised structure also sees Fabian Tobias, currently Managing Director of Brainpool’s Show and Factual Division, take up the role of Managing Director for Endemol Shine Germany. He will be joined by Ute März, who has been appointed co-CEO of the entity, having served as Chief Finance Officer since 2002. The leaders of Banijay Germany’s other entities remain unchanged.

     

    Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer at Banijay comments: “In Marcus we have an exceptionally strong and strategic leader. Familiar with both sides of the footprint, he is well-placed to oversee the country’s seamless integration, while driving efficient and effective businesses for the future. Having already proven their strength in generating new IP alongside the production of key group-owned IP, his network of companies, along with the new additions, provide an incredibly diverse offering for clients and audiences alike.”

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO and co-partner Banijay Germany comments:“Banijay Germany prides itself on developing, creating and producing some of the country’s best brands. By bringing together this excellent collective of first-class producers, partners, artists and colleagues, we are building a home for the best creative talent to devise the next generation of entertainment for all platforms. Our business was built on independence, creative freedom and creative entrepreneurialism and I am dedicated to working with our new team to see this live on.”

     

    Magnus Kastner, who has served as CEO at Endemol Shine Germany since 2018, will step down from his role.

  7. Banijay Germany Acquires Good Times

    Comments Off on Banijay Germany Acquires Good Times

    Banijay Germany, part of Banijay Group, today confirms the full acquisition of production entity, Good Times. The deal sees the independent label join the Germany group, sitting alongside Banijay Productions and Brainpool. Company founder, Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petersen, will remain at the helm of the business as Managing Director and producer, overseeing its slate and all operations.

    Marcus Wolter, CEO Banijay Germany comments: “Good Times has been synonymous with successful daytime formats and strong in-house developments in the field of factual entertainment and social docu for many years. I am personally pleased that Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petersen has chosen us as a partner since the brand is a perfect addition to the current genre portfolio for Banijay Germany. Through the acquisition, we are welcoming a new family member, which has the potential to grow and thrive within our group.”

     

    Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petersen adds: “Banijay offers all the prerequisites of a great new home for Good Times. My team and I can now access a strong format catalogue and finally market our own ideas worldwide. Working in a large international network, is an exciting challenge for us, which we accept with enthusiasm.”

     

    Good Times was founded in 1998 in Berlin by Sylvia Fahrenkrog-Petersen and has been based in Cologne since 2000. Offering a plethora of genres, the business produces docu-soaps, reports, coaching formats, scripted reality, and fiction for various television stations accross Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Titles include Mein Lokal, Dein Lokal – Der Profi kommt (Kabel Eins), Der Trödeltrupp – Das Geld liegt im Keller (RTL2), Dinner Party – Der LateNight Talk (Sat1), Armes Deutschland (RTL 2), Unser Kiosk – Trost und Prost im Viertel (Kabel Eins).