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

  1. Banijay Media Germany Unveiled

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today unveils the rebrand of creative and marketing agency Banijay Live Artist Brand (BLAB) which becomes Banijay Media Germany. Co-Managing Directors Ingrid Langheld and Daniel Durst will continue to oversee the company.

    The move introduces three pillars within the company: House of Brands, House of Likes and House of Rights. Creative marketing unit House Of Brands, works in co-operation with broadcasters, bringing together well-known TV formats with brands. Successful examples include FRoSTA and the TV total WOK WM. Under House Of Likes, Banijay Media Germany will develop social media strategies, authentic storytelling, digital content, and communities across numerous channels. In addition, House Of Rights will market content from advertisers and TV producers via all relevant platforms or through the company’s own wide-reaching MySpass network.

    Ingrid Langheld, Co-Managing Director, Banijay Media Germany: “Following the recent transfer of the live activities to Brainpool Live Entertainment GmbH, the logical next step towards strengthening our business is now taking place. Through our strategic rebrand as Banijay Media Germany, we will focus on our strength as a dynamic creative and marketing agency, building our market position and showcasing our formidable portfolio.”

    Daniel Durst, Co-Managing Director, Banijay Media Germany: “Digital content, branded entertainment, community building and content distribution are of utmost relevance. By focusing on the core competence of a digital full-service entertainment agency, we are taking the next step into the entertainment future. As a creative, strategic partner for producers, advertisers, broadcasters and streamers, we develop and produce individual content and distribution strategies, creating unique moments to get people talking.”

    The news comes after Brainpool TV, part of Banijay Germany, restructured its live events agency and tour divisions under new label Brainpool Live Entertainment GmbH – an independent move which further complimented the latest announcement from FL Entertainment, the listed entity within which Banijay sits, regarding the launch of Banijay Events, following its minority investment in The Independents, and Banijay’s signing of the majority acquisition of Balich Wonder Studio.

  2. Banijay Rights Makes Fat Friends Deal With BritBox

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    Banijay Rights today announces BritBox UK, available as part of ITVX Premium, has acquired Fat Friends, the renowned Kay Mellor comedy-drama that first aired on British TV screens 23 years ago.

    Produced by Mellor’s Rollem Productions (The Syndicate, In the Club, A Passionate Woman) in association with Tiger Aspect Productions (a Banijay UK company) and Yorkshire Television, Fat Friends debuted on ITV1 in 2000 and follows the lives of a group of Leeds-based slimming club members and their attempts to lose weight.

    With an ensemble cast featuring Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye, Ruth Jones, James Corden and Josie Lawrence, the series went on to be nominated for two BAFTA TV Awards: Best Drama Series and Best Actress for Steadman.

    Following a launch on BritBox Australia, BritBox UK has acquired all four seasons of Fat Friends from Banijay Rights, which handles global distribution for the series. The agreement was brokered just a year after Kay Mellor passed away, aged 71.

    Chris Stewart, SVP Sales, UK and Eire Banijay Rights, who negotiated the deal with BritBox UK, said:“With incredible writing from Kay Mellor and a cast featuring established actors and soon-to-be stars, Fat Friends was one of those once-in-a-generation shows that simply galvanised the UK nation. A year on from Kay’s untimely death, this deal with BritBox will ensure a whole new generation of viewers get to enjoy her work.”

     Yvonne Francas-Mellor, Managing Director, and Gaynor Mellor, Creative Director at Rollem Productions, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Banijay Rights for the first time and have found the right home for the distribution of Fat Friends. It’s wonderful that Kay’s work continues to be enjoyed by audiences across the world, shining a spotlight on Leeds and Yorkshire where Rollem has its home and continues to produce content.”

     Kully Kaur-Bains, ITVX Editorial Manager, said: “We are very much looking forward to bringing this beloved series back to audiences in the UK, and continuing our relationship with the great team at Banijay.”

  3. Banijay Re-Organises Business in Asia, Building Content Powerhouse in India

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today announces the successful reorganisation of Banijay in Asia, combining two market-leading entities – Endemol Shine India and Banijay Asia, under the leadership of Deepak Dhar, who has been appointed the Founder & Group CEO – Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India.

    Building a regional content powerhouse, the move follows the full buy-out of Endemol Shine India from CA Media, and sees media veteran and entrepreneur, Dhar, take on overarching role. Having led Endemol’s Indian operations between 2005 and 2018, before launching Banijay Asia and overseeing its strategic growth, he will now continue his focus on leading the wider group’s content strategies, partnerships, new business, and alliances, in addition to building both companies’ reputations in generating new IP, which can travel the world.

    In line with the changes, and with the aim of unlocking greater synergies, Dhar will now finesse the structure of Banijay in Asia, setting group-wide roles, as well as dedicated creative positions within the respective production labels. Key personnel-related news is expected to be shared in the coming few weeks.

    Talking on the developments, Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO – Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India, commented, “The reorganisation of Banijay in Asia is our biggest and boldest move yet and aligns with our ambition to drive further growth in India and Asia at-large. Leveraging the creative potential and possibilities of both brands, we will now strategically pursue complimentary yet independent creative portfolios to offer the most diverse, and compelling cross-genre content from all across the globe, to our Indian and Asian platforms and screens.”

    Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay: “Deepak is a leading creative and entrepreneurial force in Asia, and in our partnership thus far, he has successfully created an impressive slate, and a host of fruitful partnerships with major buyers and partners worldwide. In this new phase for the business, he will now focus on unlocking and aligning other strategic growth avenues to put Banijay in a dominating position, both in India, as well as Asia.”

    Dhar further added, “I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in the growth of both businesses since their inception in India; now, leading them both through the next phase of growth, is a surreal feeling. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues at Endemol Shine and Banijay Asia to continue to create path-breaking content, and having fun along the way.”

    Over the last few years, Banijay Asia has delivered mega-hit scripted adaptations like The Night Manager, Call My Agent Bollywood, Hostages, and Fall, and successful Originals like Dahan, Matsya Kaand, Undekhi, Tribhanga amongst many others. The content studio’s upcoming shows include Indian reimaginations of The Good Wife Monk, House, and Suits. On the non-scripted front, Banijay is leading the genre with blockbuster titles like The Kapil Sharma Show, MTV Roadies, The Voice, The Big Picture, Into The Wild with Bear Grylls, Case Toh Banta Hai, Nach Baliye and more. The content studio’s upcoming shows include Survivor and Temptation Island.

    Meanwhile, since 2005, Endemol Shine India has established a strong reputation as the leading producer of Bigg Boss across 9 regions, as well as the Indian adaptations of Fear Factor, MasterChef and Deal or No Deal. On the Scripted front, apart from Bombay Begums, Trial By Fire and Tooth Pari, the label has announced a third season of International Emmy-nominated Aarya, and a Hindi adaptation of The Bridge (Bron/Broen).

    Now, some of the biggest global, and original Indian IP would now be available and produced between the two entities, under the leadership of Dhar.

  4. Université Côte d’Azur & Banijay Relaunch Masters with The City of Cannes & Cannes Lérins Agglomeration

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, Université Côte d’Azur, The City of Cannes and Cannes Lérins Agglomeration, unite to confirm the return of their successful Masters focusing on the creation and development of TV formats. Entitled “Mastering the TV Formats of Tomorrow: Creation and Development”, the course is open to applications for a second year.

    First launched in 2023 off the back of the successful “Content Creatives Incubator” course, the first cohort ofstudents attended 350 hours of classes, heard from Banijay’s extensive global professional network (UK, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Israel and Japan) and developed more than 15 original formats, which they pitched to a panel of experts. Today, 80% have either secured interviews, or a role, even before obtaining their diploma.

    For 2023/2024, the Georges Méliès Campus will open applications once again, with the view to welcoming a further 15 candidates. Located in Cannes, where many flagship events are held (MIPCOM, MIPTV, Cannes Series), the unique Masters aims to train French and international students in the creation of original television formats. With talent shortages continuing to impact the content world, the responsive offering is geared towards aiding the industry at-large to plug the gaps.

    This bilingual course, with an international dimension, offers academic segments (creative industries, design thinking, script writing, production etc.) taught by research professors from Université Côte d’Azur, and practical elements (knowledge of the global content and formats market, ability to respond to a creative brief, mastering the pitch, production of trailers etc.) led by Banijay’s global representatives.  Balancing masterclasses, themed workshops and immersion periods at key industry events, the Masters has been purposefully designed to develop the next generation of creative talent.

    Running from October 2023 to June 2024, this hybrid, and highly professional degree, is accessible by submitting an online application on the Université Côte d’Azur website available here. Candidates will need to demonstrate their knowledge of subjects relating to creativity, project management, writing, as well as a proficiency in French and English.

    This diploma reinforces Université Côte d’Azur’s offering and is part of the ambitious “Cannes On Air” programme initiated by the Cannes City Council to make the city the European capital of creative writing.

  5. Shine Iberia, Portugal, Strengthens Leadership with new Managing Director

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    Banijay Iberia, part of media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today announces a senior promotion at Shine Iberia in Portugal, with Helder Marques promoted to take up a new role of  Managing Director.

     In this all-new position, Marques will oversee all of Shine Iberia Portugal’s output, which on average sees ten formats produced each year. He will report to Macarena Rey, CEO of Shine Iberia, Spain and Portugal, and Endemol Portugal.

     Marques has played a key role in the success of Shine Iberia in Portugal, having served as an Executive Producer with credits including MasterChef Portugal, The Voice Portugal, Hell’s Kitchen and Missao:100% Português. He first joined the company in 2012 as a Production Manager, having previously worked at Endemol producing Big Brother and Fear Factor, among others. Prior to Endemol, he was part of the founding team at CBV Produções Televisivas, where he led shows like Quem Quer Ser Milionário – Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Top Chef and A Voz de Portugal – The Voice for RTP, as well as Atreve-te a Cantar and À Procurando Sonho for SIC.

     Macarena Rey, CEO of Shine Iberia comments: “For more than a decade, Helder has demonstrated outstanding management skills, effective problem-solving and he has solid experience as an executive producer. Creating this new role reflects Shine Iberia’s ambition for continued, sustained growth in Portugal. I firmly believe that in this new professional challenge as Managing Director, Helder will continue to achieve excellent results here.”

     Helder Marques says: “Embracing this new challenge is a very important milestone in my professional career, but above all, I’m excited to further demonstate a great commitment to the Shine Iberia Portugal team, which I have been part of for more than a decade. I know that, together, we will continue to innovate and strengthen the production of content for Portuguese television, and for global streaming platforms.”

     Since 2012, Shine Iberia has created great television hits in Spain and Portugal, producing home-grown content, as well as local adaptations from Banijay’s diverse catalogue and those from third-party companies. Multi-award-winning entertainment and factual formats like MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, Celebrity MasterChef and Anything Goes, alongside hits like Sewing Bee and The Voice Portugal, engage television audiences and critics and have proven social media success. Shine Iberia recently moved into scripted programming with the biopic Bosé, a collaboration with Elefantec Global and Legacy Rock for Paramount+.

  6. Banijay Rights Serves Up Stanley Tucci and Eva Longoria Documentary Series

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    Banijay Rights today announces it has acquired global distribution rights outside of the US to a pair of CNN Original Series, which separately follow Hollywood stars Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award-winning actor Stanley Tucci and Eva Longoria on powerful journeys of culinary discovery across Italy and Mexico.

    Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy followed the actor as he explored the stories and people behind one of the world’s most popular cuisines. The series showed viewers the bustling food markets and hidden trattorias of the Italian peninsula across two seasons in total (6 x 60’; 8 x 60’). The CNN Original Series was produced by Raw TV, and acquired by BBC2 in the UK.

    Meanwhile, in Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, a CNN Original Series produced by Raw TV and Longoria, the award-winning actress, producer, director and activist explores the lands of her ancestors to see how Mexico’s rich culture, landscape and history have shaped its cuisine, loved the world over. The 6 x 60’ series takes viewers on a journey through incredible produce, age-old rituals and some of the world’s top restaurants, where they’ll discover that the heart of Mexico is in its food.

    Banijay Rights handles global distribution outside of the US for both series.

    The acquisitions of both series were brokered by Erica Novich, VP Business Affairs for CNN Worldwide and Nicola Davey, VP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, who recently joined the company from Beyond Rights. “Told through the prism of two of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars, these charming, extraordinary series shine the spotlight on the world’s most renowned culinary cultures and the incredible stories surrounding them,” said Davey. “We’re delighted both series join our growing multi-genre catalogue, and we’re in no doubt they will appeal to international buyers this year.”

    Both Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico join Banijay Rights’ growing slate of documentary series, which includes Boris, from 72 Films,and Lara (working title) – a feature documentary from Banijay Benelux joint venture Scenery that recounts the reconciliation story behind Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar’s most famous assassination.

  7. DLO Producciones’ Hit Spanish Thriller, La Caza. Monteperdido, to be Adapted by Terence Films and Gétévé Productions

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    Banijay France today announces its latest thriller, an adaptation of La Caza. Monteperdido, the hit drama created by Banijay Iberia’s DLO Producciones. The French series, titled Rivière-Perdue, will be distributed by Banijay Rights and is a co-production between Banijay France labels Terence Films and Gétévé Productions, along with TF1.

    Originally produced in Spain by RTVE in collaboration with DLO Producciones, the critically-acclaimed psychological thriller, La Caza. Monteperdido was first created in 2019 following the success of Agustín Martínez’s best-selling novel, Monteperdido. It was produced by José Manuel Lorenzo and written by Agustín Martínez, Luis Moya, Antonio Mercero, Miguel Sáez Carral and Jorge Díaz. The debut series was watched by over two million viewers, with a 14% share, picked up a FesTVal Award, and continued its success with a second compelling season in 2021, and the third season which launched this year in March is now available on Netflix.

    In France, filming for the gripping 6 x 52-minute series, written by Eugénie Dard, Sylvain Caron et Elsa Vasseur, and directed by Jean-Christophe Delpias, is underway in the Pyrenees. In Rivière-Perdue, a car accident leads to the mysterious reappearance of Anna, a teenage girl who has been missing for five years. Commissioner Balthus (Jean-Michel Tinivelli) and Captain Alix Stern (Barbara Cabrita) investigate with the local police and embark on a race against time to find Lucie, who disappeared at the same time as Anna, but is nowhere to be seen.

    Bertrand Cohen, CEO at Terence Films says: “We are excited to collaborate with TF1 and Gétévé Productions to bring this successful Spanish novel and series to French audiences. We’ve worked on many book-to-screen adaptations, but this project has a strong central concept and overarching storyline, making it ideal for adaptation. Strong leading performances with Barbara Cabrita, Nicolas Gob, Jean-Michel Tinivelli, Odile Vuillemin, Bruno Debrandt, Annelise Hesme and Kamel Belghazi will ensure this suspenseful drama will leave viewers wanting more.”

    José Manuel Lorenzo, Managing Director and Producer at DLO Producciones says: “La Caza. Monteperdido is a sensationally tense and gripping drama which performed well here in Spain, and its narrative structure is perfect for a French adaptation. Filmed on location in the Pyrenees, the concept immerses viewers in the beautiful scenery, where mystery and nature become one more character in the story. I look forward to seeing how the nuances of the French version will unfold, keeping audiences guessing at every twist and turn.”

    Banijay France operates through fifteen production companies: for non-scripted – Adventure Line Productions, Air Productions, Banijay Productions France, DMLS TV, Endemol France, H20 Productions, KM Production and Tooco – and for scripted – Banijay Studio France, Shine Fiction which has recently announced its latest scripted show Carême, a co-production with VVZ Production for Apple TV+. Also within Banijay France are Fiction’Air, Marathon Studio, Terence Films, Montmartre Films and Screen Line. Producing a diversity of content for all French channels and platforms, its portfolio comprises both original creations and the adaptation of international formats. The country’s leading producer, it entertains more than 38 million people every week.

  8. Alexia Laroche-Joubert Upped to Chief Executive Officer, Banijay France

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today confirms the promotion of Alexia Laroche-Joubert to Chief Executive Officer, Banijay France. Taking full oversight of the French portfolio, which comprises 15 labels spanning non-scripted and scripted, she will be tasked with evolving and diversifying the pipeline, attracting new talent, identifying new areas for growth, and driving collaboration with the wider group internationally to maximise on exploitation opportunities. The appointment takes effect from 1 September 2023.

    Laroche-Joubert takes on the post after a significant tenure with Banijay, where, since 2016, she has served as Chief Executive Officer for Adventure Line Productions (ALP), and recently launched scripted label, Screen Line Productions.

    Recognised as one of the 100 Women of Culture for 2022, Laroche-Joubert is credited for huge stints executive producing TF1’s Koh Lanta (Survivor), on-air for 20+ years; and France 2’s Fort Boyard which has enjoyed a 30+-year run to date, and for reshaping beauty contest event, Miss France, leading it to the top three most watched non-scripted shows in France.

    A creative visionary, Laroche-Joubert has had a multi-faceted career, both as a leading producer on titles like M6’s Loft Story (Big Brother), TF1’s Star Academy and Secret Story, and W9’s Les Ch’tis and Les Marseillais, and on-screen, in a multitude of roles such as a juror for Popstars in France. Prior to Banijay, she spent 10+ years in the Canal+ group and became Editor-in-Chief at TF1. Before that, she was Director of Programmes at Endemol France under Stéphane Courbit’s leadership. Now she will be entrusted with building on Banijay France’s success to date, reporting to Banijay’s Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, having worked with the group’s Chairman, Stéphane Courbit, for 25+ years.

    Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay: “Alexia has been a leading force for us in France for a number of years, and with entrepreneurialism and creative spirit at her core, she is the perfect profile to lead our French operations from here-on-in. Hugely respected, strategic and with a brilliant repertoire of credits, we have no doubt her experience and knowledge will be invaluable in driving the business to new heights, as we look to further diversify and enhance the offering.”

     

    Alexia Laroche-Joubert, CEO, Banijay France: “From start-ups, to well-established labels like ALP, I have led a career underpinned by entrepreneurialism and at Banijay, I’ve found a home where I can continue to indulge my creative passions. Stepping up to lead Banijay France was the logical next step, and I am proud to be taking on this challenge. We have an incredibly strong production offering and I look forward to collaborating with the MDs and their teams to drive diversification, further format exploitation, cross-company collaboration and importantly, attract new talent. I will forever be thankful for Stéphane and Marco’s support over the years and for now handing me the reins, and am hugely appreciative to François de Brugada, who leaves the business as the country’s number one producer.”

  9. Banijay’s Good Times Brings The Block to Germany

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    Content powerhouse Banijay today confirms Good Times, part of Banijay Germany, will produce a new adaptation of The Block for RTL Germany. The show will be known locally as Wettkampf in 4 Wänden – Die ultimative Bau-Challenge.

    In this adaptation of the renovation-based competition reality show, four couples compete in order to turn an unloved apartment into a high-end property. Every room matters in this series as it is all about who can impress the expert jury.

    A Nine Network format, Banijay holds the global distribution rights to the format and finished tape. The Blockhas aired over 800 episodes in Australia to-date, with its 18th-season-launch the top-rated show of the night and its finale was the most-watched unscripted show in 2022. In addition, it already been adapted in 14 territories including New Zealand, Belgium, the Netherlands, the US, and Denmark, where its eighth season consistently won the slot on all demos.

    Shona Fraser, Managing Director of Good Times comments: “We love The Block – it’s such a strong format and we can’t wait to bring it to RTL in Germany with our own special reality twist. It is so exciting watching the teams create completely new rooms from a blank canvas.”

    Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay says: “The Block is a brilliant format that has hooked audiences around the world. Banijay has a strong record in creating must-watch competition reality shows and we are sure with Good Times’ expertise, the German audience is bound to be engrossed in the transformations.”

    Since the company’s creation 25 years ago, Good Times has developed and produced numerous formats for the German audience. Its credits include Mein Lokal, Dein Lokal – Der Profi Kommt, Armes Deutschland and Home of the Year.

  10. Brainpool TV Strengthens and Consolidates its Live Entertainment Businesses

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces Brainpool TV (part of Banijay Germany) will restructure its live events, agency and tour divisions under a new label, Brainpool Live Entertainment GmbH. The company will be managed by Ingrid Langheld and Godehard Wolpers.

    The news follows the latest announcement from FL Entertainment (listed entity within which Banijay sits) regarding the launch of ‘Banijay Events’, following its minority investment in The Independents and Banijay’s signing of the majority acquisition of Balich Wonder Studio. The move cements both parties’ commitment to delivering a world-leading live events offering, which is further complimented by Brainpool TV’s independent move.

    All live activities and live brands of the Cologne Comedy Festival and Banijay Live Artist Brand GmbH will sit under Brainpool Live Entertainment GmbH. The focus for the division we be on comedy events and stand-up artists. These include well-known brands such as Die besten Comedians Deutschlands, 1LIVE Comedy-Nächte XXL, Der Deutsche Comedypreis, NightWash, 1LIVE Hörsaal Comedy and talented entertainers such as Nico Stank, Fabio Landert and Jokah Tululu.

    Ingrid Langheld, Managing Director Brainpool Live Entertainment and Banijay Live Artist Brand says: “By bundling our live businesses, we become an independent comedy agency and a valuable partner for artists, brands, and the event industry. With our strong live brands we offer unique entertainment and spaces for Germany’s comedians and will continuously expand this portfolio. In doing so, we particularly champion and promote up-and-coming comedians by providing them with sustainable support in their careers and ensuring visibility throughout Germany.“

    Godehard Wolpers, Managing Director Brainpool Live Entertainment/ Producer Brainpool TV says: “One of the most successful Brainpool live events is the Cologne Comedy Festival, with a particularly wide breadth of stars and talent. This year, the 100 or so events in Cologne include premieres, readings with Torsten Sträter and Sarah Bosetti, the already sold-out live podcast Bratwurst und Baklava with Özcan Cosar and Bastian Bielendorfer, and Stromberg night at the Cinedom with Christoph Maria Herbst.”

    For more information: www.brainpool-live.de/

  11. Topkapi Teams Up with NTR, BNNVARA and Banijay Rights on New Drama, Elixer

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay today announces award-winning Dutch scripted label Topkapi is joining forces with NTR, BNNVARRA and Banijay Rights on a new drama, Elixer, which lifts the lid on the pharmaceutical industry.

    Production on the eight-part series, directed by Dana Nechushtan (Holland’s Hoop) is currently underway, and is set to air on NPO1 in 2025. Through the Creative Europe Programme, Elixer will air on Nordic public broadcasters NRK, DR, SVT, RUV and Yle, well as ZDF Germany and VRT in Belgium.

    Written by Maaik Krijgsman in collaboration with Jaap Peter Enderlé, Franky Ribbens and Luca Izeboud, Elixer tells the story of Isabelle Rombauts, played by Hanna Verboom, as she is unexpectedly appointed the CEO of the family-owned company Rombauts Pharma, a prominent player in the international pharmaceutical market. Soon, she is confronted with serious malpractices and must weigh her own conscience against the interests of her influential family. A world full of intrigue, power struggles, and despair within the pharmaceutical industry unfolds. Elixer will be filmed until November and is set to broadcast on NPO 1 in 2025.

     Frans van Gestel, Producer and Partner at Topkapi says: “The co-production model of Elixer brings together partners from multiple Europe markets, and we see this growth as the next step in our international ambitions. This tale of caution around the pharma industry is universal and all-too relatable, and we expect audiences across the eight countries who contributed to the show will be intrigued and engaged.”

    Dana Nechushtan, Director, adds: “Elixer is a drama told from the perspective of powerful individuals in the big pharma industry. We delve into the minds of those responsible: CEOs, doctors, and politicians, emphasising the dubious practices which, at times, are too vast and abstract to comprehend. At the same time, this story is a personal and intimate one.”

    Elixer was made possible with the support of NPO, NPO-fonds, the Creative Europe Programme – MEDIA of the European Union, the Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Screen Flanders, Belgian Tax Shelter, and Limburg Film Fonds, in co-production with Menuetto.

    Led by producers Frans van Gestel, Arnold Heslenfeld, and Laurette Schillings, Topkapi is behind a range of local and international hits, including Childhood Dreams which was selected for Cannes Series earlier this year. Successful co-productions include Another Round (Druk), Instinct, Bumperkleef, Piece of my Heart, Girl, Benedetta, Goodbye Stranger, as well as major historical dramas Vliegende Hollanders and De Droom van de Jeugd. The award-winning production company is part of Banijay Belelux’s line-up of scripted labels, including NL Film and Endemol Shine Scripted.

  12. Banijay’s The Bridge Crosses Over to South Africa with KykNET

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay today announces a new adaptation of cinematic and authentic reality competition format, The Bridge, for KykNET in South Africa. A deal with Banijay Rights will see the series  produced locally by Red Pepper Pictures and marks the 11th adaptation of the hit show.

    The Bridge sees strangers join forces in a remote wild location to complete an epic challenge that will test their physical strength and mental ability. Contestants must work together to build an enormous bridge to an island, in order to get their hands on the cash prize at stake. However, just one contestant will walk away with the prize, and must decide whether to share it or walk away with everything…

    The Bridge is an original Banijay format, created by Zeppelin (Banijay Iberia), and has launched in Australia, Brazil and the UK, where it returned with a second season in 2022 and was number one in the slot for younger viewers, increasing the usual slot norm significantly. The new South African iteration follows the four new adaptations of The Bridge which aired on Prime Video in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland last year, with a version for HBO Max in Hungary launching this year

    The agreement was brokered by Robin Pollok, VP Sales Africa, Middle East, Greece & Israel, Banijay Rights, who said: “The Bridge delivers a high-stakes reality competition packed with gripping challenges, in a breathtaking location that has proven to be popular with audiences around the world. We are excited to watch this incredible show travel to new horizons and license a format with KykNet for the first time. We are certain that viewers in South Africa will be equally captivated when it makes its debut.”