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 Banijay Rights Courts Romeo & Duet
Banijay Rights today announces it has acquired global distribution rights to singing dating show format Romeo & Duet – ahead of its UK premiere at 7pm (GMT) on ITV and ITV Hub this Saturday, 16th April.
Created and produced by Goat Films, Romeo & Duet gives its contestants just one ‘sing’ to entice a singleton down from the balcony, and only then will the two come face-to-face for the first time.
The newly formed couple will then head off on a duet-date to learn a duet, before returning later in the show to perform the song in the ultimate romantic love battle; a singing competition against the other couples to be crowned the winners.
Launching on ITV and ITV Hub this week, the primetime show is presented by Oti Mabuse (The Masked Dancer, Dancing on Ice). Banijay Rights holds international distribution rights to the series – for both format and tape sales.
Simon Cox, EVP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “Romeo & Duet is a heart-warming extravaganza that fuses dating and music in a way that hasn’t been seen before on the small screen. Mel Crawford and the team at Goat Films have delivered an amazing spectacle and Banijay Rights is looking forward to taking this show to a whole new viewership worldwide.”
Mel Crawford, Founder of Goat Films, added: “I’m delighted to be working in partnership with Banijay on the worldwide rollout of this wonderful, joyous format. Since our first conversations about Romeo & Duet, Banijay have been great champions of the show and I know they will help us make this a global hit. Here at Goat, we are incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered to ITV and can’t wait for UK audiences to see it on screen for the first time on 16th April.”
Romeo & Duet is Executive Produced by Mel Crawford with Series Editor Christian Fletcher. Romeo & Duet was developed from an original idea created by Ivor and David Baddiel. It was commissioned by ITV’s Joe Mace, Commissioning Editor Entertainment, and Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights Boards the BBC’s The Drop and Extraordinary Portraits
Banijay Rights today announces it has acquired global distribution rights to BBC factual entertainment shows The Drop and Extraordinary Portraits, as this week’s MIPTV gets under way.
Created by Renowned Films for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, streetwear competition The Drop (8 x 60’) sees the UK’s most promising up-and-coming creative entrepreneurs go head-to-head to win the chance to have their first clothing line stocked in a major UK retailer.
Across the competitive business format, the contestants are mentored by Grammy Award-winning recording artist, style icon and S1C streetwear brand owner Miguel – who also serves as Executive Producer – as they complete weekly themed challenges to help them develop their brand and business. Banijay Rights holds global rights for the finished series and format.
Meanwhile in Extraordinary Portraits (6 x 60’) – from Chatterbox Films for BBC One and BBC iPlayer – musician and passionate collector of art Tinie (formerly known as Tinie Tempah) matches members of the public with extraordinary stories to a selection of distinctive and celebrated portrait artists.
The artists are then challenged to turn these personal and powerful experiences into compelling portraits using different mediums of art, from underwater photography to street art, with the final piece unveiled to the sitter and their family and friends.
Cathy Payne, CEO, Banijay Rights, said: “The Drop and Extraordinary Portraits are two outstanding cutting-edge factual shows that showcase different crafts at the highest level, from dazzling streetwear design to intricate portraiture. These factual series epitomise the range and depth that sits within Banijay Rights’ multi-genre catalogue of more than 120,000 hours, and we’re in no doubt they will be a big attraction to international buyers this year.”
Both The Drop and Extraordinary Portraits join Banijay’s outstanding slate of Spring 2022 highlights, which includes entertainment formats Starstruck, Limitless Win, The Courtship, Language of Love, Your Body Uncovered and Shaolin Heroes. On the scripted front, Banijay Rights is highlighting dramas including Rogue Heroes, Then You Run and Signora Volpe.
Comments Off on Erin Doherty, Billy Howle, Pippa Bennett-Warner and Jack Farthing to Star in BBC One and Amazon Prime Video Thriller Chloe
Filming has started in Bristol on Chloe, an original psychological thriller, from Mam Tor Productions for BBC One and Amazon Studios. The six, one-hour episodes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and will be available on Amazon Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
A mystery about obsession, deceit, identity and grief from creator and writer Alice Seabright (director, Sex Education), Chloe stars some of the UK’s hottest young acting talent including Erin Doherty (The Crown), Billy Howle (The Serpent), Pippa Bennett-Warner (Gangs of London) and Jack Farthing (Poldark).
The exciting young cast also unites Poppy Gilbert (Stay Close), Akshay Khanna (Grace), Brandon Micheal Hall (Search Party) and newcomer Alexander Eliot.
Having recently drawn critical acclaim for her portrayal of Princess Anne in The Crown, Doherty plays Becky. Still living with her mum and working as a temp, Becky compares herself to the picture-perfect lives on Instagram, compulsively returning to one account: Chloe’s (Gilbert). Becky obsessively watches her seemingly flawless life through social media. But when Chloe dies suddenly, Becky’s need to find out how and why leads her to assume a new identity and engineer a ‘chance’ meeting with Chloe’s best friend, Livia (Bennett-Warner), and infiltrate Chloe’s group of close-knit friends.
Through her alter-ego Sasha, Becky becomes a powerful, transgressive heroine; a popular, well-connected ‘someone’ with a life, and loves, that are far more exciting and addictive than the ‘no-one’ she is as Becky. However, the pretense soon obscures and conflates reality, and Becky risks losing herself completely in the game she is playing.
Alice Seabright says: “Becky is a complex, courageous heroine and there is no one better to play her than Erin. All these characters have been a dream to write, and it now feels like they’ve found their soulmates in our amazing cast. I can’t wait to start bringing the show to life with them, and with our wonderful crew. Thank you to the BBC and Amazon, to our brilliant writers, Kayleigh Llewellyn, Poppy Cogan, and Bolu Babalola, and to my partners in crime – the powerhouses Tally Garner and Morven Reid.”
Taking full advantage of Bristol’s rich cultural scene from the art to music, Chloe will also feature the work of artists local to the region, including an original score composed by Will Gregory (Goldfrapp) featuring Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Alison Goldfrapp.
Tally Garner, Executive Producer at Mam Tor Productions, says: “Alice is an exceptionally unique talent. She has built these characters from the ground up and we love them all so much. To see them come to life, played by such a phenomenally talented cast is beyond exciting. They are all amazing. Huge thanks to Ben Irving and Piers Wenger at the BBC, and to Cathy Payne and Simon Cox at Banijay Rights, who have been steadfast partners right from the start, and to the team at Amazon Studios for loving ‘Chloe’ too, and taking her global. It’s going to be an addictive, emotional rollercoaster of a show.”
Ben Irving said: “It’s been a joy to watch these characters develop on the page through the incredible work of Alice and the whole creative team behind this drama. We couldn’t wish for a more exciting cast to be taking them on their onward journey to the screen. I can’t wait for audiences to meet them all on BBC One.”
Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide Licensing for Prime Video, said: “We’re excited to be working with the incredible Alice Seabright and this talented cast on this audacious thriller, ‘Chloe,’ as well as the teams at BBC One and Mam Tor Productions. We look forward to bringing this gripping and potent series to our Prime Video customers.”
Chloe (6×60’) is a coproduction between BBC One, Mam Tor Productions and Amazon Studios, has been commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer. It is created, written, and directed by Alice Seabright who also serves as an executive producer. The series producer is Joanna Crow (Giri/ Haji) and second block director is Amanda Boyle (Skins). Executive producers are Tally Garner (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell) and Morven Reid (Pure) for Mam Tor Productions, and Ben Irving for the BBC.
Banijay Rights is the international distributor for Chloe, with the business’ Matt Creasey, EVP Sales and Acquisitions serving as broker of the exclusive worldwide SVOD deal with Amazon.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights Appoints Matt Creasey EVP, Sales, Co-Productions & Acquisitions Rest of the World
Banijay Rights today confirms it has secured Matt Creasey as EVP, Sales, Co-Productions & Acquisitions, Rest of the World. The announcement follows Banijay’s recent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group and onward integration of the two global businesses.
Creasey, who will report to Banijay Rights’ CEO, Cathy Payne, joins the leading sales division from Endemol Shine International, where, until now, he served as EVP, Sales and Acquisitions. Continuing to operate from Los Angeles, he will oversee all sales operations and the team for territories outside EMEA.
Having joined Endemol Shine International back in 2006 as Director of Sales, Distribution, Creasey has spent his career to date selling and exploiting some of the world’s largest entertainment brands. With an invaluable client base, cross-platform sales experience, unrivalled knowledge of the catalogue and extensive commercial wisdom, he will work closely with Banijay Rights’ newly-appointed leadership team to set the strategy and grow the business across his assigned territories. Exploring opportunities across linear, SVOD and AVOD, he will also handle scripted co-productions in the US and rest of the world, alongside sales and acquisitions.
Prior to his significant stint at Endemol Shine International, Creasey was Head of Sales at Celador International.
Cathy Payne, CEO, Banijay Rights comments: “Matt has long been a highly-valued senior member of the Endemol Shine team and I could not be more pleased to have him joining me at Banijay Rights. He has an undisputed knowledge of the industry and is sure to thrive in his new position leading rest of the world across the united catalogues.”
Matt Creasey adds: “Bringing together an unrivalled catalogue of global hits, a hugely talented team and an impressive sales network, Banijay Rights now stands as one of the world’s biggest distribution leaders, and what better place to call home. I’m looking forward to working with Cathy again and can’t wait to get started on driving maximum value for our treasure trove of IP in the US and beyond.”
Banijay Rights’ extensive multi-genre catalogue of over 88,000 hours of content now comprises key brands including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Temptation Island, MasterChef, Wallander, Mr Bean, The Wall, Fort Boyard and Deal or No Deal.
Comments Off on Nineteen11, Award-Winning Indie, Signs First-Look Deal with Banijay Rights
Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay, today announces a first-look deal with the award-winning regional independent production company, Nineteen11. The deal will give Banijay Rights exclusive access to a wide range of programming, encompassing documentaries, factual entertainment, and reality tv, including brand new Channel 4 commission, Swingers.
Nineteen11 CEO and in-house Executive Producer, Brian Hayes, has worked in the TV industry for more than 25 years, directing series such as the BAFTA award-winning First Dates, and Grierson shortlisted GPs:Behind Closed Doors. In addition, Hayes has had a key role on some of Britain’s most compelling documentaries such as 24 Hours in Police Custody and 24 Hours in A&E. Hayes also won an RTS Award for his work on The Family.
Having previously distributed Nineteen11’s award-winning series, The Posh Frock Shop,which sold to more than 50 territories, Banijay Rights will now have exclusive access to new series emanating from Nineteen11. The first shows to come from the first-look agreement are Channel 4 titles The Pet Talent Agency: Barking Mad (1 x 60’)and Swingers (1 x 60’).
Emily Elisha, Head of Factual, Banijay Rights, comments:“We are really excited to have partnered with Nineteen11. Brian has a keen eye for characters and settings that tell great stories and these latest films are further brilliant examples of that. We look forward to bringing future projects to the international market as well.”
Brian Hayes, CEO, Nineteen11, said:“I’m delighted to have cemented Nineteen11’s successful relationship with Banijay Rights. They represented The Posh Frock Shop impressively, giving us access to a very wide and diverse range of international buyers. Nineteen11 is working on some exciting and ambitious ideas and we’re confident that Banijay Rights has the team to help us bring them to the global market.”
Comments Off on Political Drama, Stonehouse, Wins BBC Script Commission
Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay, today announces that the BBC has commissioned John Preston to write Stonehouse, a three-part drama about the MP of the same name, who famously faked his own death.
On 20 November 1974, a pile of clothes was found on a beach in Miami. It appeared that John Stonehouse had gone swimming and was assumed drowned or killed by a shark. Despite the absence of a body, obituaries were published. However, it transpired he was very much alive and en route to Australia to set up a new life with his mistress and secretary, Sheila Buckley.
The mini-series will be co-produced by the UK indie Clearwood Films and Snowed-In Productions, with Ellie Wood (Decline and Fall, Bleak House) and Ruth Kenley-Letts (Mrs Wilson, C.B Strike) on-board as executive producers. Banijay Rights will handle international distribution.
Stonehouse is the second collaboration between Wood and Preston. Wood has produced, The Dig for Netflix, a forthcoming feature film adaptation of Preston’s novel of the same name, starring Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James and Johnny Flynn.
John Preston is also the author of A Very English Scandal, adapted into a multi-award winning three-part drama for the BBC, starring Hugh Grant.
Later this year, Ellie Wood will produce But When We Dance, a single film for the BBC about living with Parkinson’s and the therapeutic effects of ballet.
Global distributor Banijay Rights has a first-look development deal with Clearwood Films demonstrating the company’s commitment to working with some of the best and most creative talent to strengthen its scripted offering. Stonehouse is the first drama production to emerge from the partnership.
Ellie Wood says,“I’m delighted to be working with John and the BBC on this extraordinary story. John has an exceptional tone and the ability to bring remarkable characters to life and together we hope to create a drama that will resonate with audiences worldwide.”
John Preston comments,“There has never been a more bizarre true-life story than that of John Stonehouse, who miraculously came back to life a month after his own “death”. I am thrilled to have the chance to dramatise a case which has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.”
Chris Stewart, Commercial Director at Banijay Rights adds,“Nothing creates scintillating drama quite like a true story and we can’t wait to see this infamous and fascinating tale brought to life by Ellie, John and the BBC.”
Comments Off on Cathy Payne Takes Lead on Banijay’s Distribution Engine
Following her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Banijay Rights back in April, Banijay today confirms Cathy Payne remains in post following the recent acquisition of the Endemol Shine Group. Overseeing the scaled-up distribution arm, she will now execute the integration of the two offerings and guide all exploitation across the portfolio of commercial finished tape.
Encompassing linear and non-linear exploitation, including VOD and self-publishing relationships, Payne will be at the forefront of Banijay Rights’ commercial drive. With a multitude of brands under one roof, her remit will span the 88,000+ hour catalogue, which includes Survivor, MasterChef, Temptation Island, Mr Bean, Peaky Blinders and Big Brother to name a few.
Continuing to report to Banijay’s Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, Payne is already underway on bringing the two significant catalogues under one roof, with a new website and app planned for roll-out in September. The ambition is also to have the teams combined by autumn, with the integration process commencing this month.
Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay comments: “Cathy is without doubt one of the industry’s strongest commercial champions and just what we need in the ‘new world’ of content. Consistently driving value and opportunity, she is the prime voice to have at the helm of the business as we start the combined roll-out and exploitation of all 88,000 hours of catalogue.”
Cathy Payne comments: “In an increasingly integrated production and exploitation business environment, it is critical that we have all finished tape efforts under a combined strategy. Banijay Rights has a tremendous offering for our clients and plenty of valuable opportunities for prospective brand partners worldwide.”
Comments Off on Banijay Group Enlists Cathy Payne to Lead Distribution
Banijay Group today confirms the appointment of Cathy Payne as CEO, Banijay Rights. Previously CEO, Endemol Shine International, she has been brought on board to lead the business’ growing global distribution strategy and activities and take the division through its impending next phase.
An industry veteran, Payne brings a wealth of experience and commercial acumen, and will be tasked with overseeing the positioning and exploitation of Banijay Rights’ expanding catalogue, building the business’ reputation and that of its brands across the world. The move follows almost ten years of service with Endemol, most recently under the guise of Endemol Shine International, where she directed all worldwide distribution efforts, steering its six-territory strong team and in-house and third-party content sales, as well as working closely with the commercial team on IP exploitation. During her tenure, she projected the business’ Scripted capabilities through international co-productions and was behind the global roll-out and success of numerous hit brands including Peaky Blinders, Mr Bean, Grantchester, Tin Star and Younger, alongside the continued longevity ofHome and Away, in addition to working alongside the production and creative businesses on expanding non-scripted franchises: MasterChef, Big Brother, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Ambulance and Lego Masters.
Prior to taking on the role of Chief Executive, Endemol Worldwide Distribution, in 2009, Payne was Chief Executive at Southern Star International. There, over the course of 20 years, she was responsible for building one of the largest distributors of English-language content outside of the U.S.
In line with the expansion plans for distribution, Tim Mutimer will now fulfil the role of EVP, EMEA Sales & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights. Working collaboratively with Payne, he will oversee the team and all activity for the region.
Payne will adopt her new role on Monday 27 April 2020, reporting to CEO, Marco Bassetti.
Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive, Banijay Group comments: “Cathy is an exceptional leader and incredibly well-respected industry mogul. A creative entrepreneur with extraordinary market knowledge and commercial intelligence, she is behind some of the world’s biggest distribution successes. Having worked with her directly and admired her work from afar, we have long-followed her journey and could not be more excited to have her joining ours, as we continue to build the business and its footprint worldwide.”
Cathy Payne adds: “It has never been a more exciting time for content creation and distribution, and I am energised to be joining the team as it embarks on this period of expansion.”
The Banijay Rights catalogue currently comprises some of the world’s leading formats and titles including Survivor, Versailles, Temptation Island, Wife Swap, The Restaurant, The Inbetweeners, The Crystal Maze, Wisting, Occupied and The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights Signs First-Look Deal With Firecrest Films
Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has signed a first-look deal with award-winning Scottish production company, Firecrest Films. The new deal will give Banijay Rights exclusive access to brand new documentaries, factual television series and features from the critically-acclaimed producer.
Glasgow-based Firecrest Films has expanded rapidly since taking a minority investment from the Channel 4 Growth Fund in 2017; and in 2018 was named the fastest-growing independent television company outside London. The investment enabled the company to expand its creative team and diversify by adding high-end documentary and factual formats to its catalogue. In the following year, Firecrest won more awards than any other Scottish indie, and it was highlighted as one of The Best Places to Work in TV; it made both the highest-rating Panorama film for BBC One and the highest rating Dispatches film for Channel 4.
Included in the Banijay Rights catalogue will be Firecrest’s critically-acclaimed legal documentary, Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Margaret Fleming (2 x 60’) for BBC Scotland and BBC Two. Filmed by BAFTA Scotland award-winning director Matt Pinder, this compelling documentary is described by the press as “A gripping legal drama about neglect and avarice in a remote coastal community, a tragic and often surreal tale delivered with sensitivity and meticulous craft.”
Murder Case (2 x 60’) is another Firecrest Films production for BBC One Scotland and BBC Two, and is also included in the catalogue. The factual crime series achieved more than six million viewers and has already been commissioned for a further 3 x 60’ series.
The Secret Life of the Museum (4 x 60’), a new factual format for BBC Scotland, is also part of the new deal between Banijay Rights and Firecrest Films. The Secret Life of the Museum will be available from Banijay Rights as either a format or finished programme. Currently in production, the series follows nine children aged around ten-years-old as they visit different museums. The children’s experiences are then intercut with interviews with curators from the museum who tell us the facts behind the collection.
Andreas Lemos at Banijay Rights comments, “We could not be more excited by this latest partnership. We have long-admired Firecrest Films. Its factual series and documentaries have not only made a huge impact on screen but have resonated in the wider media as well – just going to show the power behind the stories that they choose to tell. We cannot wait to introduce Firecrest’s work to the international market, who we know are waiting in anticipation.”
Nicole Kleeman, Managing Director of Firecrest Films adds, “It’s a hugely exciting time to be a fast-growing indie in the Nations. Having the support from Banijay Rights will help us continue our growth into new genres and markets.”
Comments Off on Banijay Rights and Arcadia Content Seal History and Science Development Pact
Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has today confirmed a co-development agreement with award-winning, Canadian indie, Arcadia Content. The deal will see both parties co-develop new factual projects, together seeking financing based on pre-sales.
Halifax-based Arcadia Content specialises in history and science programming and boasts more than 500 hours of premium factual programming including the highly successful If We Built It Today, which currently airs on Science.
Banijay Rights and Arcadia Content have already begun discussions on a slate of innovative new projects including Disaster: If It Happened Today and CGI history dive series, Wreck Raisers.
Andreas Lemos, Commercial Director – Factual at Banijay Rights said, “Arcadia Content is a real trailblazer in the factual world, producing entertaining and illuminating documentary films and series for leading broadcasters around the globe. We are delighted to be working closely together to co-develop and co-fund new projects, enabling them to create even more intriguing science and history programming for eager viewers.”
John Wesley Chisholm, Creative Director at Arcadia said, “Working with Banijay connects us as regional producers in a global market. The new paradigm in producer/distributor developed projects positions us to think beyond our home markets; to develop and finance ideas that give our local broadcast customers the right shows, at the right time and right price, while also creating shows of broad global appeal and long shelflife.”
Banijay Rights has recently entered into a number of successful co-development deals such as Touchdown Films and First Look TV. As a result of pre-sales secured by the distributor, projects such as Touchdown’s Artist to Icon and First Look’s Inside The Mind of a Serial Killer have been greenlit with broadcasters Ovation and Reelz coming on board.