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: Germany

  1. Shona Fraser Appointed Managing Director of Good Times

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    Banijay Germany today announces a new leadership structure at Good Times, with entertainment producer and joint Managing Director, Shona Fraser, appointed to solely lead the company, working in partnership with Chief Operating Officer Knut Kremling.

     

    Shona Fraser has an extensive industry reputation for entertainment programming, having established Battle of the Reality Stars, Love Island and Naked Attraction in the German market. She has held posts in entertainment, development and programming at RTLZZWEI, and served as an Executive Producer at RTL Studios, Tresor TV and MME, where she was responsible for Popstars and Next Top Model Germany.

     

    Shona Fraser, Managing Director of Good Times says: “Together with the strong Good Times team, I am looking forward to creatively shaping the future of this production house, working closely with colleagues at Banijay. I’m a true fan of the exisiting portfolio, and want to fully develop its potential, as well as exploring new exciting ways to captivate audiences with a fresh slate of programmes.”

     

    Marcus Wolter, CEO and co-shareholder of Banijay Germany says: “Over the years, Good Times has been built into a unique creative company, and without a doubt, the success will continue with Shona at the helm. She is a TV visionary, bringing innovation and originality to all her programme-making, and the company has a bright future ahead.”

     

    Shona Fraser replaces Good Times founder, Sylvia Fahrenkrog- Peterson, who is leaving the company. She founded the label in 1998, positioning it as a producer of daytime brands and prime-time hits such as Mein Lokal, dein Lokal, Der Trödeltrupp and Armes Deutschland. In 2019, the then independent company was acquired, and its 150 employees were integrated into Banijay Germany. Shona Fraser, who will take over the reins, was bought  in recently to bolster the management of the business.

  2. Zodiak Kids Secures Pre-Sale for Mumfie

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    Zodiak Kids, part of Banijay, today announces it has secured a pre-sale from KiKA Germany for its upcoming new animated series of the heritage property Mumfie (78 x 7’). The series, directed by the French director Daniel Dubuis, is a co-production between Zodiak Kids Studio France and Italian animation studio Animoka alongside France Télévisions and Rai (Italy).

     

    KiKA will launch the series in their 6:30 kids prime time slot.

     

    Mumfie is a preschool comedy series based on Britt Allcroft’s Magic Adventures of Mumfie(creator of Thomas & Friends and the film Thomas & The Magic Railroad). Told with heart and humour, the brand-new series features the optimistic young elephant Mumfie, who along with his best friends, Pinkey the flying pig and Jelly Bean the colour-changing jellyfish, are the helpful heroes of this whimsical series. As our trio embark on their daily adventures you’ll get to meet their eclectic bunch of animal friends: a cheeky crocodile who thinks he’s a king and his mischievous cat confidant; there’s a hermit crab mayor and a giraffe who runs a hotel on an iceberg; you’ll see a jolly yellow whale and a skateboarding zebra, as well as some pirate wolves and a Greek chorus of funny frogs. In this world, nothing is quite what it seems and no matter what challenges arise, no flop, failure or fiasco is unfixable for Mumfie and his friends.

     

    Sebastian Debertin, Head of International Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions, KiKA said: “We are truly delighted to be adding Mumfie to KiKA’s schedule of pre-school programming. I think our audiences will fall in love with the absolutely unique and eclectic cast of characters and adore exploring the magical world of Mumfie with them.”

     

    Benoit Di Sabatino, CEO, Zodiak Kids said: “Following France (FTV) and Italie (RAI) Mumfie is now travelling to Germany, it’s found the perfect home in such a prestigious kids house with KikA!  We can’t wait to bring KiKA’s audience the funny, exciting and touching adventures of Mumfie and his friends created by Britt Allcroft.”

     

    Britt Allcroft’s Mumfie was a beloved and classically animated children’s musical series, first shown in the UK in the 1990’s on CiTV, Fox Kids in the USA, and many other international channels. The series was lauded for its gentle storytelling and earned top ratings.

    Zodiak Kids own international distribution rights to the series.

  3. Banijay’s Name That Tune Makes Comeback in Germany

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    Banijay Productions Germany, a Banijay company, today confirms it will produce, Let the Music Play – Das Hit Quiz (Name That Tune) for SAT.1.

     

    Returning after 20 years, the German adaptation will be hosted by Amiaz Habtu, and Wolf & The Gang will perform the music. Blending nostalgia with current pop culture, songs from any genre and any decade are played live in the studio on this musical gameshow. Let the Music Play – Das Hit Quiz sees three contestants battle it out across five rounds to see who can correctly name the song the quickest – only one contestant will go through to the final and be in with the chance of walking away with €10,000.

     

    Arno Schneppenheim, CEO of Banijay Productions Germany comments: “We’re looking forward to adding our twist to the well-loved format and putting Germany’s music knowledge to the test. Amiaz Habtu is the perfect fit to host Let the Music Play – Das Hit Quiz and we’re excited for audiences to enjoy the music.”

     

    Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Head of Format Acquisitions comments: “Having recently added this format to our catalogue, it is great to secure another commission. The format taps into what audiences love about gameshows, whilst the live music brings a celebratory, fun atmosphere, both for the contestants and those playing along at home.”

     

    Let the Music Play is based on globally-renowned format, Name That Tune, which has already travelled to 26 markets to date. Originally created in America, the traditional gameshow re-launched on FOX in January 2021, hosted by Jane Krakowski with Randy Jackson leading the band.

     

    Since Banijay added the format to its catalogue earlier this year, Name That Tune has enjoyed renewed success. Produced by Banijay Italia, the second series broke records for TV8, becoming the second most-watched entertainment programme aired in prime time for the channel during the 2020/21 season. In the UK, the format has also received increased attention, with two episodes airing as part of ITV’s “Epic Gameshow.” The first episode was ITV’s highest-rated show of the day and the second had a peak audience of 3.51 million viewers.

     

    Banijay Rights distributes the format outside of the US, Canada, Australia, Russia and Poland.

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

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    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. “

  5. Banijay Renovates Changing Rooms for Germany

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    Banijay today announces home renovation format Changing Rooms is making a comeback in Germany after 15 years.

     

    Commercial broadcaster RTLZWEI has ordered a 4-part series from Banijay Productions Germany, which is set to air later this year.

     

    This year will also see the legendary property series refreshed in the UK, making a high-profile return to its home market. Produced by Shine TV, the UK series will air on Channel 4, in partnership with Dulux.

     

    Changing Rooms sees two sets of homeowners from the same neighbourhood work against the clock to renovate a room in each other’s houses. They might not share the same tastes, but they are completely in charge of creating a new look for the chosen room – and anything goes.

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations, Creative Networks at Banijay says: “In a year when the world has been forced to stay at home, we’ve learned that property and interiors shows have become more relevant than ever before. Home renovation and DIY are thriving and viewers are hungry for inspiration for refreshing and fun designs. With the UK and now Germany updating the show to suit the Instagram and Pinterest generation, we are already seeing advanced interest in other markets.”

     

    Arno Shneppenheim, Managing Director at Banijay Productions Germany says, “Changing Rooms offers great renovations and high-drama as neighbours take charge of one another’s homes. Viewers can expect jaw-dropping moments as well as plenty of hints and tips on how to upscale and design with flair.”

     

    Shona Fraser, Head of Entertainment & Development at RTLZWEI comments: “We’re very excited to bring the “Changing Rooms” reboot to Germany and think it will be a perfect fit for our young female audience. We’ll be telling the story across all our linear and digital platforms to reach our audience on all touchpoints.”

     

    Changing Rooms first launched in the UK in 1996 and has been adapted in 12 markets. The format has made recent returns in the US where it is known as Trading Spaces, as well as Australia.

    Led by Arno Schneppenheim, Banijay Productions Germany has a diverse slate spanning entertainment, comedy, reality and adventure. Recent and forthcoming credits include Temptation Island and Temptation Island VIP, Battle of the Reality Stars, Stand Up 3000, Undressed and Sing On!

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

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    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.”

  7. Banijay Germany and Sascha Rinne Management Form Joint Venture

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    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.”

  8. Big Performance – wer ist der Star im Star? Jennifer Lopez, Mick Jagger, Adele?!

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    Brainpool, a Banijay company, confirms thatits new entertainment show, Big Performance – wer ist der Star im Star?will air on RTL this autumn. Jennifer Lopez, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, Katy Perry, Adele and Prince – the audience will see the world’s biggest popstars come together on stage and sing their greatest hits. But the big question is, who’s the star in the star?

     

    Behind each world-famous singer is a German celebrity transformed into their favorite music legend with the help of an elaborate special-effect mask, as well as professional coaching to perfect their idols’ facial expressions, gestures, singing voice and dance routines. Which celebrity fan delivers the most accurate emotional and unique transformation? Who succeeds in the perfect illusion?

     

    Hosted by Daniel Hartwich, the Saturday night show will feature spectacularly-staged performances, a comedy panel and studio audience. All they have to do is guess which star is impersonating the star. Every performance starts with the stars singing Lipsync. Only in the course of the song does the performance change to live vocals. The guessing game is fueled further by this, and, through clips which offer hints about the star’s true identity. After each round, the panel and the studio audience select who best embodied their music idol and thus delivered the perfect illusion – until a winner is chosen in the final.

     

    Big Performance – wer ist der Star im Star? promises astonishing transformations, spectacular music performances and great guessing fun for the whole family.  At the same time, it is a homage to the music legends who will be portrayed in the show and whose biggest hits will be heard again.

     

    The new series was developed in house – all format rights for The Star in the Star is with Banijay. Four episodes will be produced in Cologne in August and broadcast on RTL this autumn.

  9. The search is on for Germany’s Home of the Year

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    Good Times, a Banijay company, confirms filming has begun on HGTV’s first German in-house production, Home of the Year.

    Eva Brenner and Guido Heinz Frinken, a professional dream team will present the series, which will be broadcast on the network this autumn.

    Well-known German presenters and interior designers, Brenner and Frinken, act as an expert jury in the search for the most fascinating home in Germany. They will tour unusual and unique houses of all kinds – a must-watch for design and architecture lovers!

    The HGTV channel was launched just a year ago.

  10. European Song Contest Winner Conchita Wurst and Steven Gätjen Set to Present the Free European Song Contest Live on ProSieben

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    Glamour and gala on the international stage: Conchita Wurst, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and ProSieben Oscar legend, Steven Gätjen, will present the new Free European Singing Competition from Stefan Raab and ProSieben, live on Saturday, 16 May 2020.

     

    ProSieben CEO Daniel Rosemann:“Conchita and Steven are the perfect choice for a big, musical evening. Conchita thrilled millions of people with his Eurovision Song Contest performance and won the contest. No one is better placed for this European musical idea. Steven is at home at the world’s big galas and the perfect host with outstanding live experience.”

     

    Which musician will sing into the hearts of the audience at the #FreeESC for Italy? Who makes Turkey at one with the whole of Europe through its performance? Which performer enchants the audience for Israel? And who will score for Germany? At the Free European Song Contest, prominent musicians perform their songs live for their country of origin on the biggest international stage of the evening in the Cologne-based studio. In the end, the audience awards points and selects the first winner of the new, free European song competition.

     

    Stefan Raab and ProSieben celebrate a great European music event on television and bring people from all countries together through music.The show is produced by Raab TV, part of Brainpool, a Banijay Group company. Of course, all current legal requirements and those of the health authorities will be met during production.

     

    The Free European Song Contestairs live at 8.15pm on Saturday, May 16, 2020, on ProSieben and Joyn – #FreeESC.

  11. Brainpool TV Brings “Luke, Alone at Home” to the German Nation Via Sat.1

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    Exceptional circumstances call for exceptional broadcasts. As Germany social distances and stays indoors, Brainpool TV, a Banijay Group company today announces the launch of new interactive show, Luke, Alone at Home for Sat.1. Airing daily from Monday 23 March 2020, the live show, without an audience, will see a camera rig capture star, Luke Mockridge, as he stays at home with the nation.

    In each episode, the comedian and entertainer gathers the audience at his campfire from 6pm to 7pm. From the sofa and via the screen, Luke makes contact with his audience: What do people do to stop the walls closing in? What are they doing differently while in quarantine? This is a show dedicated to uniting the nation from a small, improvised at-home studio.

    Luke Mockridge comments: “Maybe we can become the German equivalent of the Italian balcony! An injection of happy go-lucky with music, talk, switching around the world and the challenge of not only broadcasting every day, but somehow coming through this difficult time together! I’ll do it as long as you’re with me!”

    SAT.1’s MD, Kaspar Pfl-ger adds: “In these times, live television is particularly important. In the morning, SAT.1 informs its viewers much more intensively with the reduction of breakfast television. And at night, we invite viewers to sit with and next to Luke on the couch, so that the crucial home-being becomes lighter and more enjoyable. Thank you, Luke, for doing this wonderful, anarchic show from your improvised studio with us.”

    Luke, Alone at Home is produced by BRAINPOOL TV in collaboration with Lucky Pics on behalf of SAT.1.

  12. UKTV Acquires High-End Drama Thriller, The Gulf, From Banijay Rights

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has sold premium drama title, The Gulf to UKTV for its local audiences. The series will air on the broadcaster’s crime drama channel, Alibi.

    The deal, which will see the 3 x 90’ series launching on Alibi in early Spring 2020, was brokered by Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Scripted at Banijay Rights, and Daniel Thomas, Acquisitions Manager at UKTV.

    Daniel Thomas, Acquisitions Manager at UKTV comments, “We are really pleased to have acquired this exciting new thriller for Alibi as we continue to include the very best of international crime drama in our schedule. Our viewers are extremely discerning and The Gulf, with its unique take on a crime story set against the incredible backdrop of New Zealand, will have wide appeal.”

    Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Scripted, Banijay Rights adds, “We are delighted that UKTV will be bringing this absorbing and original antipodean series to a UK audience where I’m sure it will engage a new legion of drama fans looking for their next crime fix. The Gulf, co-produced by Banijay Group’s Screentime New Zealand, has launched in New Zealand and in Germany to much acclaim and is proving to be a very desirable drama property for us with further sales already in the pipeline.”

    Elsewhere in Europe The Gulf will also travel to Poland, after being acquired by Canal+ for its channel, Ale Kino+.

    This follows hot on the heels of the previously announced U.S. pick up of the drama, where AMC Networks’ streaming service Sundance Now will feature the exclusive U.S. premiere of The Gulf beginning Wednesday, 4th December 2019.

    Domestically, the series was a ratings winner for New Zealand broadcaster TV3 and is the top performing mini-series of 2019 to date. The drama pulled in a launch audience 40% above the channel average. Meanwhile, in Germany The Gulf consistently outperformed the slot average by more than 10%.

    Recently launched at MIPCOM, German-New Zealand thriller The Gulf, (6 x 60’) centres around the moral disintegration of Detective Jess Savage, who finds herself caught between upholding the legal justice system and morality, as she investigates crimes on her home patch of Waiheke Island, New Zealand. The Gulf is an international co-production from Banijay Group’s Screentime New Zealand, Lippy Pictures, German fiction specialist Letterbox Filmproduktion, a member company of the Studio Hamburg Production Group, and broadcasters ZDF and TV3.