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: HBO Max

  1. Contestants Clock in for Zeppelin’s Time Zone On HBO Max in Spain

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    Content powerhouse Banijay today announces Zeppelin, part of Banijay Iberia, will produce Time Zone for HBO Max in Spain. Created by Zeppelin and EndemolShine Nederland, the extreme competition show employs video game aesthetics, for a unique and exciting format which is set to air this summer.

    Welcome to Time City, a huge, abandoned facility where the Master of Time has created a real-world video game: Time Zone. Outside its perimeter is desert and dust, inside, 10 players will take on thrilling challenges and complete the levels to defeat the Master of Time. eSports presenter and streamer, Cristinini, will embody this role and monitor the players’ progress as they race against the clock.

    Each level will require great mental and physical skill, and in this competition, time is everything, as at the end of each round, the player with the least amount of it remaining is eliminated. However, ‘time zones’ scattered around the arena offer a few minutes of relief, because when players are inside them, time will stop. Each task also offers the chance to win a reward, from receiving extra seconds to stealing minutes from their teammates. In the final level, a player must face the Master of Time in an epic duel, where only one can walk away triumphant.

    Miguel Martín, Managing Director of Zeppelin says: “Time Zone is a strategic game we have been fortunate to create together with EndemolShine Nederland and HBO Max– both who have trusted in this pioneering format. There is nothing like it… 10 brave participants completely immersed in a unique show totally inspired by video games, in terms of look and language.”

    Miguel Salvat, VP Original Programming and Commissioning Editor HBO Max Iberia adds: “Time Zone immerses you in the universe, aesthetics, and technology of a video game, but with real people, carefully selected for their strategic skill and competitiveness. This happens all under the orders of Cristinini, an expert in the field who acts as Master of Time, both in person and in “cyborg” version. The series stands as a spectacular production, with frenetic rhythm, music and tension, and a unique location. Through new recording elements, the production is a clear commitment to innovation.”

    James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development at Banijay comments: “At Banijay, we strive to develop IP which is innovative, visually powerfully and ultimately, with concepts people will engage in, but are yet to see. Zeppelin and EndemolShine Nederland’s new creation is a perfect example of these elements coming together. It is a clever combination of the two hugely popular worlds of gaming and competition reality, with a healthy dose of strategy added to the mix.”

    Miguel Martín and Floren Abad are executive producers for Zeppelin with Miguel Salvat and Annelies Sitvast the executive producers for HBO Max. The series is produced by Zeppelin (Banijay Iberia) for Warner Bros. Discovery.

    Zeppelin is behind huge shows such as Big Brother Spain and is also the creator of original formats like The Bridge (El Puente), which has now sold internationally to territories including the UK, Australia and Brazil. It is also a pioneer in the development of anime projects in Spain, with  Virtual Hero, the first series of a Spanish animation created by YouTuber Rubius, and the adaptation of Laura Gallego’s trilogy, The Idhún Chronicles.

  2. Banijay Rights Assembles The Bridge with HBO Max in Hungary

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, today announces a new adaptation of The Bridge, with Hungary the latest country on board, marking the sixth adaptation of the survival reality format.

    HBO Max in Hungary will broadcast a local version of the hit competition series, bringing contestants together to build a 250-metre-long bridge to an island for the chance to win a large cash prize. Isolated in nature, the participants have only 20 days to achieve the task, only using what is around them as building materials. While they build the bridge, they must make alliances, because when they reach the island, a vote will be held to decide who gets the prize, with the chosen participant decides whether to share it.

    Presented by Csaba Magyarósi, The Bridge Hungary is produced locally by Free Monkeys Production. All production took place in the area around Lake Belis in Romania, near the Hungarian border.

    The original format was created in Spain by Zeppelin, part of Banijay Iberia. The Bridge has recently experienced a resurgence, with a first-series adaptation in the UK in 2021, and Brazil and Australia debuting this year, with Workerbee, Endemol Shine Brazil and Endemol Shine Australia producing respectively.

    Banijay Rights struck multiple deals for the UK version with broadcasters in the Netherlands and across Africa and Latin America. The UK series also aired on HBO Max in the US, Latin America, and Asia.

    The latest agreement was negotiated by Veronique Verges, SVP German Territories, Poland & Hungary, Banijay Rights, who said: “The Bridge is the ultimate reality test for contestants: bringing together real-world challenges, moral dilemmas, and proper competition in a completely isolated environment. After performing so well in territories including the UK, Australia and Brazil, we are thrilled this incredible series will now go on to delight Hungarian viewers.”

    Annelies Sitvast, Head of Unscripted Original Production, HBO Max EMEA, added: “The Bridge is a game of strategy, negotiation, and trust. It’s a unique combination of an adventure format while also questioning fundamental human nature: would you split or steal a life changing sum of money with someone you’ve only recently met? We’ve already seen the format travel to HBO Max in Brazil and can’t wait for audiences in Hungary to watch it.”

  3. Banijay Rights Takes Rogue Heroes Worldwide

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    Banijay Rights today announces landmark acquisitions of major new six-part limited series Rogue Heroes, as this week’s London TV Screenings showcase event gets under way.

     

    In deals negotiated across the Banijay Rights global sales team, Rogue Heroes has been picked up by HBO Max in Europe, Prime Video in Canada and SBS in Australia.

     

    The agreements follow premium network EPIX’s acquisition of the drama for the US in November last year – the first international deal for the series.

     

    Produced by Kudos and Nebulastar for the BBC – and entitled SAS Rogue Heroes in the UK market – the series is a dramatized account of how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two.

     

    Cathy Payne, CEO, Banijay Rights, said: “As this week’s London TV Screenings event gets under way, it’s an absolute delight to be able to announce these huge global deals for Rogue Heroes. From the get-go, Steven Knight and Kudos’ tour de force World War Two drama has created ripples of excitement from international buyers, and we are excited to expand this series’ global footprint even further.”

    Martin Haines, Joint MD, Kudos, added: “Steven has created a truly brilliant series, and we are thrilled that audiences around the globe will have the opportunity to watch what will be unmissable TV.”

     

    Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book, Rogue Heroes centres on David Stirling, an eccentric young officer, who is hospitalized after a training exercise gone wrong.

    Convinced that traditional commando units don’t work, Stirling creates a radical plan that flies in the face of all accepted rules of modern warfare. He fights for permission to recruit the toughest, boldest, and brightest soldiers for a small undercover unit that will create mayhem behind enemy lines. More rebels than soldiers, Stirling’s team is every bit as complicated, flawed, and reckless as it is brave and heroic.

     

    Rogue Heroes is developed for television and written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, Taboo, A Christmas Carol) and will be directed by Tom Shankland (The Serpent, The Missing), with Stephen Smallwood (The Serpent, Patrick Melrose) as producer. The series is executive produced by Karen Wilson, Martin Haines and Emma Kingsman-Lloyd for Kudos, and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.

     

    Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Vigil) will play David Stirling, with Jack O’Connell (Skins, The North Water) as Paddy Mayne, Alfie Allen (Jojo Rabbit, Game of Thrones) as Jock Lewes, Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk, The King) as SAS Founding member Mike Sadler, and Sofia Boutella (Modern Love, Atomic Blonde) as Eve. Dominic West (The Wire, Appropriate Adult) will play Lieutenant Colonel Wrangel Clarke.

    Commissioned by the BBC, SAS: Rogue Heroes will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

  4. HBO Max Announces The Bridge Brasil Survival Reality Show

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    HBO Max announces the beginning of filming for the Brazilian version of the survival reality show The Bridge Brazil, a Max Originals production that will bring together a group of 14 famous people from the worlds of arts, sports, and social networks to compete for the grand prize of R$500,000.

    Presented by Murilo Rosa, the program’s cast will include singer Pepita, actress Danielle Winitis, singer Badauí, actor Fábio Beltrão, model Suyane Moreira, businesswoman Paola Santerini, cultural entrepreneur Boaventura Carneiro, civil policeman Diego Del Rio, model Priscila Sena, actress and singer Polly Marinho, architect Jordana Louise, businessman and shaper Henrique Fares, among other participants.

    Isolated in nature, they have a common goal: to build a 300-meter bridge to an island, where they will find their prize. To do this, they have only 20 days, and can only use what is around them as building materials. While they build the bridge, they must make alliances among themselves, because when they reach the island, a vote will be held to decide who gets the prize. The chosen participant decides whether to share it with their allies or not.

    “HBO Max is bringing an unprecedented reality to Brazil, unlike anything ever seen before. We know how passionate Brazilians are about this type of program and how much they vibrate and follow each moment,” says Tomás Yankelevich, director of general entertainment content at WarnerMedia Latin America. “THE BRIDGE BRASIL has all the ingredients to win over the audience: a diverse cast, with names already known by the audience, challenges of coexistence, survival in the wilderness and much more,” he adds.

    The Bridge Brasil is a Max Originals production, produced by WarnerMedia Latin America in partnership with Endemol Shine Brasil. Development is by Sergio Nakasone and executive production by Paula Kirchner and Anouk Aaron, from WarnerMedia Latin America, and general production by Nani Freitas and Eduardo Gaspar, from Endemol Shine Brasil. With general direction by Rodrigo Giannetto and direction by Bruno Guerra, the program will be released exclusively on HBO Max.

  5. Banijay’s Dark Comedy, Two Weeks to Live, To Premiere on HBO Max 5th November

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    Banijay Rights announces today that  HBO Max will be the exclusive U.S. streaming home to the British dark comedy, Two Weeks to Live, launching 5th November. The Max Original stars Emmy® Award nominee Maisie Williams in her first role after Game of Thrones along with BAFTA® winner and Emmy nominee Sian Clifford (Fleabag).

     

    A Kudos production, the 6 x 30’ series has received a great reception in the UK where it is currently airing on Sky.

     

    Two Weeks to Live tells a comic tale of love and revenge born from a seemingly harmless prank that goes terribly wrong. Kim Noakes, an early 20-something oddball who, since the murder of her father, has been sequestered away in the wilderness with her doomsday-prepping mother for most of her life. Feeling compelled to go on a belated coming-of-age adventure, Kim sets out to find her dad’s killer and along the way ropes mismatched brothers Jay (Taheen Modak, The Bay) and Nicky (Mawaan Rizwan, Next of Kin) into her scheme.

     

    Matt Creasey – EVP, Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions Rest of World at Banijay Rights commented “Banijay Rights is extremely proud to be partnering with HBO Max on, Two Weeks to Live, as a Max Original.  With great writing and an exceptional cast, the series will keep US audiences entertained and wanting more”.

     

    The drama also stars, Sean Pertwee (Gotham), Thalissa Teixeira (Trigonometry) and Jason Flemyng (Pennyworth).

     

    Produced by Kudos (a Banijay company) for Sky One and Now TV, the six-part original series was created by Gaby Hull, executive produced by Phil Temple, produced by Charlotte Surtees and directed by Al Campbell.

  6. Banijay Rights Sells Four-Part Fifty Fathoms Drama ‘ADULT MATERIAL’ to US Streaming Platform HBO Max

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay,  today announces WarnerMedia streaming platform, HBO Max, has acquired 4 x 60’ drama series, Adult Material, in a deal negotiated by Matt Creasey, Banijay Rights’ newly appointed EVP, Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions Rest of World. The series was originally produced by Fifty Fathoms for Channel 4.

    Matt Creasey comments: “We are thrilled Adult Material has been secured for HBO Max.  This outstanding drama is storytelling at its finest with exceptional performances all-round.   To secure this deal before the UK series has finished airing is a testament to the excellence of this programme.”

    Hayley Squires (Collateral, The Miniaturist, I, Daniel Blake), plays leading British pornstar Jolene Dollar in Lucy Kirkwood’s (The Smoke) new drama, Adult Material.  Juggling glamour on-camera and the reality of motherhood at home, Jolene is a poster girl for the industry. Through her eyes we see a world that isn’t defined by exploitation, but by opportunity for working class women. The hours are good, and the money is great, if you can lie back and think of England, and don’t mind the looks you get at the school gates.

    But the internet has midwifed a revolution in porn. Producers like Jolene’s old friend and colleague Carroll (Rupert Everett; Another Country, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Happy Prince) are forced to push boundaries further than ever before, in search of the erotic, the bizarre, the funny, the disturbing, and above all: the new. In short, something you can get the punters to pay for when everyone wants it for free.

    Adult Material is a story that asks vital and serious questions about sex in the age of the internet, the blurring of fantasy and reality, and economic choices for women. But with the irresistible Jolene Dollar at its heart, it is above all a hugely entertaining, moving, outrageous, and human debate about one woman’s journey away from porn, and towards sex.  The series is directed by Dawn Shadforth and written by Lucy Kirkwood, who is also an executive producer along with Patrick Spence.  Producers are Patrick Spence and Sara Hamill.

    Adult Material, produced by Banijay’s Fifty Fathoms, launched on Channel 4 on Monday 5th October and will stream on HBO Max this December.