Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Helen Greatorex

  1. Banijay Entertainment Acquires Global Format Rights to Atypical Critics from Pixcom

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    Content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces it has acquired the global rights to innovative new factual-entertainment format, Atypical Critics. The culinary format was created, developed and produced in French-Canada by Pixcom, producers of hit series MasterChef Quebec.

    Atypical Critics is a refreshing and unique format featuring autistic food critics who bring their distinct perspective to the culinary world. In each episode, the foodies descend upon coveted restaurants to assess renowned chefs and their three-course meals. With no fixed boundaries, the connoisseurs offer unfiltered and insightful feedback and advice to improve the dining experience, with a mix of humour, spontaniety and authenticity. The show champions inclusion and celebrates neurodiverse minds, aiming to make the gastronomic world more welcoming and accessible to everyone.

    Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquistions, Banijay Entertainment, says: “Atypical Critics is a bold, heart-warming format highlighting neurodiversity while challenging the conventions of culinary critique.  This format not only expands our portfolio with a fresh, inclusive take on the genre, complementing our successful food offering of hits like MasterChef, but also encourages important conversation about representation and inclusion. We believe this show has the potential to entertain audiences in multiple markets and spark meaningful conversations about neurodiverse perspectives.”

    François-Étienne Parent, Vice President Content, Pixcom, says: “We are thrilled to see Atypical Critics achieve global distribution through our partnership with Banijay Entertainment. The show thrives on the dynamic interplay between acclaimed chefs and our autistic critics, where diverse perspectives meet culinary mastery. This interaction not only brings fresh insights to the table but also challenges preconceived notions, fostering a better understanding of neurodiversity.”

    Isabella Federigi, Vice-President, Content Development and Programming, AMI-télé, broadcaster of the original version, says: “At AMI-télé, we give a voice to people with disabilities through accessible content, authentic storytelling, representation, and positive portrayal. Seeing a format like Atypical Critics acquired by a world-renowned distributor such as Banijay Entertainment speaks not only to the quality of the production, but also to the growing recognition of neurodiverse talents and perspectives on the global stage. This is an important step for inclusion and for enhancing the visibility of people with disabilities.”

    Recent additions to Banijay Entertainment’s third-party portfolio include Genuis Game from CJ ENM, adapted for ITV by Banijay UK’s Remarkable Television, with David Tennant hosting; and Bloody Game, originating from Korea’s MBC, which debuted in Norway and was commissioned for a second season by TV2, with Mastiff Norway producing. Also garnering interest is Trick House from TV Asahi in Japan, which just launched in Norway; Love is a Highway from Attraction in French Canada; and The Game of Wool, from Hello Halo, part of STV Studios.

    These titles sit alongside Banijay Entertainment’s format hightlights for MIPCOM 2024, which include Three Are The Champions, By Land, Air and Sea, Dream Home, Origin Odyssey, Headliners, The Never Ever Mets, Deal or No Deal Island, Dessert Masters and The Fortune Hotel. Elswehere, there are highly-anticipated Netflix launches Bear Huntand Building a Band (w/t), and the group is now responsible for producing LOL: Last One Laughing for Prime Video in eleven markets and Love is Blind for Netflix in three countries

  2. Banijay Entertainment Picks Up Global Rights to Digital-First Format The Infiltrators

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    Content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces it has acquired the exclusive format rights for The Infiltrators, a heist-themed gameshow from Cowshed Studios, the production company within creative agency, Cowshed Collective. The deal was brokered by Luci Sanan at 53 Degrees North Media.

    Originally launched on Channel 4’s digital-first brand, Channel 4.0 – a dedicated YouTube and social media channel – The Infiltrators is a gameshow featuring popular content creators posing as a group of mastermind thieves. The format revolves around the contestants as they infiltrate an eccentric billionaire’s home and navigate a complex security system in a series of weird and wild physical challenges.

    Helen Greatorex, Head of Acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment says: “We’re always looking to discover new content from all sources, and this unique deal showcases the brilliant creativity we seek to complement our own IP portfolio. With its high viewership and retention, and strong potential for recommissions, this budget-friendly format is well-suited for production companies across Banijay Entertainment looking to pitch series with elements of escape rooms, strategic gameplay, and popular game shows.”

    George Cowin, Co-Founder & CEO at Cowshed Creative says: “The Infiltrators is a highly adaptable format, and while we launched on digital-first platform Channel 4.0, this could easily sit on linear or streaming platforms. With Banijay Entertainment’s expertise and global reach, paired with the current popularity in formats with strategic game play and physical game, we see great international potential.”

    Recent additions to Banijay Entertainment’s third-party portfolio include The Fortune Hotel from Tuesday’s Child, which successfully launched on ITV; Genuis Game from CJ ENM, adapted for ITV by Banijay UK’s Remarkable Television, with David Tennant hosting; and Bloody Game, originating from Korea’s MBC, which debuted in Norway and was commissioned for a second season by TV2, with Mastiff Norway producing. Also garnering interest from is Trick House from TV Asahi in Japan, and Love is a Highway from Attraction in French Canada and The Game of Wool, from Hello Halo, part of STV Studios.

     These titles sit alongside Banijay Entertainment’s vast catalogue of hit travellers like The Summit, Good Luck Guys,  Love Triangle and The Fifty, superbrands MasterChef, Big Brother and Survivor, and highly-anticipated Netflix launches Bear Hunt and Building a Band (w/t).

  3. Banijay Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane with MBC’s Alumni Lovers

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today announces it has acquired the format rights to Alumni Lovers, an innovative dating reality show from MBC, which launched in South Korea last December. The deal will see Banijay’s SimpelZodiak and Endemol France represent the format in the Netherlands and France. The news was revealed by its Global Head of Acquisitions, Helen Greaterox,  on a MIPTV panel titled: ‘What Buyers Want’.

     Alumni Lovers invites singletons who share the common bond of graduating from the same school to a special dating reunion. Unforgettable moments unfold as the singles reunite and take a trip down memory lane on a series of themed dates designed to help them reconnect and find love. As the nostalgia grows and emotions run high, will love blossom between any of the contestants in this quest for love? 

    Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay says: “Alumni Lovers is a beautifully romantic series, with a distinctive take on the dating genre. Fresh off the back of a successful launch in Korea, we anticipate interest building across the Netherlands and France given this title’s unique approach to the concept of ‘finding love’. With emotionally-fuelled entertainment at its heart, this show is a brilliant  and complementary addition to our burgeoning portfolio of dating formats.”

    Jean Hur, Director of Format Sales and Co- Development, MBC adds: “Alumni Lovers presents an innovative twist on the dating reality format, with a mixture of heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments, as the contestants take a nostalgic journey through their old school days together. With universality and relatability at its heart, we are confident this show will resonate with global audiences and we are pleased to be partnering with Banijay to roll it across the Netherlands and France.”

    Recent additions to Banijay’s third-party portfolio include The Fortune Hotel from Tuesday’s Child, set to launch on ITV soon; Genuis Game from CJ ENM, which has been adapted by Banijay UK’s Remarkable Television, with David Tennant hosting for ITV; and Bloody Game, originating from Korea’s MBC, which debuted in Norway and was re-commissioned for a second season by TV2, with Mastiff Norway producing. These titles complement Banijay’s new IP offering of The Summit, Deal or No Deal Island, Shaolin Heroes, Banged Up, Upside Down and Will They, Won’t They, and prolific catalogue of world-class IP and super brands.

  4. Banijay Checks in at The Fortune Hotel

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    Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay today announces it has acquired the global distribution rights to new ITV1 and ITVX reality entertainment series, The Fortune Hotel.

    In a deal negotiated by Banijay Rights with Tuesday’s Child – the producer behind hit competition reality format, LEGO® Masters (with 20 versions produced globally) – Banijay will represent the format, with distribution arm, Banijay Rights, handling finished tape sales for the new primetime series, which invites viewers into a luxury Caribbean resort filled with glamour, opulence and deception.

    Hosted by Stephen Mangan, the 8 x 60’ series will see 10 pairs of contestants arrive at The Fortune Hotel, where they will each be given an all-important briefcase. However, only one plays home to the ultimate cash jackpot of £250,000… Eight are empty, and one contains the dreaded Early Checkout Card – whichever pair is left holding that at the end of each show will see their stay brought to a dramatic, and premature, end.

    The Fortune Hotel will launch on ITV1 and ITVX in 2024, produced by creators Tuesday’s Child who also retain the rights to produce the format in the US.

    Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions, Banijay and Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights said in a joint statement: “Building on our excellent long-standing partnership with Tuesday’s Child, we’re thrilled to now partner on The Fortune Hotel, the edge-of-your-seat competition series that provides twists aplenty in a fabulous sunny location. We’re excited by the potential for this format to travel across our production footprint and beyond and are in no doubt both format and finished series will resonate globally with viewers worldwide.”

    Karen Smith, Managing Director, Tuesday’s Child, added: “We’re delighted to, once again, be working with Banijay on this new high-paced event series, continuing our ever-fruitful partnership which began with global format sensation LEGO Masters.”  

    Every day The Fortune Hotel contestants have the chance to try to uncover who has which case through playing compelling challenges, and as the “Whogotit” mystery ramps up for the hotel guests, viewers at home will remain deliciously in-the-know throughout, witness to all of their plans and strategies playing out.

    The climax of each episode is the nerve-shredding case swap in the seductive Lady Luck bar where each pair must decide whether to keep or swap. Have the couple with the life-changing sum of cash managed to bluff and blag their way free of suspicion? Or will their case be ruthlessly taken off them? And who will be left holding the Early Checkout Card?

    Ben Wilson is Series Editor for Tuesday’s Child with Steph Harris as Executive Producer.

  5. Banijay rides on Attraction’s Highway

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    Attraction announces an important deal with content powerhouse Banijay for the international distribution of its brand-new hit format Love is a Highway (Coeur de trucker) following its selection by Fresh TV at MIPTV.

    Love is a Highway is a heartwarming dating reality format that follows single truckers on a unique road trip to find love. The show, commissioned by Canada’s TV5-UNIS TV, combines romance, travel and adventure as contestants embark on a journey across stunning destinations and deepening emotional connections along the way.

    “We are thrilled to bring this great format to the market” said Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay. “It is a fresh and authentic take on the dating reality genre, with its unique road trip concept that will resonate with global audiences seeking love and adventure.”

    “Attraction is delighted to partner with Banijay for the first time. Its enthusiasm for Love is a Highway is palpable and gives us great hope for the international success of the format,” adds Richard Speer, CEO of Attraction. “Banijay’s global reach, extensive experience, and strong track record in content distribution make it the perfect partner to help us take this format to new heights.”

  6. Helen Greatorex to Lead Format Acquisitions for Banijay

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    Content powerhouse, Banijay, today announces Helen Greatorex has stepped up as its Head of Format Acquisitions. Continuing to report to Global Head of Content Development, James Townley, she will leave behind her Senior Global Development Producer title to take on the group’s dedicated strategy in this area.

    Serving as Senior Global Development Producer for Banijay since September 2021, she has been working with a number of the group’s key territories in supporting their unscripted pipelines, in order to extend the potential of their IP within the wider footprint. Prior to this, she spent a year as a Format Manager across key super brands including Big Brother, Hunted and Temptation Island.

    Greatorex is not new to the acquisitions world having acted as Group Acquisitions Manager for Endemol Shine Group between 2014 and 2020. She is well-versed in recognising and bringing in unscripted titles with hit potential, with considerable deal-making and market experience. Outside Banijay, and building up her content know-how, she spent almost nine years at K7 Media, leaving as Director of Operations in 2014.

    James Townley comments: “Helen has long been an integral part of the team and it’s great to have her taking on the acquisition reins. Her content know-how is extensive, and her ability to recognise an emerging hit is like no other, so I can’t think of anyone better placed to guide this area of the business. I look forward to watching her grow further in this role and continue to broaden the Banijay IP offering globally.”

     Helen Greatorex adds: “It’s been great to explore other areas of the business over the past few years, but I’m pleased to be back in the acquisitions hot seat. There is so much opportunity to drive even greater creativity through having a good grasp on what’s going on outside our walls, and I’m looking forward to bringing that knowledge into the group to further strengthen our own offering, and supplement our production pipeline with undiscovered IP.”