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: Helen Greatorex

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.”

  4. 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.”