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: IWC

  1. Banijay’s Location, Location, Location Lands First Season in New Zealand

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    Screentime New Zealand today announces it will adapt the property format Location, Location, Location in association with AA Insurance. Originally created by Banijay UK’s IWC, the widely popular long-running series has been commissioned by TVNZ and will air in New Zealand for the first time, marking the seventh version of the property powerhouse.

    Captivating audiences with its unique blend of real estate expertise and heartfelt storytelling is an international success. The UK leads the charge maintaining high ratings across its 28 seasons for Channel 4, Denmark follows with 14 seasons for TV2, and just last year, Australia enjoyed a successful reboot for Network 10.

    Philly de Lacey, CEO of Screentime New Zealand comments: “The launch of this iconic format in New Zealand will ignite conversations around the property market as house-hunters seek out their perfect home, whether upsizing, downsizing, or first-time buying. Partnering with AA Insurance brings together a premium sponsor with this classically warm format and is testament to its universal appeal.”

    Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay says: “With its proven returnability and longevity, Location, Location, Location is an enduring success with audiences and broadcasters worldwide. This tried and tested format is still relevant in today’s ever-changing market, expertly blending entertainment with property insights.”

    With the casting announcement underway, AA Insurance Location, Location, Location is looking for eager house-hunters in search of the perfect property. The addition of this title is complementary to Screentime New Zealand’s impressive catalogue, which boasts award-winning drama, documentary, and factual entertainment series. Among its hits are MasterChef New Zealand, Eat Well For Less, and Police Ten 7, as well as hit travelling drama, The Gulf.

  2. Susan Calman to Uncover More of Scotland’s Secrets with IWC and Motion Content Group for Channel 5

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    IWC, a Banijay company, and Motion Content Group, today announce Channel 5 has commissioned a third, extended 10×60’ seriesoffactual entertainment show, Secret Scotland.

     

    Susan Calman is back for another awe-inspiring journey around her native Scotland, getting private tours of iconic Scottish spots, uncovering hidden secrets of the past and present, and gaining special access to magnificent castles.

     

    In this third series, Susan will be visiting ten more stunning locations, from quiet countryside to brooding coastline, and from the East Neuk of Fife to the Western Isles. Along the way, she will take an in-depth look at the history, people and traditions of the area, and try her hand at learning some ancient skills.

     

    This longer series is building on the ratings success of Secret Scotland season two, which peaked at an audience of 1.6 million.

     

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer at IWC said: “Scotland is home to some of Britain’s most beautiful locations, and having our series extended to ten episodes means that we can explore even more of what it has to offer, with Susan’s warmth and humour making her the perfect guide.”

     

    Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 said: “It’s great to see Susan back on Channel 5 with even more secrets and hidden gems from her latest journey around Scotland. It’s business as usual with lots of laughs and fascinating people to liven up our lives in this unusual year, as the nights draw in.”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5, and is Executive Produced by Gerard Costello for IWC and Melanie Darlaston for Motion Content Group. Secret Scotland will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  3. IWC to make Holiday Hire Makeover Format for Channel 4

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    IWC, a Banijay company, today announces it has been commissioned to make TX pilot, Hire My Home, afactual entertainment format for Channel 4.

     

    Featuring two skilled interior designers, Anna Campbell-Jones (Scotland’s Home of the Year) and Zeena Shah, this show takes bland rentals and turns them into unique holiday lets. The designers are each assigned a property in the same area of the UK and given a budget by the owner to transform it. It will be their job to give each property a stunning makeover, drawing inspiration from the character and culture of the surrounding area, and creating a stand-out style would-be holidaymakers can’t ignore. The rejuvenated rentals will then be judged by 100 Brits via a Hire My Home app, with photographs and price point uploaded. Swiping through the pictures, each of them will decide if they would book it or not, just as people do in the real world. But which designer will come out on top?

     

    The show is commissioned in a summer where many are opting out of foreign travel and holiday rentals in the UK can expect a boom in popularity. For the thousands of homeowners who advertise their properties online, there has never been a better time to make sure theirs stands out from the crowd. Whether it’s a first-timer who has never listed their place or someone who wants to refresh a rental that has seen better days, Hire My Home is ready to turn their property into a design dream.

     

     

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer at IWC said: “Letting our designers loose on some of the UK’s holiday lets is a great way to see some exciting and characterful transformations. This format will not only give Channel 4 viewers great inspiration for their next staycation, it will be full of creative ideas for improvements they can make in their own homes.”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Jo Street, Head of Daytime and Head of Hub, Glasgow for Channel 4, and is Executive Produced by Gerard Costello for IWC. Hire My Home will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  4. IWC to Make Shelf Isolation Series for BBC Scotland

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    IWC, a Banijay Group company, today announces it has been commissioned to make an 3×30’ series, Shelf Isolation for BBC Scotland.

     

    At a time where we are being asked to stay indoors, some of us may now be able to read more books, watch that classic movie and finally catch up on one of those box-sets our friends have been raving about. In this brand-new series, Shelf Isolation, award-winning author and cultural guru, Damian Barr, will be remotely meeting with some famous Scottish names to get their tips on what to read, watch and listen to. The line-up includes actor, Mark Bonnar (Quiz, Shetland, Line of Duty, Guilt, Catastrophe), comedian, actor, writer and director, Greg Hemphill (Still Game, Chewin’ the Fat), and award-winning crime writer, playwright and graphic novelist, Denise Mina.

     

    Damian will be interviewing his guests from his home via an app to record the discussion and giving us a window into their homes. In these intimate talks, he will not only be finding out what cultural pleasures our guests would most recommend to help get us through these troubled times, but also the emotional impact they have and how they reveal something about their own lives.

     

    Pauline Law, Executive Producer and Head of Factual at IWC said:“Damian’s passion for literature and culture, and his skills as an intelligent and nuanced interviewer make him the perfect presenter to get recommendations out of some of Scotland’s best-loved celebrities. We are looking forward to finding creative and innovative ways to produce this show for BBC Scotland in these extraordinary times.”

     

    Damian Barr said: “The books, films and music we love say so much about us – every time we pick up a novel or sit down to another box set, we add another chapter to the story of ourselves.  And they give us the chance to forget about the world around us and disappear somewhere else, if only for a while.  Right now we can’t leave home but we can still travel and meet new people and have new experiences in books, tv and film “Shelf Isolation” gives us a unique glimpse into how some well-known folk are self-isolating as they reveal what’s getting them through –  the classics they’re returning to or their latest box-set binge.  I’m delighted to be presenting this show and hope it gives viewers (and me!) inspiring, distracting and comforting recommendations. Join us!”

     

    “I’m looking forward to a new series of The Big Scottish Book Club later in the year but in the meantime,  “Shelf Isolation” will provide some much needed fun, humour but also insightful chat on what are the best books, movies and box sets to catch up on at this time” says Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland… “Damian Barr was a great host for the first series of Big Scottish Book Club and there couldn’t be anyone better to get some top names opening up about their favourite books and entertainment choices. ”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Gareth Hydes, commissioning editor BBC Scotland, and is Executive Produced by Pauline Law for IWC.  Shelf Isolation will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

  5. Relisted: Scotland’s Home Of The Year Recommissioned – Hunt Is On For Next Winner

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    Filming on series two of Scotland’s Home Of The Year begins in August and programme-makers IWC, a Banijay Group company, are looking for contenders. They want to hear from the owners of all kinds of properties, from urban studio flats to historic country piles. From Shetland to Stranraer and Orkney to Oban, prime properties from all over Scotland will be in the frame.

    Jo Street, Commissioner for BBC Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to announce a second series of Scotland’s Home of the Year. It isn’t just about showing off million-pound properties – it’s about truly celebrating what people have done to turn their house into a home, expressing their individuality through their design, flair and imagination. We saw some cracking houses over the course of series one and there are far more gems to uncover for series two.”

    The first series of Scotland’s Home of the Year became a hit with viewers after it was broadcast on the new BBC Scotland channel in April and May this year.

    The series has since seen its audience continue to grow on iPlayer with requests to view so far hitting more than a quarter of a million – 266,000.

    The format saw three judges – architect Michael Angus, interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones and lifestyle blogger Kate Spiers – travel the length and breadth of Scotland to discover architectural gems and unearth some stunning interiors. Both traditional and contemporary properties were put under the microscope and judges considered everything from a one-bedroom apartment to a centuries-old country castle … and everything in between.

    Each home was scored on functionality, distinctiveness and clever design and from seven finalists, one clear winner of series one was chosen – the White House in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, created by proud owner Lesley Smith and her late husband Mike.

    Series two will have a slightly longer run than series one with nine 30-minute heats, each featuring three properties from a specific part of the country. The 27 houses featured will then be whittled down to a final nine which will go under the spotlight in an hour-long final episode.

    Gerard Costello, Executive Producer, IWC said: “We are thrilled that Scotland’s Home of the Year is returning to the BBC Scotland channel. The first series was a joy to make and we have only scratched the surface of the beautiful and distinctive homes Scotland has to offer. We can’t wait to get started.”

    If you’d like to be considered for the next series of Scotland’s Home of the Year, get in touch at scotlandshomes@IWCMedia.co.uk

    For more information, contact BBC Scotland Press Office on PressOfficeScotland@bbc.co.uk,
    or 0141 422 6381.

  6. IWC Sets Sail on Yacht Rock

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    IWC, a Banijay Group company, today announces it is producing I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock, a 2×60’ documentary series for BBC Four. The shows, which are set to air this summer, will explore the smooth sounds of the 70s and 80s.

     

    In I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock, Katie Puckrik will explore a period of time where Los Angeles studio-based artists like The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and Hall & Oates produced smooth R&B and married it to adult themes about longing, aspiration and melancholy, to create a unique brand of soft rock. In its day, this music was never categorised as a genre, but now, in the 21st century, it has be known as Yacht Rock due to its finely crafted nature.

     

    Since Puckrik considers Yacht Rock the soundtrack to her teenage years in America, she argues this critically neglected genre of music is in need of a re-appraisal. The first of this two-part series will focus on the 70s and the second, the 80s, and will feature contributions from John Oats (Hall & Oates), producer Mark Ronson, the writer who popularised the term Yacht Rock JD Ryznar, and elite musician Jay Gradon, who played on tracks by Steely Dan and Hall & Oates. The second episode features members of the band Toto.

     

    Katie Puckrik said: “When I was growing up in the Virginia suburbs in the 70s and 80s, Yacht Rock was the music that sailed out of my girlfriends’ cassette players, the older boys’ muscle cars, and the grown-ups’ cocktail parties. I’ve never stopped loving Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, and the rest of those smooth movers, because they twang my bittersweet spot of escapism and melancholy. The magic of Yacht Rock is that just listening to it makes us feel sexy, happy, and rich. I think of it as ‘millionaire’s make-out music’ – the sound of endless summers.”

     

    Executive Producer Franny Moyle said: “Katie Puckrik is perfectly placed to guide us though this underappreciated musical genre, and her knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject has helped us create this fantastic series. This music was written in a sun drenched past, but it feels timeless.”

     

    The series has been commissioned by Emma Cahusac, Commissioning editor BBC Arts and Music and is Executive Produced by Franny Moyle for IWC. Ben Whalley produces and directs. I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.