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.
Comments Off on Endemol Shine Italy Creates AI-Driven Improv Comedy, Fake Show
Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today announces Endemol Shine Italy, part of Banijay Italy, has created with Rai RadioTelevisione Italiana SPA a brand-new comedy entertainment format, Fake Show– Diffidate delle imitazioni. The new original show will air in primetime this autumn.
Hosted by Italian actor, comedian and author, Max Giusti, this original new format puts AI in the spotlight and celebrates the highest form of flattery, imitations. In each episode, brilliant celebrities showcase their improv skills, impersonating characters, dialects, objects, sounds and even their fellow showbiz counterparts. Alongside the famous faces is a comedic version of AI generating unpredictable situations, rules, and games, so expect hilarious laugh-out-loud viral moments.
Leonardo Pasquinelli, CEO Endemol Shine Italy says: “Fake Show promises a comedic and fun evening highlighting the world of impersonation, improv and imitation. We’re excited to showcase AI in helping create eccentric sketches which the audience will love to watch again and again. Full credit to the team behind the format’s creation and delivery, including our very talented host, Max Giusti.”
James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development adds: “We are seeing continued demand for light-hearted formats that put a smile on viewers’ face, and Fake Show guarantees just this. With AI at its heart, this ground-breaking format is versatile, scalable, connects audiences and we’re excited to see what the future holds for it.”
EndemolShine Italy is behind the local production of high-profile entertainment formats including Big Brother for Canale 5 and Deal or No Deal for Rai1, as well as LOL: Last One LaughingItaly and Celebrity Hunted for Amazon Prime Video.
Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today announces the AI Creative Fund, a new opportunity for producers and labels across Banijay’s 21 territories to showcase ideas with technology and innovation at their heart. This new addition to the group’s various other creative initiatives, aims to fuel and supercharge people and teams to create formats which push the boundaries of creativity using Artificial Intelligence and technology.
The age of AI is upon us, and as it begins to shape our world, there is an increasing demand for people to create fresh, forward-thinking formats in the technology space. The new AI Creative Fund is for visionaries within Banijay who are developing ideas using tech, and those that are keen to explore the endless possibilities in the world of this new technology. Successful ideas will receive development funding via Banijay’s Creative Fund.
James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development at Banijay says “We’re extremely passionate about innovation, and this latest AI Creative Fund will empower our producers across the footprint to create new formats which embrace tech, whether that be central to the show, or redefining the production process. We’re in a new era of technology and innovation, and while human creativity will always prevail, it’s important to work alongside the tools which are available to contribute to the future of ground-breaking entertainment.”
This new AI initiative is a group level investment which complements the Banijay Creative Fund, which to date has already supported the evolution of original travelling formats, Blow Up (Endemol Shine Nederland), Love Triangle (Endemol Shine Australia), The 50 (Banijay Productions France), Save the Date (Endemol Shine Finland and and Endemol Shine Israel), Starstruck (Remarkable), among others.
In 2022 alone, Banijay was behind the launch of 200+ non-scripted titles, and 90+ pilots, and with further creative incentivisation and reinvestment on the horizon, the organisation’s supercharged pipeline looks strong for this year, with The Summit (Endemol Shine Australia), Hot Wheels (Endemol Shine North America in association with Workerbee under license from Mattel Inc.) and Rush (Endemol Shine Australia) all launching successfully and garnering further interest globally.
Comments Off on Contestants Clock in for Zeppelin’s Time Zone On HBO Max in Spain
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.
Comments Off on Cuarzo Producciones Heads to the Dominican Republic for ¡Vaya Vacaciones!
Content powerhouse Banijay today confirms Cuarzo Producciones, part of Banijay Iberia, will co-develop a brand-new reality show ¡Vaya Vacaciones! with Mediaset España.
Presented by Luján Argüelles, ¡Vaya Vacaciones! is set to be the perfect summer watch. Eight celebrity couples will stay in an all-inclusive luxury hotel, accompanied by a couple of their choosing. Together they will enjoy the sun and sea of the Dominican Republic. However, expect twists, unforeseen situations and unforgettable moments as the serenity can’t last forever.
Juanra Gonzalo, Managing Director at Cuarzo Producciones says: “Spain loves reality TV, and we hope they’re as excited as we are about ¡Vaya Vacaciones!. Not only will the show be full of addictive entertainment, but we’re also thrilled to have Luján on-board with her unique style and sense of humour.”
James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development at Banijay adds: “¡Vaya Vacaciones! is the perfect summer viewing, with a tantalising combination of a luxury location, celebrities and of course some twists and drama. Reality TV continues to be in big demand globally, attracting huge audiences, and this new format really taps into Cuarzo’s expertise at delivering world-class entertainment in this genre.”
Jaime Guerra, Director of Content Production at Mediaset España: “At Mediaset España we are constantly searching for new entertainment formats, whether they are products that have proven successful in the international market or programmes developed together with production companies, such as ¡Vaya Vacaciones! It is a reality show that will showcase a range of relationship dynamics and have humorous elements, making it the perfect content for the summer.”
Cuarzo Producciones is a highly creative and experienced producer, from entertainment and reality to talk shows and documentaries. Its credits include Where is Marta? For Netflix, Trash or Treasure and Temptation Island of which Banijay has enjoyed seven and 20 international versions to date, respectively.
Comments Off on Banijay Promotes Townley and Green
Content powerhouse Banijay today announces the elevation of James Townley and Lucas Green. Continuing to oversee Creative Networks, the group’s non-scripted operation, the pair will now operate as Chief Content Officer, Development and Chief Content Officer, Operations respectively.
Taking effect immediately, the elevations signal Banijay’s continued commitment to creativity. As Chief Content Officer, Development, Townley maintains his position in enhancing unscripted development across the group at-large, while also overseeing 3rd-party format acquisition. Expanding his remit to include documentary, his department continues to manage all group level investment in non-scripted, including the Creative Fund, which to date has already supported the evolution of original travelling formats, Blow Up (EndemolShine Nederland ), Love Triangle (Endemol Shine Australia) and Starstruck (Remarkable). In 2022 alone, Banijay was behind the launch of 200+ non-scripted titles, and 90+ pilots, and with further creative incentivisation and reinvestment on the horizon, the organisation’s supercharged pipeline looks strong for 2023, with The Summit (Endemol Shine Australia), Hot Wheels (Endemol Shine North America in association with Workerbee under license from Mattel Inc.) and Rush (Endemol Shine Australia) commissioned and garnering further interest globally.
In the Chief Content Officer, Operations role, Green partners with the group’s non-scripted labels worldwide to drive production efficiency and creative best practice. Bringing producers together, he and his team support, scrutinise and champion existing formats to ensure high-quality output, innovative production methods, favourable margins, and unrivalled global footprints. Establishing healthy production ecosystems, his team provides production consultancy to implement Banijay’s vast collection of format bibles. One further key aim is the ongoing expansion, success, and brand integrity of superbrands such as Big Brother, Survivor, MasterChef, Temptation Island,and their spin-offs. Recently evolving the role, he also takes responsibility for ESG (environment, social and governance) across the unscripted portfolio, in keeping with the business’ overarching goals in this area.
Both parties report to Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, who said of the promotions: “James and Lucas have been fantastic forces for Creative Networks, ensuring a productive, well-travelled non-scripted pipeline. Creative reinvestment, efficiency and rights retention are all central to our global strategy, and to date, the pair have been key in championing these elements across the group globally. While the market has its challenges, we have a robust operation in place to maintain the high standards of delivery and innovation our buyers have become accustomed to, and ultimately, our leading position in international formats.”
The announcement follows K7’s latest report, which unveiled Banijay as “Distributor of the Year” for producing the most new format launches in the market for 2022.
Comments Off on Banijay Spotlights Premium Portfolio for London TV Screenings
Content powerhouse, Banijay, today confirms the line-up for its bespoke London TV Screenings event on Wednesday 1 March at BAFTA. It marks the second physical participation in the wider annual distribution gathering, which runs from Monday 27 February to Friday 3 March.
Shining a light on scripted, Banijay Rights’ premium offering includes UK dramas Three Little Birds for ITV and BritBox International, This Town and The Sixth Commandment for the BBC, Domina for MGM+ and Sky, Safe Home for SBS, as well as feature documentary LARA (w/t).
This year’s stellar scripted offering will be complemented by Banijay’s unscripted formats fronted by its Creative Networks team. Included are fresh interior design competition, TheBig Interiors Battle; addictive dating and relationship shows, Love Triangle, Date My Mate, Save the Date; entertainment newcomers,Boomerissima and Cover Night; competition titles Blow Up and MasterChef Young Talent; and sneak peeks will be on offer for much-anticipated adventure reality, The Summit, and comedy entertainment, No Strings Attached.
As part of the exclusive, invite-only event, This Town creator, writer and executive producer, Steven Knight, stars of Three Little Birds Rochelle Neil, Yazmin Belo, and Saffron Coomber, will be interviewed live on the BAFTA stage, as well as The Sixth Commandment writer Sarah Phelps and director Saul Dibb; Safe Home star Aisha Dee, Domina creator Simon Burke and award-winning LARA (w/t) director Mags Gavan.
Cathy Payne, CEO at Banijay Rights says: “This year’s Banijay at BAFTA event is set to have the strongest line-up yet, and we’re proud to create a truly must-attend showcase for international buyers, with a high-calibre of talent supporting us on stage. With an extensive range of genres, bringing globally relevant themes to audiences, we expect our eclectic roster of content to be immensely popular.”
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development & Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay comment: “From Love Triangle to Blow Up and No Strings Attached, at Banijay, we have a strong pipeline of emerging IP that we’re proud to present. This is down to our creatives who we are delighted to support in super-charging their ambitious ideas and getting them on-screen and travelling the world.”
Banijay Rights’ footprint in the premium documentary space has expanded over the last year, and along with Banijay Benelux joint venture Scenery, it’s lining up LARA (w/t). Directed by the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning Mags Gavan, the film recounts an extraordinary reconciliation story between Jorge Lara and Juan Pablo Escobar – the son of notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.
On the scripted front, Banijay Rights is highlighting Three Little Birds, the six-part drama created by Sir Lenny Henry which depicts his mother’s stories of leaving Jamaica in the 1950s. The project is produced by Tiger Aspect Productions in association with Douglas Road Productions – both Banijay UK companies. Meanwhile, from Kudos, (a Banijay UK company) and Nebulastar, and co-produced with Mercury Studios, in association with Kudos North, Stigma Films, and Nick Angel for the BBC, This Town tells the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn into the world of ska and two-tone music. This marks the first project of the Kudos-Knight creative partnership deal which supports the Birmingham film and TV industry.
The Sixth Commandment, from Wild Mercury Productions (a Banijay UK company) and True Vision Productions, is a true crime drama which explores the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Anne Moore-Martin in a small English village, while Domina returns for a second season, from Tiger Aspect Productions in association with MGM+ Studios, continuing the epic sweeping drama series that takes place during one of the most provocative periods in Roman history.
In addition, thriller Safe Home, the first commission for Imogen Banks’ new production company Kindling Pictures, which follows Phoebe, played by Aisha Dee, a 20-something professional who leaves her job at a prestigious law firm to work at a struggling family violence legal centre. As interconnecting stories unfold, relationships are tested and pressure mounts to save the centre.
Joining Banijay’s factual competition offering is brand-new interior design format, The
Big Interiors Battle from Banijay UK’s Remarkable Factual. Eight people with an eye for design receive the keys to an apartment where they are challenged to transform a different room each week. Will their key card work when they next try to enter or have, they been locked out the competition?
Love Triangle is a bold new relationship show created by the producers of Married at First Sight Australia, Endemol Shine Australia. It challenges a group of singles to relinquish their grasp on what they think their perfect partner should look like and instead choose, sight unseen. Following its successful first season on Stan, it has been recommissioned for a second series. Produced by Dragonfly in the UK, Date My Mate also explores modern dating. Based on the Endemol Shine Australia format Date Night, singles swipe through prospective suitors on the formats’ dedicated real-life app and then watch the subsequent dates unfold. In addition, in Save the Date single women tired of the dating world gain total control of their love life by setting a wedding date, before they have even begun to search for their partner. Will setting a love deadline help them find the one? Created by Endemol Shine Israel, Endemol Shine Finland produced the first series for Nelonen.
Boomerissima, created by Banijay Italia, is all about proving the superiority of your generation. Each episode sees celebrities from different eras pitted against each other highlighting TV shows, movies, music, famous names, adverts, etc to refute stereotypes and highlight whether things were better in the past or the present. The first series concluded on Rai 2 this month, outperforming the channels slot average across all demographics. Next up, how would Flowers by Miley Cyrus sound as rap or Beyonce’s Crazy in Love as a ballad? Cover Night is the singing contest from Shine Iberia that sees young talented singers (16+) go head-to-head as they transform hit songs into different genres and add their own twist to covers, accompanied by a live band.
Elsewhere, there are strong signs competition entertainment combos are here to stay with brand new formats from the Netherlands, and the Nordics. Amongst Banijay’s successful formats is Blow Up, created by EndemolShine Nederland and now commissioned in four territories. The first season which aired in the Netherlands last summer was the number one show in the slot on all commercial key demos with the slot average up 168% for 6-12-year-olds. Banijay also has the latest spin-off from MasterChef, the world’s most successful cookery television format which was created by Franc Roddam, starring a new generation of promising chefs, aged 13 to 18. Created by Danish company Metronome, and Nordisk Banijay in Norway, for Viaplay Group, this exciting and authentic new iteration aims to equip a future generation with the best tools within the industry, providing them with the platform and experience to one day, hopefully, fulfil their chef dreams.
On the first-look side, The Summit is a new and highly anticipated blockbuster adventure reality series created and developed exclusively with the 9Network by Endemol Shine Australia. Set in New Zealand’s rugged southern Alps, a group of strangers carrying an equal share of 1 million Australian dollars must reach the peak of a distant mountain in just 14 days to win the cash. All that stands in the way are a series of adrenaline-charged challenges and human nature. In a thrilling tale of endurance, survival, and greed; morals will be tested, physical limits pushed, and bonds broken. Will they work together or turn on each other as the going gets tough? And if they reach the summit in time…who will walk away with the money? Combining comedy with entertainment, RDF Television’s No Strings Attached invites a different celebrity in each episode to read an erotic piece of creative writing where they are the lead role. The adult fan fiction brought to life by puppet versions of the stars will encounter romance, scandal, mystery, intrigue, and farce.
More than 20 distributors join founder members Banijay Rights, Alll3Media International, Entertainment One, Fremantle and ITV Studios in showcasing their catalogues at this year’s London TV Screenings.
Comments Off on Helen Greatorex to Lead Format Acquisitions for Banijay
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.”
Comments Off on CJ ENM’s ‘The Genius Game’ Gets Optioned to Banijay
Banijay today announces it has inked an option deal with leading entertainment company, CJ ENM, for its survival game show format, The Genius Game, across the UK, Denmark, and Norway, with Remarkable Entertainment, Mastiff TV Denmark, and Mastiff TV Norway.
The Genius Game tests players’ intelligence and social savviness. The players are chosen based on their social IQ, charisma, charm, and intelligence to participate in a unique battle of intelligence and manipulation. Players compete in the Main Match and the Death Match, to challenge their analytical reasoning, attention to detail, memory, and loyalty. In order to become the Genius, players must form secret alliances and decide who to trust and who to betray in order to increase their chances of survival.
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay says: “The Genius Game is an entertaining, high-stakes, social game which has generated significant international interest. We have experienced and talented creatives in the UK, Denmark, and Norway who are ready to bring this psychological social experiment to audiences.”
“We are overjoyed to create opportunities for The Genius Game to be produced in different versions of the show. With the elements of a hit show, including problem solving skills, social skills and the betrayal element, it is a show that can entertain viewers from all territories. As a multi-season mega-hit show in Korea, bolstering our IP in a local format will bring so much fun and thrill to its viewers as well,” says Diane Min, Head of Format Sales at CJ ENM.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands adapted version of the show The Genius: The Netherlands premiered on October 3rd.
Comments Off on Banijay’s Unveils Format and Scripted Highlights Ahead of MIPCOM
Leading producer/distributor, Banijay, proudly announces its all-new, stand-out titles for MIPCOM. Taking up residency with an expanded presence since its last visit, the global player is set to make a noisy return to the market, as it prepares to raise the curtain on its latest creations.
Love Triangle, Blow Up, Le Plus Grand Karaoké de France, and MasterChef: Young Talent, will all make their Cannes debuts in Banijay’s format line-up, along with Starstruck, and Banijay Rights’ premium scripted titles Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Bali 2002, and Serial Lover, and third-party titles Stonehouse and Riches.
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay, says: “At Banijay we promote collaboration, innovation, and creative autonomy, and this is unmistakable with our extensive MIPCOM slate, with distinctive and fresh formats coming from Australia, UK, France, and the Netherlands. We’re very much looking forward to heading to Cannes in person, offering broadcasters new premium entertainment, bold dating shows and showcasing the modern evolution of our super brands – all of which, have travelling potential at their core.”
Cathy Payne, CEO at Banijay Rights, says: “Our portfolio is further evidence of how we are tapping into the international audience’s desire for high-end content with nuanced narratives, and visually powerful series. Our line-up for MIPCOM epitomises this with fascinating, compelling stories from across the Banijay footprint and beyond. We can’t wait to showcase our new eco-friendly stand and spend some time face-to-face with all our clients from across the globe.”
Love Triangle, from Endemol Shine Australia for Stan, is an unpredictable and explosive relationship journey filled with love, heartbreak and a mind-blowing twist, that will rock the couples to their core, while Dutch format Blow Up from EndemolShine Nederlands for RTL4 sees talented balloon artists battle it out in a colourful and creative competition with high stakes. French label DMLS TV’s Le Plus Grand Karaoké de France was the number one show in its slot for adults 25-49 and sees experts select the best singers from 1,000 mic’d up participants who are belting out songs.
Building on the world’s most successful cookery television format (Guinness World Records), MasterChef has developed a new iteration that welcomes 13 – 18 year-olds into the kitchen. MasterChef: Young Talent will equip a future generation of chefs with the best tools and experience. Viaplay Group has commissioned the first series from Banijay labels, Metronome (Denmark) and Nordisk Banijay (Norway).
Meanwhile, Starstruck, created by Remarkable Entertainment for ITV is a high-end entertainment show with a second series underway in the UK. Teaming up as trios, the public transform into some of the world’s biggest music icons.
On the scripted front, Banijay Rights is highlighting new historical drama, Marie Antoinette. Created and written by Deborah Davis (The Favourite), the eight-part series was produced by Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama and Les Gens, and tells the story of the avant-garde young queen. From Kudos and Nebulastar, Rogue Heroes, written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) is a dramatised account of how the SAS, the world’s greatest Special Forces unit formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two. It stars Connor Swindells, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Allen, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sofia Boutella and Dominic West.
Alongside these period dramas is Shine Fiction’s Serial Lover, a co-production with Sibaro Films. Written by Alice Der Broek, this story centres around a shrewd man who lives many lives, manipulating those around him, especially women who he targets and steals from. Meanwhile, Bali 2002 explores the everyday heroes directly impacted by the terrorist attacks in Bali twenty years ago. Written by Justin Monjo (Storm Boy), Kris Wyld (Pulse), Marcia Gardner (Wentworth) emerging screenwriter Michael Toisuta and Balinese writer, actor and musician Ketut Yuliarsa (Janggan) as story editor, this powerful drama is produced by Endemol Shine Australia and Screentime.
Banijay Rights builds on its slate of dramas based on true events with Stonehouse. From acclaimed writer John Preston, the third-party offering from Clearwood Films and Snowed-In Productions is directed by BAFTA-nominated Jon S.Baird (Stan & Ollie) and depicts the story of disgraced Labour minister John Stonehouse. In addition, Banijay Rights includes Greenacre Films’ production, Riches, in its slate. Written and created by Abby Ajayi, it follows the exploits of the brash, super-successful, and wealthy Richards family – the stellar cast includes Deborah Ayorinde (Them), Hugh Quarshie (Absentia) and Sarah Niles (Ted Lasso) amongst others.
These MIPCOM highlights compliment the 130,000+ hours of globally renowned, stand-out IP within Banijay’s catalogue. They will sit alongside super brands such as Big Brother, Survivor, LEGO® Masters, Hunted, The Bridge, Peaky Blinders, and The Truth Will Out.
Comments Off on Fifty TV Celebrities Take on Extraordinary Competition in New Game Show from Banijay Productions France
Banijay today announces Banijay Productions France, part of its French collective of labels, will produce the brand-new game show Les Cinquante for W9.
Away from prying eyes, in his castle inhabited by dogs, foxes and rabbits, a playful and Machiavellian game master, the lion, has decided to challenge 50 reality TV stars to a relentless and unpredictable game that only he can control. 50 players have responded to his mysterious invitation. But only one of them will win as they take part in a series of knockout challenges.
A large cash prize is up for grabs, but the winning contestant won’t take home the money. They are facing each other, not for themselves, but to win for one of the viewers who can download the show’s app to join their favourite’s fan club and potentially win the prize of €50,000. When the games begin, anything can happen as the fate of each loser is put in the hands of the winner at a high-tension voting ceremony. Here the audience will see alliances form and betrayals occur as they fight to be the last man standing.
Florence Fayard, Managing Director of Banijay Productions France says: “After the success of our franchises such as Les Marseillais (Party Workers) or Les apprentis aventuriers (Good Luck Guys), we are very proud to announce the creation of this new format. Les Cinquante is the new king of ‘closed door competition’ with strategies at the heart of the game and strong involvement of the public.”
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay adds: “Through our Creative Fund we invested in Les Cinquante as it is a great addition to the entertainment space and our catalogue. It is unpredictable, interactive, and wildly entertaining. France remains an important market when it comes to creativity and creating new formats. This year we have already seen the strength of French IP with Chaucon Son Tour launching in Spain.”
This new format has been created by Banijay Productions France and builds on its experience within the French market. As part of Banijay France, the company is known for producing hit shows such as Party Workers, A Season at the Zoo and Good Luck Guys, which has just finished airing its fifth season, performing very well especially amongst younger viewers, raising W9’s slot average by 172%.
Comments Off on Endemol Shine Boomdog and TelevisaUnivision Bring Banijay’s New Game Show, Are You For Real? To Mexico
Banijay today announces Endemol Shine Boomdog, part of Banijay Americas, will produce Are You For Real? (Cuál es el Bueno?) alongside TelevisaUnivision. The new show is a format developed by Endemol Shine Boomdog, Endemol Shine Italy and TelevisaUnivision.
In this hilarious and unpredictable guessing game, three contestants take to the stage with a supposed talent, job, or characteristic. However, only one individual is telling the truth, but who is it? That is up to the three famous guests to figure out. Known as the ‘fake hunters’, the celebrities, through questions and intuition, must put their pride, intelligence, and audacity on the line as they decide who is telling the truth and who is a master of deception. Representing different sections of the studio audience, the celebrity is aiming to collect as many points as possible by correctly identifying the person telling the truth. A person sitting within the winning ‘fake hunter’s’ section will then be in with a chance of winning the huge sum of 50 thousand pesos.
Alejandro Rincón, CEO Endemol Shine Boomdog says: “We are excited to continue our successful partnership with Televisa with our latest joint production effort, Are You For Real? It’s truly the perfect show for the entire family to enjoy together this summer and find out who is real and who is not.”
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development adds: “Are You For Real? has all the ingredients for a hit game show – it is fun, entertaining and play along for the whole family. We’re thrilled to have been able to help bring this epic guessing game format to life, with support from the Banijay Creative Fund.”
Leonardo Pasquinelli, Managing Director, Endemol Shine Italy comments: “I am proud of my team for developing a unique and original offering. We hope to see the format travelling around the world and becoming a household name like Your Face Sounds Familiar and Deal or No Deal!”
Amongst those ready to sort the truths from the lies are actors Andrea Legarreta, Paul Stanley, Erika Buenfil, and Ricardo Margaleff, as well as comedian Mau Nieto, and model and presenter Tania Rincón.
Endemol Shine Boomdog creates high-quality content including hit non-scripted shows such as MasterChef Mexico, La Casa de Los Famosos, and Nailed it Mexico! As well as an exciting slate of scripted projects such as Todo Por Lucy and the upcoming adaptation of The Beautiful Life.
Endemol Shine Italy has a strong record of producing entertainment shows from Big Brother to MasterChef and Anything Goes. Its recent scripted title The Bride has also enjoyed great success and was the second most viewed series of the season.
Comments Off on EndemolShine Nederland’s Race For The Rings Begins
Banijay today announces Race For The Rings, an original new adventure reality show co-produced by EndemolShine Nederland, part of Banijay Benelux and Beau van Erven Dorens’ production company, Kale Jackhals Productions. The show has been commissioned by RTL 4.
Race For The Rings puts engaged couples to the test as they cross the desert in Jordan, competing for the honeymoon of their dreams. Throughout the series they will take part in challenges which range from physical, mental and even hilariously comical. However, beautiful as the country is, the conditions are harsh. Which couple will thrive as strategies develop, alliances form and communication is tested? Only one loved-up pair will win the game and a well-deserved honeymoon. Presented by Beau van Erven Dorens (Deal or No Deal),this format is action-packed, high-energy, and full of reality moments.
Rob van der Vleugel, producer, Endemol Shine Nederland comments: “Filming Race For The Rings in Jordan was no mean feat, but it was an incredible experience and I am proud of the final version and team of creatives I worked alongside. This new adventure format is utterly engaging with every challenge revealing a new side to the couples to leave audiences gripped.”
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay adds: “This new upbeat adventure format is sensational in every aspect with epic challenges and impressive scenery. Combining competition, reality, relationships and much more, RaceFor The Rings has all the key elements which will appeal to a global audience. Alongside Blow Up, EndemolShine Nederland is developing bold, innovative new shows which we feel have a lot of international potential.”
EndemolShine Nederland, part of Banijay Benelux, creates high-class multi-genre productions. Its notable shows include Big Brother, LEGO® Masters, Deal or No Deal, as well as new formats Blow Up and Domino Challenge which premiered as the number one show in its slot for shoppers aged 25 – 54.