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: James Townley

  1. Banijay Shines Light on New Year Portfolio

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    Banijay, the world’s largest independent home to the best creative talent and IP, today announces a stellar line-up of programmes launching in early 2022; all available to international broadcasters for adaptation or acquisition.

     

    Banijay’s Creative Networks is showcasing premium entertainment, quiz and dating with Starstruck, Limitless Win, The Language of Love and Pride and Prejudice: An Experiment in Romance; all premiering globally for the first time this year.

     

    Meanwhile, Banijay Rights has a premium slate of scripted content for distribution with Peaky Blinders, SAS: Rogue Heroes, Screw, Chloe, Riches, The Good Karma Hospital and Grantchester, all among its 2022 highlights.

     

    Elsewhere, other Banijay scripted titles coming up in 2022 include Playlist (Yellow Bird for Netflix), The Bride (Endemol Shine Italy and Rai for Rai1), The Rig (Wild Mercury for Amazon and Todo Por Lucy, a modern version of beloved comedy series I Love Lucy, licensed from ViacomCBS and developed and produced by Endemol Shine Boomdog and Elefantec Global for Amazon.

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay,  says: “It’s wonderful to start the year knowing we have such a spectacular line-up of brand new formats making their international debuts. With a mixture of entertainment, fun and jeopardy at their heart, we hope to putting smiles on everyone’s face. Continuing their popularity with viewers around the world, we look forward to pitching this new generation of formats to buyers across the globe.”

     

    Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, says: “There is always an appetite for exceptional scripted programming and we are incredibly excited to once again be offering the market the very best content out there. These highly-anticipated series are produced by award-winning production companies, with visionary talent, both on and off-screen, ensuring these amazing dramas are rich in action and distinction.”

     

    Headlining the entertainment format slate is Starstruck from UK label Remarkable Television for ITV, which sees ordinary members of the public, teamed as trios, perform live as their favourite superstars; and from third-party producers Hello Dolly and Mitre Studios, Limitless Win, a prime-time quiz show with the world’s first-ever limitless jackpot,  launched this weekend on UK broadcaster ITV, ranking number one in its slot, across all demos.

     

    Fresh and funny relationship reality format The Language of Love, from third-party producers 2LE Media, Motion Content Group, along with Banijay Iberia’s Zeppelin, launched on UK broadcaster Channel 4 last week, with a group of Brits and a group of Spaniards pairing up at a dreamy Spanish country estate to see if they can find romance… despite not speaking each other’s language. Also in the relationship genre is Pride and Prejudice: An Experiment in Romance, from Endemol Shine North America and Banijay UK label Shine TV, a new series for Peacock, where contestants are transported to Regency-style England, with a group of eligible suitors attempting to win the heart of a heroine and her court.

     

    Banijay Rights is headlining with high-end scripted programming. BAFTA award-winning Peaky Blinders is returning for its sixth and final series this year. One of the BBC’s most successful dramas, the series has become a huge international phenomenon, thrilling millions of viewers worldwide with the story of Tommy Shelby and his notorious family’s rise to prominence and power, against the backdrop of working class, post-First World War Birmingham. Written by Steven Knight, the series from Caryn Mandabach Productions, is co-produced with Tiger Aspect Productions.

     

    Produced by Kudos, a Banijay UK company, and Nebulastar for BBC One, SAS: Rogue Heroes is generating international broadcaster interest and has already been acquired by premium US network EPIX. Written by Steven Knight, the series is a dramatised 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. Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book of the same name, SAS: Rogue Heroes stars Connor Swindells (Sex Education, Vigil), Jack O’Connell (Skins, The North Water), Alfie Allen (Jojo Rabbit, Game Of Thrones), Sofia Boutella (Modern Love, Atomic Blonde) and Dominic West (The Wire, Appropriate Adult).

    Meanwhile, Banijay Rights is representing prison drama Screw. Produced by STV Studios for Channel 4 and told through embattled and inspiring characters, this drama focusses on the officers at Long Marsh men’s prison. In charge of C-Wing is Leigh Henry (Nina Sosanya), a career officer who would do anything for her prisoners – but she has a secret that if discovered, could cost her the job – and even her liberty. Original psychological thriller Chloe, a mystery about obsession, deceit, identity and grief from Mam Tor Productions for BBC One and Amazon Studios, also features among Banijay Rights’ titles. From creator and writer Alice Seabright (director, Sex Education), Chloe stars some of the UK’s hottest young acting talent including Erin Doherty (The Crown), Billy Howle (The Serpent), Pippa Bennet-Warner (Gangs of London) and Jack Farthing (Poldark).

     

    Other new scripted titles include Riches, a high-stakes family drama created and written by Abby Ajayi and produced by Greenacre Films for ITV and Amazon Studios, Tiger Aspect Productions hit drama The Good Karma Hospital also returns for a fourth season for ITV and Acorn TV, while Grantchester – the popular series from Kudos for Masterpiece PBS and ITV – will air its seventh season, with Robson Green returning as DI Geordie Keating and Tom Brittney as Reverend Will Davenport.

     

    These new titles join Banijay’s 120,000-hour catalogue, which comprises flagship brands MasterChef, LEGO Masters, Big Brother, Survivor and Hunted alongside scripted finished tape hits Mr Bean, Home and Away and Archer.

     

  2. It’s All About The Pâtissiers in Endemol Shine Germany’s Masters of Sweet

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    Endemol Shine Germany, a Banijay company, today announces it will produce Masters of Sweet for RTL. The brand-new 4 x 90’ competition series will air in the country later this year.

     

    Having dedicated their lives to creating showstopping sculptures made from sugar, cake, ice-cream, and chocolate, six of the best professional pâtissier teams will compete to create the perfect edible dream. They may be known locally for their amazing creations, but on each episode of Masters of Sweet, they will face a new challenge, from gigantic replicas, which can sometimes be over 1.5 metres high, to spectacular fashion creations. The pressure is on as amidst the creativity and impressive skill, the judges must select a team to send home at the end of each episode. The winning team will not only walk away with the title but also a sum of 25,000 euros.

     

    Fabian Tobias, CEO at Endemol Shine Germany comments: “From the Black Forest Gateau to wine gums, it is fair to say many who live in Germany have a sweet tooth. We are looking forward to showcasing the skill of our pâtissiers with this brand-new format, whilst enjoying their creations and hopefully we can inspire some amateurs at home.”

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay says: “Adding to Banijay Germany’s impressive slate, Masters of Sweet perfectly combines creativity, delicious food, craftmanship and competition. This new format taps into the global demand we are seeing for expertise-based competition formats that appeal to the whole family, joining MasterChef, LEGO® Masters, Domino Challenge, Interior Design Masters and Banijay Productions Germany’s Cream of the Crop (Allererste Sahne), which is set to return for a second series.”

     

    A leading TV production company, Endemol Shine Germany has recently launched the third season of LEGO®Masters on RTL and will bring the fifth season of The Masked Singer to German audiences later this year. Other key titles include Big Brother, Beauty and the Nerd, and Kitchen Impossible.

     

    Banijay Rights will distribute Masters of Sweet internationally.

  3. Jarowskij Puts Celebrities Through Climate Bootcamp

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    Banijay today announces Jarowskij, part of Banijay Nordic, will produce Climate Bootcamp for broadcast on SVT and UR (Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company).

     

    The 6 x 28’ series sees a group of celebrities address the area of their lives having the most detrimental impact on the planet. Whether it be travel, consumption or simply just their attitude, this group will attend a camp to retrain themselves and learn why they must act now. Equipped with the knowledge and necessary skills, the celebrities will then have to maintain it in their everyday lives. Can they reduce their climate score, or will they revert to their old ways?

     

    Iréne Lindblad, CEO at Jarowskij says: “Protecting our planet for future generations is incredibly important to us and in the midst of the Cop26 conversation, the world’s attention is on the climate emergency. The amazing talent associated with Climate Bootcamp highlight the small changes the individual can make and is just one example of the importance Banijay and its labels are placing on positive change.”

     

    Margretha Eriksson, Program Director, UR Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company comments:“Climate Bootcamp is part of our commitment to educating and inspiring Swedish audiences of all ages to be more sustainable – from young children wanting to learn about nature and how to take care of our planet, to grown-ups struggling with anxiety around climate change. Our belief and ambition is that this show will give the audience the knowledge, support and hope they need to start to change their everyday life for the better.”

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay adds: “Sustainability and the impact of climate change is central to our industry right now as it should be. Banijay, like its peers, is proactive in reducing its carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment, both corporately and on-set. New shows like Climate Bootcamp align with our wider core values and demonstrate our commitment to delivering content that entertains and educates.”

     

    Jarowskij’s Climate Bootcamp is the latest eco-format emerging from the Banijay catalogue. The 2020 premiere of Mastiff Denmark’s documentary, Wild Wonderful Denmark, showcased the regions flora and fauna, from its forests to urban nature. And, the recent launch of RDF Television’s, Shop Well for the Planet? for BBC One, sees legacy brands Shop Well for Less? and Eat Well for Less? combine to help people live an affordable, greener lifestyle.

     

    Banijay commits to promoting a responsible working environment, encouraging healthy living and sustainable behaviours, driving down the use of single-use plastics and food waste across all productions. Super brands like Big Brother, MasterChef, Family Food Fight and Ready Steady Cook are instrumental to continuing to push sustainability; for instance, over 75% of MasterChef productions now donate leftover food to charity.

  4. Banijay Factory Develops Original New Dating Show in Sign Language

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    Banijay today confirms Nordic label, Banijay Factory, has developed Sexy Hands for SVT1. This format, produced by Delta Studios, is the first dating show to be made anywhere in the world where deaf singletons and their hearing allies can’t see each other physically, apart from their hands, and use sign language to determine if there is a romantic connection or not.

     

    Sexy Hands is a new dating format showcasing the true power of sign language, and where communication and personality is everything. Three potential suitors sign their hearts out, competing to win the affection of a singleton. As they can’t see one-another apart from their hands, due to the studio’s ‘love’ wall, they must rely on sign to chat, flirt, and make a great first impression in a series of enticing and revealing rounds, designed to get the potential couples better acquainted. Round after round the singleton eliminates the candidates until one lucky suitor remains. Will it be love at first sign when the couple finally come face-to-face and go on a date, or will they be left searching for a spark?

     

    Robert Andersson, Senior Format Developer at Banijay Factory and creator of Sexy Hands says: “We’re proud to be playing a small part in making pop culture more inclusive and diverse. Sexy Hands is a fast-paced, visually captivating, fun, and literally loud blind-dating format where both deaf and hearing, sign language savvy singles come looking for love. It is a new spin on the popular dating genre, but also the first of its kind to place sign language in equal footing with the spoken word.”

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay comments: “Communication in dating and relationships is key and Sexy Hands represents a large community who get to know one another through sign language. This inclusive and refreshing format will enrich the dating genre, giving unique insight into the linguistic identity of people who are deaf and those that use sign language, and we’re extremely pleased to have a new format in the catalogue which reiterates our commitment to diversity both on and off screen.”

     

    Banijay Factory’s latest concept, Sexy Hands joins the company’s burgeoning slate, having already developedFood & Fire alongside Mastiff Sweden and Expedition Kahawa with Jarowskij. Furthermore, it also adds to Banijay Nordic’s entertainment formats which includes Mastiff Denmark’s Drag Me Out, whose premiere was the best new launch for TV 2 Zulu in 2021, and the format among Banijay’s international highlights for the autumn. Made up of 17 production companies, Banijay Nordic produces some of the region’s biggest formats, from reality shows like Survivor and Paradise Hotel, to key scripted titles such as Wallander and A Class Apart.

  5. Shine Iberia and Telemadrid Unite the Nation with Vidas de Cine

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    Banijay today announces Shine Iberia, a Banijay Iberia company, will produce Vidas de Cine (Open Air Cinema)in collaboration with Telemadrid.

     

    A homage to the inhabitants of Madrid, Vidas de Cine will capture testimonies and stories from every district. The beloved actor and presenter, Florentino Fernández, will travel around Madrid speaking to communities and discovering anonymous stories which capture the essence of those living in the Spanish capital. The city is then invited to an outdoor screening to watch the compilation. From anecdotes of resilience to recognising a key individual, the audience will get an authentic insight into the lives of their relatives, friends, and neighbours.

     

    Macarena Rey, CEO of Shine Iberia says: “The extracts showcased in Vidas de Cine are moving and emotional. By seeing the city through the eyes of others, the audience are reminded of the community of which they are part. Our lives can be so consuming, sometimes you forget to take time to appreciate and listen to those around you, and this show is all about celebrating that.”

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay comments: “This is a truly heart-warming show, that not only brings communities back together but also celebrates the incredible people within them.  These nostalgic and highly emotional moments are something we can all relate to and, following the last 18 months, feel even more poignant.”

     

    Banijay Rights holds distribution rights for Vidas de Cine which will broadcast on Telemadrid later this year.

  6. NPO 3 Books a Table for Two with Banijay

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    SimpelZodiak, a Banijay Benelux company, confirms it will produce a new factual entertainment programme for KRO-NCRV at NPO 3.

     

    Table for Two (Tafel voor Twee) (8×50’) features two people having dinner at a restaurant. However, for one of the guests their dinner companion and why they have been invited is unknown. The mystery guest could be a loved one, long-lost friend or an ex-partner, who will have the chance to say something they have wanted to get off their chest for a while. They may want to apologise, express regret, declare their love, or reveal a long-held secret.

     

    Laurens Woldberg, Managing Director of SimpelZodiak comments: “Friendship, love, surprises, reunions, regrets: you see it all in Table for Two. Covid has made us all realise how crucial our social connections are and life is too short to leave things unspoken. We are very happy and proud that we are able to produce this series for KRO-NCRV and NPO3.”

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development, Creative Networks adds: “International relationship formats remain extremely popular and Table for Two approaches this theme at a fresh angle, covering everything from friendships, love to familial ties. This emotionally-charged format is a complementary addition to the Banijay factual entertainment slate and comes at a time when audiences are craving tonally uplifting and comforting stories that are universally relatable.”

     

    SimpelZodiak, formed by the merge of Simpel Media and Zodiak Nederlands, focuses on the development and production of content-driven factual entertainment, reality adventure and true crime shows.  The award-winning programme makers’ credits include Expeditie Robinson (Survivor), Hunted, Hunted VIPS, Temptation Island, Prettiest Girl of the Class, Your Home Made Perfect and Ik Vertrek (I am Leaving).

  7. Domino Effect Continues in France for Banijay

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    Banijay today announces Domino Effect will be adapted for the French market, with EndemolShine France producing for M6. The commission follows the recent pickup of the EndemolShine North America format in Holland, where it will be produced by EndemolShine Netherlands for RTL4.

     

    Domino Effect is a brand-new competition in which pairs of domino builders compete to create extraordinary structures. To avoid elimination, they must continue to surpass themselves week on week and impress the expert judges. The show is based on the original format from Endemol Shine North America, which sees a collaboration with YouTube domino sensation, Lily Hevesh.

     

    The commission follows the successful adaptation of LEGO Masters by EndemolShine France in the territory. It’s also behind Undercover Boss (M6), Best Bakery (M6), One Born Every Minute (TF1), Miss France (TF1), and LOL: Last One Laughing (Amazon Prime Video).

     

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development comments: “Packed with awe-inspiring creations and nail-biting jeopardy, as one movement could see contestants lose all their hard work, this entertaining format for the whole family is quickly gaining momentum on the international stage. Banijay has a proven track record in delivering high-quality competition reality formats that quickly travel the world and we are definitely seeing a Domino Effect with this one.”

     

    Jean-Louis Blot, CEO of EndemolShine Production says: “Amazing designs, limitless creativity and ambition are all the right ingredients to offer an impressive show to viewers. We are looking forward to bringing this format to France and witnessing the audiences’ reaction as the talented contestants design, build and ultimately topple these mind-blowing builds.”

     

    Banijay’s Domino Effect is now gaining momentum across the international market, with further European commissions on the horizon.

  8. Banijay Splits Creative Networks with James Townley and Lucas Green Taking Lead Roles

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    Banijay today uncovers its leadership plans for Creative Networks, with James Townley and Lucas Green remaining in the business to lead the central content team. Both reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti, they will be tasked with driving a healthy IP pipeline, establishing, nurturing and protecting strong global super-brands and collaborating with the group’s creative entrepreneurs to sustain the best global storymaking.

     

    In the revised posts, Green will become Global Head of Content Operations. He will be at the helm of all super-brands and existing IP in the combined format catalogue, including MasterChef, Big Brother, Survivor, Temptation Island and Deal or No Deal. Taking on all existing unscripted formats, his remit will cover Banijay’s 22-territory footprint, to promote recommissions, reboots and returnability, while ensuring integrity and consistency across adaptations and borders. Setting the strategy for world-class brands and priority titles, he and his team will lead the constant interrogation of the 88,000-hour catalogue to explore further roll-out and spin-offs. Ensuring maximum uptake for the group’s titles, his team comprises genre-spanning format managers and consultants responsible for evolving brand bibles and setting production best practice for the group.

     

    Townley becomes Global Head of Content Development, taking ownership of influencing and driving the development and creation of original unscripted IP across the group to ensure a strong pipeline of formats with international appeal. In addition, he will manage internal creative incentivisation and pilot schemes, and targeted development for new platforms. In its new capacity, his team also includes Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Head of Format Acquisitions, who will continue to lead third-party acquisitions for the catalogue and production across the footprint.

     

    In the new role, Townley will also partner with Green to facilitate material sharing worldwide via internal systems and global internal events, and with Banijay Rights, the pair will launch new programming slates at all key international markets.

     

    Marco Bassetti comments: “Creativity and innovation remain at the heart of our business as we continue to evolve and manage one of the most significant IP portfolios in the world.  With our host of global super brands and ever-evolving pipeline remaining equal in importance, it was crucial we had a set of strong creative entrepreneurs at the helm to balance protection with growth. In James and Lucas, we have a first-class leadership team who can ensure both areas are prioritised as they set off on their independent missions to nurture format development, exploit our brands across the footprint and champion high-quality delivery across our client base.”

     

    James Townley comments: “In our new capacity as a world leader, we are fortunate to work with some of the most talented, successful and diverse creatives in the industry. Creative Networks is here to strategically support, invest and further enhance the development of new ideas with the hope of fostering the super-brands of tomorrow. Supercharging and strengthening the IP pipeline is paramount to the business. Already the group has witnessed the likes of Big Brother, Temptation Island, Survivor and MasterChef captivate the world and with our strong global footprint and talent, the future looks incredibly bright.”

     

    Lucas Green comments: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my three years so far at Banijay and I can’t wait to generate maximum creative value from the huge new formats arriving in the group. In our new department we’re harnessing the best minds from both sides of the business to write the next chapter in the story of the world’s best formats.”

     

    In addition to their dedicated remits, the duo will oversee the group’s overarching marketing team, responsible for devising and executing the company’s targeted strategy to deliver high-profile, captivating 360° trade campaigns.