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: Madelene Hansson

  1. Meter/Jarowskij and TV4 Book First International Stay in The Fortune Hotel

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    Content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces the first international adaptation of thrilling strategy game show, The Fortune Hotel. Produced by Meter/Jarowskij for TV4, this marks the show’s highly-anticipated European debut. Originally created and produced by Tuesday’s Child for ITV1 and ITVX in 2024, Banijay Rights handles global distribution. 

    In The Fortune Hotel, 10 pairs of contestants check-in to a luxurious hotel, where the stakes are anything but relaxing. Each pair receives an identical briefcase in their rooms. Out of the ten cases, only one contains a vast cash prize, while another holds an “Early Checkout” card. As the tension builds, each pair must navigate the game’s challenges, unexpected twists, and the tense case swapping at the hotel’s Lady Luck bar. But only one pair will remain, taking home the grand prize. The UK version reached 3.1 million viewers and enjoyed 5.9 million streams on ITVX and returns for a second series later this year.

    Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions, Banijay Entertainment says: “Following its success in the UK, and with a second season already in the works, The Fortune Hotel has proven to masterfully balance suspense, entertainment, and drama. Given its previous performance, it’s great to see it begin its international journey in Sweden, with more deals on the horizon.”

    Madelene Hansson, CEO Meter/Jarowskij adds: “With its perfect blend of strategy, fortune, and glamour, The Fortune Hotel has all the elements to make it a stand-out hit. Audiences in Sweden have a passion for smart, strategic reality formats, and the lavish hotel setting provides the perfect backdrop for this compulsive game.”

    Niklas Vestberg, Head of Formats and Development, TV4 says: “We look forward to bringing the luxurious and captivating world of The Fortune Hotel to TV4, where anything can happen. It is a perfect fit for our programming and we are positive it will be a must-watch for our audiences.”

    Recent additions to Banijay Entertainment’s third-party portfolio include Korean reality format My Name is Gabriel, produced for JTBC and Disney+; factual-entertainment format, Atypical Critics, created, developed and produced in French-Canada by Pixcom; heist-themed gameshow The Infiltrators, from Cowshed Studio;The Game of Wool, from Hello Halo, part of STV Studios; innovative dating reality show Alumni Lovers, from MBC; and Genius Game from CJ ENM.

    Meter/Jarowskij is renowned for delivering audiences in Sweden with iconic non-scripted formats including MasterChef, SAS: Who Dares Wins, Good Luck Guys, LEGO Masters (also from Tuesday’s Child), Fort Boyard, and locally-created titles like Wild Kids and Luxury Trap.

  2. Banijay’s The Bridge Crosses Four Nordic Countries with Prime Video

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    Banijay today announces four new adaptations of reality hit The Bridge, with Meter Television, Mastiff Norway, Metronome and Endemol Shine Finland producing local versions for Prime Video in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Premiering on 4th November, The Bridge is the first Nordic reality show for the streaming service and brings the total adaptations of the Banijay format to ten countries.

    The Bridge is a grand and iconic reality competition where strangers meet in a harsh-but beautiful location; using a few basic tools and their bare hands must build a 220-metre bridge to an island holding a life-changing cash prize. Once there, a vote is held to decide who gets the prize, with the chosen participant deciding whether to share it. Each local Nordic version will consist of six, 40-minute episodes, with the first three launching on the premiere date, and the remaining three airing weekly.

    Karoline Spodsberg, Chief Operating Officer, Banijay Nordic says: “We know local content is extremely important to Prime Video and this collaboration has enabled production of four unique adaptations of iconic Banijay format The Bridge. Strategically this mirrors our own strong belief in a bespoke country-by-country approach to creating premium content for the four Nordic countries. Working with Prime Video has been a very positive experience for our labels Meter, Metronome, Mastiff Norway, and Endemol Shine Finland, all collaborating with dedication and passion to deliver an incredible series.”

    Madelene Hansson, CEO of Meter Television says: “We’re extremely proud to have led the pan-Nordic collaboration and production of The Bridge. Set in the beautiful, but austere, Nordic wilderness, this premium series is packed with emotional reality moments as the contestants do everything possible to meet the challenge. This collaboration with Prime Video is not only the first non-scripted reality commission for the streaming service in the Nordics, but also a first for us here at Meter, and we loved sharing our expertise with colleagues in other countries as well, of course, Prime Video.”

    “After the success of our global Originals like The Boys and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, we’re delighted to be bringing our Nordic customers our first local Original unscripted series, The Bridge,” said Martin Backlund, head of content, UK & Nordics, Prime Video. “We know our customers in the Nordics love reality series, so that’s why we’re bringing four local versions of The Bridge to viewers, showing our commitment to invest in Prime Video content to customers across the Nordics.”

    The Bridge is an original Banijay format, created in Spain by Zeppelin, part of Banijay Iberia. The format has been adapted in ten markets and recently experienced a resurgence, with a first-series adaption in the UK in 2021, and subsequent second season this year, as well as a debut in Australia.

  3. Celebrities Embark on The Journey of a Lifetime in Meter TV’s Adventure Series

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    Banijay today announces Swedish label Meter TV, part of Banijay Nordic, will produce a brand-new adventure reality show, The Journey – 15 Days in Nepal for Viaplay Group. This new format is based on the innovative concept created by fellow Banijay label Mastiff TV Denmark and will air on Viaplay and TV3.

    In The Journey, six celebrities embark on an adventure of a lifetime. They travel through the deepest depths of the Nepalese jungle, trekking alongside elephants, tigers, and rhinos, to reach the spectacular Himalayan mountains. Along the way, they will embrace the wilderness, learn about the rich culture from those they meet, and discover how to fend for themselves in the mysterious and unfamiliar terrain. The upcoming Swedish series features renowned actors Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Box, American Gods) and Izabella Scorupco (Hidden, Goldeneye), comedian Alfred Svensson and World Champion swimmer Therese Alshammar, amongst others.

    Madelene Hansson, Managing Director, Meter TV says: “We are looking forward to taking Viaplay’s audience on this epic adventure and bringing Mastiff TV’s format to life. Whilst we know a lot about the celebrities, when taken out of their comfort zone they are just like us. We’re seeing a huge thirst for adventure formats set in unknown locations, and this show has been an exhilarating experience which is sure to entertain audiences of all ages.”

    David Sidebotham, Chief Creative Officer, Mastiff TV Denmark comments: “With continuing strong demand for adventure reality, we are proud to work with Viaplay to create something innovative, thrilling, and authentic, with genuine self-development for the celebrities involved. The Journey is in safe hands with Meter TV, exploring the wonderful nature of our planet and bringing a spirit of discovery and adventure to Viaplay’s audience.”

     Filippa Wallestam, EVP and Chief Content Officer at Nordic Entertainment Group adds: “We will get to accompany some of our top actors, athletes, and comedians on the adventure of a lifetime with all that it entails, from challenges to inner reflections. The authenticity of this adventure is something I hope and believe our viewers will enjoy.”

    The Swedish production company, Meter TV is behind global brands like MasterChef, Big Brother, LEGO®Masters, and Family Food Fight. In addition to The Journey – 15 Days in Nepal, Mastiff TV Denmark is known for creating hit formats like Drag Me Out which has recently been adapted in Norway, as well as state of the art nature documentary Wild Wonderful Denmark, and cultural fact-ent format The Big Premiere; as well as producing shows such as SAS: Who Dares Wins, Survivor, Best Singers, and Versus.

  4. Aprons at the Ready – as Banijay’s Family Food Fight Heads to Two More European Territories

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    Banijay today announces two new European deals for global culinary format Family Food Fight.

     

    Sweden’s SVT and Polsat TV have become the latest broadcasters to commission Family Food Fight from Banijay’s Meter and Endemol Shine Poland, with both versions set to air later on in the year.

     

    The format, which was first created by Endemol Shine Australia, has now been adapted in eleven markets with remakes across Europe, as well as Brazil and the US.  Last month, the Italian version returned to Sky Uno, this time featuring families who own their own restaurants. Endemol Shine Italy also launched a TikTok channel alongside the show. The channel already has amassed a following of nearly 10,000 people in two months, allowing fans to interact 24/7 with the content. Additionally, the number of social media interactions has also tripled in comparison to the previous series.

     

    Family Food Fight sees families battle it out in the kitchen for the title of the nation’s best food family. In each episode, they are tasked with creating dishes for different occasions and guest numbers. Tapping into their individual cultures, knowledge and family secrets, the contestants will produce meals which they hope will impress the judges.

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay adds: “Cooking competitions are proven ratings hits and Family Food Fight bridges the gap between high-end cuisine and comfort food. The focus of this format is about accessible cooking, inspiring the audience to try some new recipes at a time when eating out is not always possible.”

     

    Meter Television, part of Banijay Nordics, produces local adaptations of a number of super brand formats including MasterChef, which set an all-time record in 2020 by producing all five versions of the format in one year. Big Brother is currently on-air for its second reboot season and is strongly outperforming the slot average, while drawing in the key younger audience. The company is also behind the first Nordic version of global hit, LEGO Masters, which performed exceptionally well, launching with a 28.2% market share.

     

    Since launching over twenty years ago, Endemol Shine Poland has specialised in entertainment and bringing global hits to the local market. Recent and forthcoming non-scripted hits include Fort Boyard, MasterChef and MasterChef Junior, Big Brother and LEGO Masters. It also offers production hub opportunities for large-scale formats such as The Wall.