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 Banijay Nordic Sets Four Local Productions of Good Luck Guys with Amazon Prime Video
Banijay today announces four local versions of Good Luck Guys will launch on Prime Video in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. They will be produced by Banijay Nordic companies Meter TV, Mastiff Denmark, Mastiff Norway and Banijay Finland.
Good Luck Guys follows six duos of influencers and reality stars, with more skills for social media than for life in the wild, as they set out on a frantic adventure in rural Thailand. Fuelled by a burning wish to discover their inner hero, the pairs are on a mission to show there is more to them than meets the eye and could very well discover wealth is not the most important thing in life. They are all accustomed to the luxury of big city life, so going back to basics and living without their usual glitzy comforts will truly be the challenge of a lifetime. Who will be the last pair left standing? The winners will not only uncover the long-lost treasure and receive the appropriate amount of glory and honour, but they’ll be also able to call themselves “True Adventurers…” of sorts.
The format was created by Banijay Productions in France, where the series has aired successfully for five seasons on W9.
Comments Off on Kristian Farcin-Leth Takes on Mastiff Denmark CEO Post
Banijay Nordic today announces the appointment of entertainment leader, Kristian Farcin-Leth, as CEO of Mastiff Denmark. Joining from Fremantle-owned Strong Productions, where he most recently served as CEO, he brings a wealth of experience to the role and has been tasked with building on the previous success of the business to drive further growth opportunities across both scripted and unscripted.
Under Farcin-Leth’s leadership, Strong has bolstered its position as an incredibly well- reputed label, behind hits like The Farm, Race Across The World, Celebrity Boot Camp and the Danish Academy Award-winning scripted series, Outlaw.
An existing friend of Banijay Nordic, he previously served as a successful Programme Director for Mastiff, and also worked with Nordisk Film TV. Returning in his new capacity as CEO, he will work with the entity’s brilliant team to expand and diversify the company’s pipeline of original standout programming. He reports to Banijay’s Nordic Group COO, Karoline Spodsberg, and Mastiff Chairman and Nordic Group CEO, Jacob Houlind.
Nordic Group CEO, Jacob Houlind, comments: “With unrivalled knowledge of the Danish market having been a cross-genre producer, creator and manager, Kristian couldn’t be better placed to take on the reins of the company. Sitting at the helm of a portfolio of best-in-class talent and formats, there is huge opportunity to further grow the slate of premium programming and build on Mastiff’s existing track record as a market-leading entertainment powerhouse.”
Nordic Group COO Karoline Spodsberg comments: Today, talent and importantly, talent leadership is integral for success. Kristian has both the management profile and experience to strategically nurture Mastiff Denmark’s growth, and genre maturity. We are looking forward to seeing the company prosper under his direction.”
Farcin-Leth added: “Mastiff is led by some of the very best creatives in the business, so it is hugely exciting to be asked to take on this challenge. The range and quality produced across the genres is unparalleled and, I’ll do all I can to help the continued growth and development. I’ve had five wonderful years at Strong, but the scope and ambition of the new role made the return to Mastiff irresistible, and I look forward to strengthening our position for the future. A future that requires us to dare to be modern and creative both in terms of management and development.”
Farcin-Leth replaces long-serving Mastiff CEO, Mads Ulrick Holmstrup, following his decision to step down from the role after 20 years with the company. The company is one of the leading labels in Banijay’s Nordic group portfolio and most recently was behind titles including Drag Me Out, which has just been picked up in Norway, and Wild Wonderful Denmark.
Comments Off on Condragulations – Banijay’s Drag Me Out Goes International
Banijay today announces Nordisk Film TV Norway is in production with the first international adaptation of Drag Me Out, and is set to air on discovery+ and TVNorge.
Created by Mastiff TV Denmark, in Drag Me Out celebrities are welcomed into the sensational world of drag. In the Norwegian version, two celebrities go head-to-head in an epic drag contest, and a fabulous panel of judges will crown the evening’s best act. This is their time to shine and showcase all that their legendary drag mentors has taught them. The professional drag mentors will transform them, creating fierce new personas for the well-known faces, but also dig deep into the celebrities’ own personal stories and struggles.
Erlend Hernø Røeggen, Managing Director at Nordisk Film TV Norway adds: “We can’t wait to spotlight LGBTQ+ culture with enthusiastic celebrities eager to turn gender on its head and fully embrace their inner drag. The beauty of this series is the combination of emotional stories, amazing makeovers and crazy stage performances. Bold, refreshing and iconic this is the perfect format to add to our slate.”
Created by Mastiff TV Denmark the show aired on TV 2 Zulu and performed above slot average for 3+ and on the commercial demo. This format adds to several non-scripted titles which celebrate LGBTQ+ culture, and the Nordics are leading the way with Metronome’s Fabulous Dads another asset to Banijay’s catalogue.
One of the longest running production companies in Norway, Nordisk Film TV Norway aims to create bold, unique content which inspires and entertains. It boasts an impressive slate such as hit formats 71 Degrees North, Born Winners and All Against 1.
Comments Off on Celebrities ask Banijay to Drag Me Out
Banijay today announces Drag Me Out, a new entertainment format from Mastiff Denmark, which sees drag artists transform celebrities into gender revolutionaries.
In Drag Me Out, a recurring posse of the most legendary drag artists on the scene compete to create fabulous personas for well-known celebrities. For the drag stars, professional pride is on the line, with one artist leaving each episode, culminating in the final show where the winner will be crowned.
To win, the drag mentors must unleash the celebrities alter-egos, bringing out their natural performer, and helping them to push their personal boundaries with curiosity and plenty of self-irony. Most of all, they must entertain in drag throughout the extravaganza in high-energy lip sync battles, comedy performances, dance shows and more.
Drag Me Out will launch on TV 2 Zulu in Demark during the week of Copenhagen Pride at the beginning of August, and is available for adaptation internationally.
James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay comments: “Hold onto your wigs, or if you’re a drag king, your ‘tashe, as Drag Me Out is set to be a wild, fearless, liberating ride to break down gender barriers. With refreshing, ironic and hilarious performances from celebrities, mentored by the best drag acts in the business, this new format will be packed with real talent, watercooler moments and must-see performances.”
Mads Ulrick Holmstrup, CEO at Mastiff Denmark comments: “There’s never been a better moment to celebrate subversive drag culture, with up-for-it celebrities finding their inner King or Queen to have a whole lot of fun playing with gender. Expect plenty of sequins, belly laughs, sensational death drops and amazing lip syncing. For the professional drag mentors, the competition is fierce as they all want to triumph at the epic showdown and be crowned Drag Me Out winner.”
Banijay holds rights to multiple non-scripted formats celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, including Fabulous Dad, from Metronome Denmark, an emotional factual entertainment series where fathers of drag queens try to really understand the lives of their sons – by performing as drag queens themselves. Paper format dating shows created in Spain and the US, along with kids series, Ronnie, Reggie and Friends, about two gay penguins from London Zoo, are also recent additions to the Banijay catalogue.
This year the company officially launched Banijay Pride, the network for LGBTQ+ staff and allies, with a global event hosted by Conchita Wurst. Banijay Pride is active in 15 markets and counting and is collectively celebrating International Drag Day this month, with forthcoming collaborations later this year for Bi Visibility and Trans Awareness.
Comments Off on Impressive Wins for Denmark and Finland
Congratulations to our Nordic companies who have been recognised for nine awards across Denmark and Finland at this year’s prestigious TV Prisen Awards and Kultainen Venla Awards.
Pineapple Entertainment picked up four awards including Best Character Driven Series, which went to Diamond Family; Zulu Awards 2019 won Best Event; Factual Creation went to Tinder Grannies, and Martin Brygmann won Entertainment Host of the Year!
The TV Prisen Awards also recognised Mastiff Denmark which took home Best Lifestyle Programme for Portrait Artist of The Year, Best Singer won Best Entertainment and Best Factual Entertainment went to Different Like Me.
Peter Hansen, CCO of Banijay Nordic said, “In a time where viewers are searching for ‘a spark of joy’, we are very happy that the Banijay companies Pineapple Entertainment and Mastiff in Denmark managed to harvest an unbelievable seven awards at the Copenhagen Tv Festival this Saturday. Original shows as well as new takes on international formats convinced the jury to place their votes on these seven Banijay shows. The future belongs to warm-hearted innovations”
There was also reason to celebrate in Finland as Banijay Finland won Best Reality Competition for Dancing With The Stars and Director of the year (Entertainment & Events) went to Jan-Aslak Leino at the Kultainen Venla awards.
Congratulations to everyone involved in these hit shows!