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: Michelle Wasserman

  1. Banijay Rights Takes Survivor to Argentina

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    Banijay Rights today announces an all-new adaptation of adventure reality format Survivor in Argentina.

    Argentinian broadcaster Telefe will produce a new version of Survivor entitled Survivor, Expedición Robinson– building on the success of the original series that aired in the territory 22 years ago.

    The agreement was brokered by Michelle Wasserman, SVP Latam, US Hispanic & Brazil, Banijay Rights, who said: “Combining adventure, strategy and real-life jeopardy, Survivor continues to be one of the world’s most renowned formats. We are delighted to secure this deal with our partners at Telefe and bring this amazing show to Argentinian viewers.”

     Guillermo Pendino, VP of Content and Programming Telefe & Chilevisión, added: “We are thrilled to bring the global TV phenomenon, Survivor, to Argentina. This has been an exciting format to produce, and audiences here will love it.”

    This latest deal in Latin America follows recent news of Survivor’s return to RCN in Colombia after a 15-year hiatus, while in the UK Remarkable Entertainment – a Banijay UK company – is set to produce a new version for BBC One and BBC iPlayer to air this year. A French-Canadian version launched on Noovo this Spring.

    Survivor, a Banijay format created by Charlie Parsons, is one of the most watched reality entertainment formats around the world. Celebrating 25 years last year, (the format was first employed in 1997 in Sweden), the show has gone on to be ranked as the ‘Number 1 Best Reality Show of All Time’ by Variety. A total of 50 versions and more than 360 series have been commissioned around the world to date, and the CBS version of the show from the USA is currently airing its 44th series.

    The rules of Survivor are clear: contestants are divided in two tribes and fight in daily challenges for immunity and other advantages. After each immunity challenge, one team needs to see one of their own eliminated and on the way home. It is a tough competition and there is only one Survivor: the one that goes home with the title and the big award.

  2. Banijay’s Big Brother Expands Global Reach with First Series in Chile

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    Content powerhouse Banijay today announces hit format Big Brother will be adapted in Chile for the first time.

    In a deal with Banijay Rights, the reality series will broadcast on Chilevision this year. Produced by Chilevision and Kuarzo, the show will be the first time Chile has produced its own version and will build on the success of the pan regional series which last aired 18 years ago.

    Last year Banijay format Big Brother had its most successful year yet, with 33 productions airing across 26 markets. Originally created by EndemolShine Nederland, Big Brother has had 67 adaptations. The celebrity version was named Spin-Off of the Year in K7 Media’s 2021-2022 report. This latest commission follows the successful Argentinean reboot.

     The agreement was brokered by Michelle Wasserman, SVP Latam, USH & Brazil, Banijay Rights, who said: “Big Brother is a tried and tested hit and we are thrilled to strike a deal for the first Chilean version. There is great momentum across Latin America for this iconic format, with Argentina’s recent return highlighting how powerful and relevant this programme still is.”

     Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay adds: “With last year being the best yet for Big Brother, we are excited to further build on its success and bring the legendary show to a new market in this deal with Chile. The ongoing popularity is testament to the strength of the format which enables audiences to relate, connect, and be entertained by Big Brother. We look forward to continually extending the format withnew territories such as Chile, long running series like the milestone 25th season in the US, and reboots including the UK set for 2023.”

    Big Brother sees a group of people from all walks of life, agree to be locked up in a house fitted with cameras that record their every move. With no contact from the outside world, participants must learn how to co-habit with their new housemates whilst competing against them every week in physical and mental challenges.

  3. Banijay Rights Confirms Survivor return in Colombia

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    Banijay Rights today announces the return of adventure reality format Survivor to Colombia, as MIP Cancun draws to a close in Mexico today.

    Following a 15-year hiatus, Colombian broadcaster RCN will produce a new adaptation of Survivor to air in 2023 entitled Survivor, La Isla de los Famosos.

    The agreement was brokered by Michelle Wasserman, SVP Latam, USH & Brazil, Banijay Rights, who said: “More than 15 years has passed since Survivor last graced television screens in Colombia, so we are thrilled to secure this deal and work with RCN to revive this world-famous format.”

     Eugenia Vélez, VP of Programming and Marketing of RCN, said: “Canal RCN has proven to have the capacity and production team made up of experts in making amazing and challenging formats, which is why we are very proud to bring back to our screen a format like ‘Survivor, la Isla de los Famosos’, which fits very well with our purpose of continuing to create entertaining content for the whole family.”

    This latest deal follows recent news of a return of Survivor to the UK, with Remarkable Entertainment (a Banijay UK company) set to produce for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

     Survivor, a Banijay format created by Charlie Parsons, is one of the most watched reality entertainment formats around the world. Celebrating 25 years this year, (the format was first employed in 1997 in Sweden), the show has gone on to be ranked as the ‘Number 1 Best Reality Show of All Time’ by Variety. A total of 50 versions and more than 350 series have been commissioned around the world to date, and the CBS version of the show from the USA is currently airing its 43rd series.

    The rules of Survivor are clear: contestants are divided in two tribes and fight in daily challenges for immunity and other advantages. After each immunity challenge, one team needs to see one of their own eliminated and on the way home. It is a tough competition and there is only one Survivor: the one that goes home with the title and the big award.

  4. Banijay Rights Scores First Starstruck Deal

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, today announces the first international adaptation of hit UK format Starstruck – with a landmark deal confirmed in South America.

    Following its successful launch to a consolidated 4.7 million viewers on ITV in the UK this year and a confirmed re-commission for a second series, Canal 13 in Chile will produce and broadcast a local version of the primetime extravaganza.

    The Chilean version will broadcast three days a week this month, with the deal brokered by Michelle Wasserman, SVP Latam, USH & Brazil, Banijay Rights.

    Created by Remarkable Entertainment (a Banijay UK company), Starstruck sees ordinary members of the public team up for the ultimate ‘superstar experience’, shedding their normal personas to become global icons, all courtesy of an elite team of glam and stylists overseeing an extraordinary on-screen transformation.

    Michelle Wasserman, SVP Latam, USH & Brazil, Banijay Rights, said: “Starstruck is one of the most ambitious and exciting formats to grace Banijay Rights’ 130,000+ hour catalogue, and evidently demand from broadcasters worldwide isn’t disappointing. With contestants transforming into megastars including Ariana Grande, Lionel Richie and more, we’re in no doubt this show will resonate strongly with viewers in Chile.”

    Launching #1 launch in its timeslot – and a hit with younger viewers (16-34) +61% above the slot average – Starstruck in the UK is hosted by Olly Murs with presiding judges Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason Manford.

     

  5. Banijay Rights New Sales Structure in LATAM, Canada and German-Speaking Territories

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    Global distributor Banijay Rights, today announces its new sales structure in LATAM, Canada and German-speaking territories under the overarching leadership of CEO, Cathy Payne.

     

    In Latin America, Michelle Wasserman will be leading the charge in selling both finished tape and formats across the continent as SVP Latam, Brazil and US Hispanic. Long integral to the company’s formats business, she has orchestrated format sales for MasterChef into 13 countriesand 14 of My Name Is across the region, alongside managing over 40 format productions per year. Her remit will now expand to finish tape sales.

     

    Joining her in the Miami office is new hire, Ivania Zamora, who takes up the role of VP, Latam.

     

    Having handled the Latam and US Hispanic finished tape sales for the past ten years, Veronique Verges is joining the EMEA team as SVP German-speaking territories, Poland & Hungary. Now based in London, she will report to Tim Mutimer EVP, EMEA. Before transitioning out of her role in Latin America last month, Verges closed several high-value package deals with the likes of, Amazon, Turner and Discovery, surpassing 1600 hours.

     

    Elsewhere, Jane Rimer is officially announced as SVP, Canada. Since joining late last year, she has already completed significant deals including sealing the first iteration of Celebrity Big Brother in French Canada.

     

    Both Jane and Michelle, will report directly into Matt Creasey EVP Sales, Acquisitions and Coproductions – World (excluding EMEA).

     

    With a catalogue of 95,000 hours of multi-genre content, the Banijay Rights team has a wealth of top-quality programming available for audiences around the world. New series highlights for 2021 include crime drama Viewpoint, and gripping new action-drama RFDS: Royal Flying Doctors Service. Singing entrainment formats Fame Maker and A Star in the Star and popular factual returning hits Temptation Island, Lego Masters, and Wipeout.