Comments Off on Banijay Entertainment and TBS Take Leap with Ninja Warrior
Content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces it has acquired worldwide distribution rights (excluding Asia, US, Germany, France and Poland) for Ninja Warrior, the legendary sportainment franchise, created by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). The deal builds on the strategic partnership between the two companies announced earlier this year and brings the format into the largest European studio’s elite portfolio of superbrands.
A global phenomenon since its launch, Ninja Warrior has entertained audiences worldwide with its nail-biting physical challenges, powerful athleticism, and high-stakes competition. The format showcases extraordinary strength, speed, agility and mental toughness, as everyday competitors push their limits on fiercely demanding obstacle courses. Currently airing in five international markets, this new deal enables Banijay Entertainment to scale and relaunch the format globally through its network of labels worldwide.
James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development, Banijay Entertainment, says: “We feel incredibly fortunate to bring a universally loved and recognisable show like Ninja Warrior into our portfolio of superbrands. This is classic sportainment at its very best, packed with intense jeopardy, physical prowess and competitive energy. With our expertise in refreshing iconic formats, we are well-placed to evolve this brand, building on the momentum from TBS.”
Katsuaki Seto, Executive Officer for the global business at TBS Holdings, says: “This new partnership is an exciting step for our signature format, Ninja Warrior. With Banijay Entertainment’s amazing expertise in development, production and distribution, we are confident in the format’s continued growth and global reach. Guided by our business purpose – Inspiring Global Love for Japan through Timeless Moments – we look forward to delivering this iconic physical game show to even more countries and audiences worldwide.”
The agreement was brokered by Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment. Ninja Warrior joins Banijay Entertainment’s premium third-party portfolio heading to Cannes, which includes unique culinary format Atypical Critics from Pixcom International, featuring autistic food critics; and competitive knitting series The Game of Wool from Hello Halo for Channel 4.
These titles will be highlighted at MIPCOM 2025, alongside Banijay Entertainment’s all-new slate of original and entertaining formats, including Let’s Play Ball, Football Island, Villa of Temptations, Foodish and Lost and Found in the Lakes.
Comments Off on Banijay Rights Takes Maigret Down Under Ahead of MIPCOM 2025
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, today announces that ABC in Australia has acquired drama series Maigret as part of raft of international sales for the series ahead of MIPCOM 2025 in Cannes.
In deals negotiated across the Banijay Rights global sales team, the 6 x 60’ series has also been acquired by Wowow in Japan, Sky Free in New Zealand, VRT in Belgium, HRT in Croatia, and SIA Tet in Latvia.
Produced by Playground, the Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winning production company behind Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, Maigret is the first English language contemporary television adaptation of Georges Simenon’s detective novels.
The new series reframes Parisian Chief Inspector, Jules Maigret, as an unconventional young detective with something to prove and features Benjamin Wainwright (Belgravia: The Next Chapter, Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim) as Jules Maigret and Stefanie Martini (The Gold, Last Kingdom, Emerald City) as Madame Louise Maigret. The series premieres on MASTERPIECE Mystery! on PBS in the US this Sunday, 5th October.
Lyle Bettson-Barker, SVP Australia & New Zealand, Banijay Rights, who brokered the ABC Australia deal, said:“Set in a vividly realised modern Paris, Maigret is a thrilling contemporary reimagining of the iconic police detective that hails from a stellar creative team at Playground. We are pleased to deliver this prestigious crime thriller to viewers worldwide.”
David Stern, Joint Managing Director, Playground, said:“Jules Maigret, Georges Simenon’s seminal creation, is a timeless character in the canon of great literary detectives and it’s been an honour to adapt the novels for television. We set out to create a series that embraces the legacy of the novels while introducing the character to a new, global audience and we’re incredibly grateful to our partners at Masterpiece and Banijay Rights.”
Colin Callender and David Stern executive produce Maigret for Playground with Patrick Harbinson (Homeland, 24, The Tower) serving as lead writer, executive producer on behalf of Windhover Films, and director of the first two episodes of the series with Faye Gilbert (The Tower, The Bay) directing Eps 3 & 4 and David Evans (Domina, Django) directing Eps 5 & 6. Susanne Simpson serves as the executive producer on behalf of MASTERPIECE, the lead commissioning broadcaster, with Hilary Strong also executive producing on behalf of Georges Simenon Limited. Further cast includes Blake Harrison (World on Fire, I Hate Suzie Too), Reda Elazouar (Sex Education, Pirates), Kerrie Hayes (The Responder, Criminal Record), Shaniqua Okwok (The Flatshare, It’s a Sin) and Rob Kazinsky(Star Trek: Section 31, Eastenders) make up the “Les Maigrets,” Maigret’s loyal team of detectives, with Nathalie Armin (Showtrial S2, Juice) set to play Prosecutor Mathilde Kernavel.
Maigret is one of several scripted highlights on Banijay Entertainment’s slate for MIPCOM 2025. Other titles include Half Man created by and starring Emmy-award winning Richard Gadd and produced by Mam Tor Productions (a Banijay UK company) for the BBC, BBC Scotland and HBO, and A Woman of Substance, based on Barbara Taylor Bradford’s best-selling novel and produced by The Forge Entertainment (A Banijay UK company) for Channel 4. Also from The Forge Entertainment for Channel 4, Falling is Emmy-winning writer Jack Thorne’s new drama starring Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu. Banijay Entertainment will exhibit at C.20 at MIPCOM.
Comments Off on NFL Super Bowl Films Touchdown in Banijay Rights’ MIPCOM Blitz
Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, in partnership with Banijay Americas label BD4, today announces a landmark deal to represent the iconic collection of NFL films that deep dives into each Super Bowl champion from the last four decades.
Under an exclusive agreement with NFL Films as brokered by Dan Silver of BD4, Banijay Rights will handle global distribution for Super Bowl Champions, bringing this compelling Emmy-winning documentary collection to the international linear and digital market – and MIPCOM in Cannes – for the very first time. Super Bowl Champions tracks the entire season of each Super Bowl-winning team since 1985, including last year’s Philadelphia Eagles.
Matt Creasey, EVP Sales, Coproductions & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, said: “The Super Bowl is one of the cornerstones of American life – a cultural event that stretches far beyond just a championship game. These insightful films form a central part of this societal and sporting tradition in what is a real ‘first down’ for Banijay Rights, as we look to broaden the international profile of American football under our new partnership with NFL Films.”
“We here at NFL Films are excited to bring this collection to the international market and to our fans across the globe. These films celebrate our incredible game at the highest level and honor some of the greatest teams in league history, and we thank our partners at BD4 for the opportunity to showcase them worldwide.”
Banijay Entertainment will exhibit at C.20 at MIPCOM 2025.
The partnership echoes Banijay Entertainment’s wider efforts in sport following the launch of Banijay Sports, which signalled its ambition to expand across the sportainment, documentary and digital sectors.
Comments Off on Banijay Entertainment Rolls Out Premium Priorities for MIPCOM 2025
Global content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces this year’s premium line-up for MIPCOM 2025, bolstering its position as the number one European studio.
In the spotlight is new drama Half Man from Emmy-winning creator Richard Gadd; new rolling global format Let’s Play Ball; and transformative factual format Wild Reckoning with Bear Grylls. As ever, the powerhouse will also celebrate its latest selection of reimagined reboots and travelling formats, including Fear Factor and Emmy-nominated Shaolin Heroes.
Cathy Payne, CEO Banijay Rights, says: “We’re heading back to MIPCOM with a stellar line-up reflecting the breadth and ambition of our catalogue. From gripping, character-driven dramas like Half Man and AWoman of Substance, through to the emotional journeys of Wild Reckoningwith Bear Grylls, we’re presenting an eclectic slate set to entice global buyers.”
James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay Entertainment, add: “This year, we’re doubling down on impact with a bold selection of original and innovative formats. From the instantly recognisable digital-native Let’s Play Ball to the irresistible Villa of Temptations, we’re delivering broad appeal across genres. As the home of the superbrand, we are also supercharging our existing IP with the return of Fear Factor: House of Fear, and travelling hit Shaolin Heroes, a testament to the ongoing talent of our creative teams worldwide.”
On the English-language premium scripted front, the group has Half Man, an uncompromisingly original story about two estranged brothers for BBC and BBC Scotland, produced by Mam Tor (part of Banijay UK) in co-production with HBO; from The Forge Entertainment comes a brand-new adaptation of Barbara Taylor-Bradford’s iconic A Woman of Substance, and Falling, a modern love story from BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne, both for Channel 4.
Additional highlights include Maigret, the first contemporary television adaptation of Georges Simenon’s beloved novels for MASTERPIECE from Playground; and These Sacred Vows, an Irish comedy drama for RTÉ from Treasure Entertainment, in association with Banijay Rights and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. From Australia, comes Hoodlum’s romantic dramedy Two Years Later, set in a post-pandemic world for Paramount+.
Crossing over to non-English-language, is the Swedish re-imagining of acclaimed detective drama, Wallander, by Jarowskij/Yellow Bird and Banijay Rights for TV4 and ARD Degeto; and Disenchanted, a compelling French drama for France Télévisions from Banijay Studios France. Returning favourites include Banijay Entertainment’s Rogue Heroes (Kudos) for BBC iPlayer and MGM+; Bergerac (BlackLight TV) for U and U&DRAMA; and Anonymous (NL Film) for NPO. On the third-party front, the slate includes Signora Volpe (Route 24 Ltd) for Acorn TV; and The Hardacres (Playground in association with Screen Ireland and Red Berry Productions) for 5.
With a blend of original and highly-entertaining formats, Banijay Entertainment showcases Let’s Play Ball for SBS6 from EndemolShine Nederland and Signal.Stream, with a UK version rolling out soon; and groundbreaking sports competition format Football Island, a co-production from SimpelZodiak and Southfields. Elsewhere, Villa of Temptations from Banijay Productions Germany for SAT.1 and Joyn continues to seduce audiences, while Banijay Italia’s culinary hit Foodish has just been recommissioned for TV8. Next-gen superbrand, Shaolin Heroes, from Danish label Metronome soars into three new territories, with more deals expected; and Endemol Shine North America puts its signature twist on the much-anticipated reimagining of Fear Factor: House of Fear, set to hit screens next year on FOX.
From its third-party non-scripted portfolio is nique culinary format Atypical Critics from Pixcom International,featuring autistic food critics, and competitive knitting series Game of Wool from Hello Halo for Channel 4.
Crossing over to factual, highlights include Lost and Found in the Lakes from Welsh production company Tŷ’r Ddraig (part of Workerbee), returning for a second series after stellar ratings, making it the BBC’s most-watched unscripted show in its slot this year; and Bear Grylls swaps the jungle for emotion-fuelled rugged Welsh terrains in all-new Wild Reckoning with Bear Grylls for BBC One, BBC Cymru Wales, and iPlayer. Over in the sunshine, Eva Longoria is continuing her travelogue series with Eva Longoria: Searching for France, a CNN Original series produced by Hyphenate Media Group; and rounding out the line-up are Shine TV’s Mission To Space: With Francis Bourgeois for Channel 4; and third-party Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home for BBC One and iPlayer from Expectation in association with JOKS Productions Limited.
The latest MIPCOM highlights continue to complement Banijay Entertainment’s globally renowned catalogue, which includes superbrands Big Brother, MasterChef and Peaky Blinders; travelling hits The Summit and Good Luck Guys; and highly-anticipated streamer launches House of Guinness from Kudos for Netflix; the final chapter of the Culpa Mía trilogy for Prime Video from Pokeepsie Films; season 3 of Groenlandia’s The Law According to Lidia Poet for Netflix; and the concluding series of Like Water for Chocolate for HBO Max, produced by Endemol Shine Boomdog and Endemol Shine North America. Additionally, Last One Laughing, created by Hitoshi Matsumoto, continues its unstoppable expansion, now produced in 11 markets by Banijay Entertainment’s labels.
Banijay Entertainment’s sustainable stand will once again reside at C.20 at MIPCOM 2025.