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: Netherlands

  1. Viaplay Serves Up Celebrity MasterChef as Next Dutch Local Production

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    Viaplay will bring the world-famous reality format Celebrity MasterChef to the Netherlands for the first time starting this autumn. The 12-episode first season, produced by SimpelZodiak, a Banijay Benelux company, sees 10 Dutch personalities taking on a series of culinary challenges in front of an all-star jury and competing to become the next Celebrity MasterChef. Viaplay launched in the Netherlands on 1 March with a unique combination of original productions, international films and series, kids content and premium live sports.

     

    The Celebrity MasterChef jury consists of Soenil ‘The Spicy Chef’ Bahadoer, founder of the renowned De Lindehof restaurant, which received its second Michelin star in 2014; Angélique Schmeinck, one of only two female Dutch Mastercooks (the most country’s most prestigious culinary title) and head chef for 12 years at the Michelin-starred De Kromme Dissel; and Joël Broekaert, a well-known food critic, columnist and TV host.

     

    The show’s 10 celebrity contestants will be announced shortly.

     

    Filippa Wallestam, NENT Group Chief Content Officer: “High-quality local productions are a key focus for Viaplay in all our markets. Viewers everywhere have been enjoying the famous MasterChef format and its spin-offs for over 30 years, and Celebrity Masterchef will be an ideal addition to Viaplay’s fantastic menu in the Netherlands.”

     

    Celebrity MasterChef is produced by SimpelZodiak (Expeditie Robinson; Hunted; Ik Vertrek) and by Martijn de Bruin for Viaplay.

     

    Created by Franc Roddam, MasterChef has been named ‘Most Successful Cookery Television Format’ by Guinness World Records and the most successful format ever by The WIT. First aired in the UK in 1990, 49 series were produced in 33 territories in 2021. The MasterChef format and finished programmes are represented internationally by Banijay. Viaplay has produced MasterChef in Denmark since 2011.

     

    In January, Viaplay announced Dragons’ Den, the globally successful show that gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors, as its first original production in the Netherlands.

  2. 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.

  3. Four Acclaimed Dutch Dramas from NL Film Picked Up Internationally

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    NL Film, a Banijay company today confirms the sale of Commandos, The Columnist, Floor Rules and Remy and Juliyat to international streamers and broadcasters.

     

    Ten-part thriller Commandos follows Commander John de Koning as he struggles to come to terms with his recent failed mission in Nigeria, while protecting his former comrades from a murderer. Produced by NL Film and commissioned by AVROTROS, the Dutch hit has been picked up by SBS in Australia and TOPIC for the United States and Canada. The deal was agreed by French distributor Lagardère Studios Distribution.

     

    The Columnist launched on NPO 3 in January and follows Femke, a writer seeking to take revenge following a bout of personal attacks on social media. Supported by CoBO and BNNVARA, the telefilm has sold to Film Movement (US and Canada), Prio Spain (Spain), Vertigo Film (UK, Australia, and New Zealand), and Evrit (South Korea). First noticed at festivals in Germany, Canada, UK, Romania, Norway and the US, the dark comedy scooped an Audience Award at Fantasia Festival in Montreal.

     

    International Emmy Kids Awards-winner, Floor Rules, based on Marjon Hoffman’s series of novels, centres around Floor, a young girl who believes children should be able to create rules too and shares what she has learnt with her peers. From the very beginning, the youth-skewing series has been an enormous success, not only in the Netherlands but also beyond its borders having travelled to Germany via KiKa, France via Canal+, Belgium via VRT, Denmark via Danmarks Radio, Norway via NRK and has sold to Spanish broadcaster TV Catalunya.

     

    Last year NPO Zapp viewers followed the extraordinary love story of Remy and Juliyat, a modern retelling of the Shakespearean classic with all the drama, love and moral dilemmas. Produced by NL Film, and commissioned by AVROTROS, the show is now set for Finnish YLE and RTV Slovenia, the latter on which it will air as a film.

     

    The Columnist, Floor Rules and Remy and Juliyat are all distributed by Dutch Features.

     

    Creative Director and Producer NL Film Kaja Wolffers comments: “It’s great to see our diverse portfolio capturing more and more attention beyond its national borders. We are proud that the work of these creators is now visible outside the Netherlands, and hope the growing exposure continues to put future NL Film projects in the spotlight.”

  4. Banijay Hires Peter Lubbers as CEO of Benelux

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    Banijay today reveals it has appointed Peter Lubbers as CEO of Banijay Benelux, the new umbrella spanning the region and its production entities. Beginning in post on 1 August 2020, he will be responsible for leading on the strategy and management of the leading international group’s portfolio there.

     

    Lubbers joins from Concept Street, which he founded in 2018 together with Roy Aalderink and MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). His previous roles include director of television at SBS Group, programme director at RTL 7, general manager at Zodiak Media and media director at AVRO.

     

    Newly-formed Banijay Benelux comprises Zodiak Netherlands, Zodiak Belgium and EndemolShine Netherlands and the associated Dutch production companies, Simpel Media, NL Film, TVBV and Human Factor. Its key brands include Big Brother, Expeditie Robinson, Op1, M, Hunted, Good Times Bad Times, Temptation Island, Penoza, All You Need is Love, Familie and Liefde voor Muziek. In addition, its offering encompasses EndemolShine Netherlands’ sports division, which stands as the largest in the country, responsible for numerous live football fixtures.

     

    Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay comments: “As we scale up our operations in the region, we wanted to welcome a leader who is tapped into the local industry, is familiar with the numerous clients, and  can work collaboratively with our labels to ensure creative excellence and leading positions in their respective markets. Peter has the entrepreneurial spirit our business was built on and the tenacity to drive a successful operation for us there. The team would also like to thank Boudewijn for his incredibly valuable contribution to the business – he leaves us a strong brand with an unrivalled track record.”

     

    Peter Lubbers comments: “I’m looking forward to getting started at Banijay, where, across Benelux, we are fortunate to have a rich and vast collection of production labels, genres, formats and talent. With collaboration a priority, we will work together to optimise the identity and offering of the group here, while inspiring, entertaining and bringing the best stories to our audiences.”

     

    Boudewijn Beusmans comments:“It has been a privilege to spend the past five years as CEO, while also working closely with the teams in Germany and Scandinavia. It is now time for new challenges in a new environment. With its creative and talented team, EndemolShine has an unbelievably strong market position and an exceptionally exciting future ahead – I wish Peter all the best.”

     

    The appointment follows CEO of EndemolShine Netherlands, Boudewijn Beusmans’ decision to leave the business. He joined Endemol Shine Group in 2005 and held various positions as Head of Legal Affairs and Business Affairs Officer, Global Head of Legal & Corporate Secretary and Group Commercial Officer. In his role since 2015, he also, in 2018, took on additional responsibilities across the region as Chairman Northern Europe. He remains in post until 30 November 2020 to assist Banijay and Lubbers with the integration of the activities in the region.