Tag Archive: New Zealand

  1. Banijay Confirms MasterChef NZ Return

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    Banijay today confirms the return of global cookery hit, MasterChef, in New Zealand following a six-year hiatus.

     

    Screentime New Zealand, a Banijay company, and Discovery, have struck a deal with the support of Banijay Rights, which sees MasterChef NZ launch on Discovery’s Three in 2022.

     

    Last on our screens in 2015, the global family favourite is set to take on a distinctive Kiwi taste with local amateur cooks keen to show the country they have what it takes in the kitchen.

     

    Inspiring food lovers everywhere, MasterChef NZ has produced some of the most-loved kiwi chefs, and this season will be no different. From time-pressure challenges, to forgetting the key ingredient, this season will have you on the edge of your seat. Which regular kiwi will surpass the judges’ expectations in the food knowledge, cooking, plating and pairing arena and win the title of MasterChef New Zealand?

     

    Philly de Lacey, CEO Screentime New Zealand comments:MasterChef continues to evolve and travel worldwide and we are so proud to be reuniting audiences with the brand here in New Zealand. Underpinned by universal themes, but with a modern hyper-local focus this season is going to stun audiences – set in one of the most stunning cuisine and produce regions in NZ with talent who are at the top of their game – the show has all the ingredients to unite the nation in its love of food culture.”

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay adds: “To bring a global phenomenon like MasterChef back to New Zealand after a six-year absence is an absolute thrill, and with Screentime and Discovery’s Three at the helm, we’re in no doubt this will be a very exciting launch for 2022.”

     

    MasterChef is the world’s most successful cookery television format, produced across 64 markets. The life-changing show has broadcast more than 10,000 episodes to-date and recently aired its milestone 500th season globally since its reboot in 2005. Created by Franc Roddam, the show is a super brand known and enjoyed around the world.

     

    The MasterChef format and finished programmes are represented internationally by Banijay Rights.

     

    Led by CEO Philly de Lacey, Screentime New Zealand produces award-winning drama, documentary and factual entertainment series. This includes a high-profile local comeback of entertainment hit Popstars, prime-time factual success Eat Well For Less NZ, and award-winning drama, The Gulf.

  2. Banijay Rights sells Beauty and the Geek Australia to TVNZ

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    Banijay Rights today announces that the seventh season of Beauty and the Geek Australia has been acquired by TVNZ in New Zealand.

     

    Produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Channel 9, Beauty and the Geek Australia sees 10 modern beauties and 10 unconventional geeks work together through a series of real-life challenges in the search to find a romantic spark or a lifelong friendship. Surprising connections are made as two very different worlds collide and strong partnerships bloom in the most unlikely and sometimes hilarious circumstances.

     

    Hosted by actress, singer and model Sophie Monk and rebooted by Channel 9 for 2021, the winning couples from each night’s challenge score one-on-one date time which could help them seed a connection and solidify a relationship. The couples who are not so successful, however, may end up in the bottom two, forced to duel it out in a challenge which will result in the losing couple going home. At the end of the series one couple will be declared the winner and take home a $100,000 prize.

     

    The series will premiere on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ OnDemand later this year.

     

    Lyle Bettson-Barker, SVP Australia & New Zealand, Banijay Rights, said: “As with all our key primetime Australian series, New Zealand is one of our most important markets where consumers really resonate – so it’s great to partner up with TVNZ to see this series bring warmth and laughter to our New Zealand friends as well.

     

    “With the expertise of Endemol Shine Australia at the helm, I couldn’t be more excited to see this reboot take shape on our screens locally and internationally.”

     

    Banijay Rights is the exclusive distributor of Beauty and the Geek Australia across all platforms and has the rights to produce and license local versions of the show around the world. Banijay produces two other successful reboots of Beauty and the Geek for Italia 1 in Italy and ProSieben in Germany, with the latter generating outstanding results for ProSieben’s primetime average share among key demos: Adults 14-49 (+40%) and Adults 14 – 29 (+81%) from the show’s launch last year.

     

  3. LEGO® Masters NZ Makes it 14

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    Banijay today announces Screentime New Zealand will produce a local version of LEGO Masters for TVNZ.

     

    The competition reality hit has now been picked up by 14 broadcasters globally, with New Zealand joining recently confirmed adaptations for Spain and Norway, and more major deals in the pipeline.

     

    Successful productions broadcasting so far this year include the US, which is currently on air, and proving a major success for FOX as the #1 show among younger viewers (P18-34) and teens, and its second-most streamed entertainment series.  The series three finale of LEGO Masters Australia in April dominated the ratings in all capital cities, broadcasting as the number one show of the day in all key demos. The format also had a spectacular debut run in the LEGO Group’s home market of Denmark in April, pulling in a 50.6% share for 15–34 year olds across the season.

     

    More than 2.5 million bricks are now making their way to Aotearoa, for the colourful and playful format set to air in 2022. LEGO Masters sees pairs undertake numerous challenges which test their creativity and building expertise. LEGO Certified Professional (LCP), Robin Sather, will be the judge and oversee the contestants throughout, offering advice as the stages get increasingly harder, pairs are eliminated and the pressure mounts. However, only one pair can be crowned the nation’s LEGO Masters.

     

    Banijay serves as the exclusive format and finished tape distributor globally for the format, which was created by Tuesdays Child Television and the LEGO Group.

     

    Philly de Lacey, CEO of Screentime New Zealand adds: “Following the success of LEGO Masters in Australia, the US and Europe, we’re so excited for LEGO fans in New Zealand to finally have the opportunity to compete in this incredible series.  We can’t wait to see what amazing designs Kiwis will bring to the LEGO table.”

     

    Lucas Green, Global Head of Content Operations at Banijay comments: “The LEGO brand is universally loved. It champions innovation and talent, and this, paired with the jeopardy and competition of creating jaw-dropping builds, is proving compelling viewing for all ages.  The international momentum of LEGO Mastersshows no sign of slowing down, and we’re incredibly proud 14 broadcasters have picked up the show.”

     

    Led by CEO Philly de Lacey, Screentime New Zealand produces award-winning drama, documentary and factual entertainment series. This includes a high-profile local comeback of entertainment hit Popstars, prime-time factual success Eat Well For Less NZ, and scripted success The Gulf.

  4. Banijay Brands Partners with Australian Licensing Agency, WP Brands, for Peaky Blinders and Simon’s Cat

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    Banijay Brands has appointed brand management agency, WP Brands, to represent Peaky Blinders and Simon’s Cat in Australia and New Zealand, as part of the continued expansion of its brand footprint.

     

    Global hit Peaky Blinders is a multi-award-winning BBC One series, created and written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things, Eastern Promises and Locke), and produced by official brand owner, Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions.  Season five launched on BBC One last year and delivered the show’s highest ratings yet. The series has aired across more than 183 countries, as well as internationally on Netflix, including the USA.

     

    Simon’s Cat is a worldwide phenomenon, seen in over 100 countries, with 7 million fans on Facebook, 2 million followers on Instagram, and more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

     

     Created by award-winning illustrator, animator and director, Simon Tofied, Simon’s Cat features the hilarious antics of a mischievous white cat and his long-suffering owner Simon. First seen on YouTube in 2008, the Simon’s Cat brand enjoys international success across multiple categories including gaming, publishing and apparel.

     

    There have been more than 80 million digital sticker downloads and in excess of 18 million mobile gaming downloads with further titles in development.

     

    Jane Smith, Group Director, Brand Licensing at Banijay Brands said: “WP Brands has a stellar reputation and we are thrilled to now partner with the business on these hugely popular brands. We have a shared passion and belief in the appeal for customers in Australia and New Zealand.”

     

    Lim Mi-Kyoung, Managing Director of WP Brands comments: “WP Brands is excited to be working alongside a phenomenal media partner like Banijay Brands and we are looking forward to further building on the consumer products offering in our market. We can’t wait to bring fans more opportunities to engage with these two exciting and wildly popular brands.’’

  5. Incendo and Screentime NZ Commence Filming the movie A LOVE YARN

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    Incendo  and Screentime  New Zealand  are pleased to  announce that  they have commenced principal photography on A LOVE YARN, starring New Zealand actress Anna Hutchison (Robert the Bruce;Encounter; Vengeance), as well as Simon Arblaster (Once Upon a Time; DC: Legends of Tomorrow; Wild Justice) and Olivia Tennet (Lord of the Rings; 800 Words; Kiri and Lou).  A LOVE YARN is being shot on location in New Zealand.

     

    A LOVE YARN is written by Becca Johanson.  It is with great excitement that we welcome the contribution of director Peter Burger (Filthy Rich; Until Proven Innocent; Mataku).  His last two films received a nomination in the category “Best Director” at the New Zealand Film & TV Awards and at the Qantas Television Awards.

     

    In A LOVE YARN  the owner of a quaint New Zealand yarn shop, Sophie Dale, gets her world flipped upside down  after  learning her top  supplier of  yarn,  King Farms, is stopping production. Much to her  surprise,  the charming yet  stuck-in-his-ways  Samuel King  has  travelled all  the  way from  New  York to  audit  the business model of the farm. Desperate to keep her shop going, Sophie convinces Samuel to give her two weeks to learn the ropes of yarn spinning and raise enough money to buy the mill herself. With Samuel’s help, Sophie comes up with a fundraising plan to host a “knit-off” and auction at the local makers’ market. However, when the two  weeks  come to  an  end Sophie  finds  herself at  a  crossroads of  business  and romance.  Could  she have misinterpreted Samuels growing romantic interest in her as just business all along?

     

    A LOVE YARN is produced in association with Citytv, a Rogers Sports & Media channel, to air as part of Citytv’s fan-favourite Fall in Love Fridays lineup. Kaleigh Kavanagh, Bridget Bourke and Tina McLaren will produce the film; Executive Producers are Jean Bureau, Ian Whitehead and Philly de Lacey.

     

  6. Screentime New Zealand Teams Up with Emergency Services for TVNZ

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    Screentime New Zealand, part of Banijay Group, today confirms TVNZ1 has commissioned a new 10×60’ documentary series, First Responders.

     

    The first production in New Zealand dedicated to capturing all three major emergency rescue services in one series – helicopters, ambulances, boats – First Responders will portray the stories of those in need across the country; from the transport of critically injured patients, to the winching of a cow from the sea. With unprecedented access, each episode will combine rescue footage with 111 call audio and interviews to create an intimate relationship between the audience and First Responders.

     

    Philly de Lacey, Executive Producer and CEO of Screentime New Zealand comments: “With state-of-the-art rigging, a highly experienced team, and never-before-seen access, we are confident this series will put audiences right at the heart of the nation’s first response teams. After 18 years working on Police Ten 7, the crew are well-versed in capturing the real-life high adrenaline drama that comes with the territory and we look forward to sharing this world with the rest of the country.”

     

    Cate Slater, Director of Content at TVNZ comments: “The work these three emergency teams do 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year is invaluable. We’re excited to bring viewers a unique insight into this life-saving work. They’ll get to see first-hand the immense dedication these highly skilled professionals bring to their jobs. We’re full of admiration for our first responders and we know our audience will feel the same.

     

    First Responders was commissioned by TVNZ and will be produced by Screentime New Zealand and executive produced by Philly de Lacey and Tina McLaren. The series will be distributed by Banijay Rights.

  7. UKTV Acquires High-End Drama Thriller, The Gulf, From Banijay Rights

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    Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has sold premium drama title, The Gulf to UKTV for its local audiences. The series will air on the broadcaster’s crime drama channel, Alibi.

    The deal, which will see the 3 x 90’ series launching on Alibi in early Spring 2020, was brokered by Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Scripted at Banijay Rights, and Daniel Thomas, Acquisitions Manager at UKTV.

    Daniel Thomas, Acquisitions Manager at UKTV comments, “We are really pleased to have acquired this exciting new thriller for Alibi as we continue to include the very best of international crime drama in our schedule. Our viewers are extremely discerning and The Gulf, with its unique take on a crime story set against the incredible backdrop of New Zealand, will have wide appeal.”

    Chris Stewart, Commercial Director – Scripted, Banijay Rights adds, “We are delighted that UKTV will be bringing this absorbing and original antipodean series to a UK audience where I’m sure it will engage a new legion of drama fans looking for their next crime fix. The Gulf, co-produced by Banijay Group’s Screentime New Zealand, has launched in New Zealand and in Germany to much acclaim and is proving to be a very desirable drama property for us with further sales already in the pipeline.”

    Elsewhere in Europe The Gulf will also travel to Poland, after being acquired by Canal+ for its channel, Ale Kino+.

    This follows hot on the heels of the previously announced U.S. pick up of the drama, where AMC Networks’ streaming service Sundance Now will feature the exclusive U.S. premiere of The Gulf beginning Wednesday, 4th December 2019.

    Domestically, the series was a ratings winner for New Zealand broadcaster TV3 and is the top performing mini-series of 2019 to date. The drama pulled in a launch audience 40% above the channel average. Meanwhile, in Germany The Gulf consistently outperformed the slot average by more than 10%.

    Recently launched at MIPCOM, German-New Zealand thriller The Gulf, (6 x 60’) centres around the moral disintegration of Detective Jess Savage, who finds herself caught between upholding the legal justice system and morality, as she investigates crimes on her home patch of Waiheke Island, New Zealand. The Gulf is an international co-production from Banijay Group’s Screentime New Zealand, Lippy Pictures, German fiction specialist Letterbox Filmproduktion, a member company of the Studio Hamburg Production Group, and broadcasters ZDF and TV3.

  8. TVNZ Picks Up Eat Well for Less from Screentime New Zealand

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    TVNZ today confirms the commission of Eat Well for Less from Screentime New Zealand, a Banijay Group company. The new series, based on the original UK format, will air on TVNZ and TVNZ Ondemand later this year.

     

    Eat Well for Less sees experts tour the country to show families how to spend less and eat better. In each episode, the resident specialists show a new family how to shop, cook and ultimately, eat for less. With the help of a nutritionist, they analyse the groceries the family buys and set a target for how much they could save. The hosts also suggest alternative weekly meals and new recipes for the family to try, and work on distancing them from the big, and often expensive, household brands.

     

    Devised and produced by RDF Productions (a Banijay Group company) in the UK, Eat Well for Less has enjoyed six seasons on BBC One with a seventh series on its way. The number one factual programme in its slot, its success has also led to hit local versions across France, Spain, Denmark, Australia and Poland. In every series, families discover how to save significant amounts of money on food and reduce their waste, without scrimping on quality or nutrition. By using simple tips, tricks, swaps and easy recipes, they can slash a weekly food budget.

     

    Philly de Lacey, Executive Producer comments: Eat Well for Less has been a firm favourite in the UK schedules for a number of years and has proven itself in a number of other territories internationally. A strong primetime format, with broad appeal, we are sure, with TVNZ, we have found the perfect home for it in New Zealand.”

     

    Eat Well for Less New Zealand will be executive produced by Screentime’s Philly de Lacey and Tina McLaren. It was commissioned by TVNZ’s Tony Manson. All rights for the Eat Well for Less brand are held by Banijay Rights.