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: Peter Hansen

  1. Danish Celebrities to Become Shaolin Heroes in Epic New Adventure Reality Series

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    Banijay, the world’s largest independent home to the best creative talent and IP, today announces a new premium adventure series from Danish label Metronome, focusing on the Shaolin Warrior Monk community in China.

    Shaolin Heroes will test celebrities like never before as they embark on a life-changing journey to master the ancient martial art of the Shaolin Warrior Monks in China. At a much-revered temple, the famous faces will receive the toughest, and most elite training possible. The challenge is not only physical, the celebrities will have to learn the Shaolin philosophy confront their deepest fears, and develop as a person to manifest a happier life.  Who will have the willpower and heart to become a true Shaolin Hero?

    Peter Hansen, Chief Creative Officer at Banijay Nordic,  says: “At Banijay we pride ourselves on being a thriving home for world-class content built for contemporary audiences. I have always loved karate, and together with Henrik Rasmussen, the Head of Programmes at Metronome, we developed the idea of celebrities being trained by real-life Grandmasters into an ambitious new adventure reality format, and this show is set to be a high-end offering for Danish audiences. This is a bold and original concept, and testament to broadcasters in the Nordics who are creatively open and willing to take significant risks, commissioning new and innovative ideas.”

    Tina Chistensen, Managing Director at Metronome, says:  “I’m really proud of the in-house development team here at Metronome, with a strategic focus they have created yet another original local format with the potential to travel. Over a number of years, Metronome has established itself as leading reality producer, and this, along with the confidence, resources and creative backing of Banijay, we have been able to pursue big format ideas with international appeal. With epic cinematic production values, we look forward to producing this authentic adventure reality series for TV 2 Denmark.”

    James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay, says: “This exciting, brand new show taps into the inspirational values and philosophy behind Shaolin Kung Fu, with celebrities walking an ancient path of the world’s finest warrior monks. As we continue to innovate and create new IP, this impressive and original format utilises our expertise with big adventure and reality superbrands to build the next generation of hits.”

    Dorthe Thirstrup, Channel Controller at TV 2, says: “At TV 2 we are looking forward to sharing Shaolin Heroes with the Danes. In addition to offering tremendous production values, we also believe that the programme can inspire us all to cut off unnecessary noise, find peace and our inner strength. The pandemic has challenged our daily lives in many ways, but I also think it has made many people reflect on what is important. Although we may not all be, or should be, Shaolin Monks, I am convinced that the special universe will set the viewers’ thoughts in motion.”

    Danish production company Metronome is behind Banijay’s dating format Alone Together, as well as relationship hit, Fabulous Dads. It also produces a range of long-running non-scripted series including The Island, MasterChef, Taskmaster, The Block and Ex on the Beach.

    This format will join Banijay’s catalogue of over 4000 formats, beside flagship brands Survivor, Hunted, MasterChef, LEGO Masters and Big Brother.

  2. Top Gear scores a treble in the Nordics

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    BBC Studios announced today that the world’s biggest motoring entertainment show, Top Gear, is to have three new local versions commissioned by Discovery Networks Nordics.

     

    Nordisk Film TV, a Banijay Group company and BBC Studios Nordics’ production partner, will produce versions for Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

     

    Discovery Networks Nordics’ Kanal 5 will be the home of the Danish and Swedish versions while TVNorge will host the Norwegian remake. Production will start in the fall with the three new Top Gear series due to air in 2020.

     

    Demonstrating their driving prowess for Norway’s Top Gear will be stunt driver and Formula Drift World Champion (2015) Fredric Aasbø, musician and TV personality Esben “Dansken” Selvig and TV host and vintage car collector Petter Schjerven. Sweden’s presenter line-up includes a six times Speedway World Champion in Tony Rickardsson who will be joined by actor, comedian, musician Marko Lethosalo and Adam Alsing who is one of the country’s best known TV personalities.  In Denmark the Top Gear presenters will be long time TV personality and car enthusiast Felix Smith, actor Dar Salim, known for roles in Game of Thrones, Warrior and The Devil’s Double, and former race car driver Jesper Carlsen who is now working as Relations Manager for Danish Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen.

     

    Multi-award-winning with a global audience of around 350m, Top Gear takes the world’s insatiable and limitless appetite for the motor vehicle, strips away the boring stats and adds enthusiasm, thrilling stunts and challenges – bringing petrol-fuelled entertainment to a broad audience. Here, cars are always the starting point for epic road trips, over-ambitious projects, and lashings of good old-fashioned mucking about by presenters and celebrities who really should know better. To date, the BBC Studios’ show has sold to over 200 territories around the world, with local versions produced in China, South Korea, USA, Australia, Russia, Italy and France.

     

    Eivind Landsverk, Nordic programme director, Discovery Networks Nordics: “We are so excited to have the privilege to make local versions of one of the world’s biggest entertainment brands. Our mission at Discovery is to power people’s passion, and auto is one of our core fields of entertainment. That said, the magic of Top Gear lies in the show’s ability to attract not only the motor and engine superfans, but also those who do not know the difference between a Lada and a Lamborghini.”

     

    Jan Salling, Head of BBC Studios Nordics – Formats & Productions: “To have one local version of Top Gear land in the Nordics is exciting but three at once takes it to another level. Audiences in these countries are in for a real treat with their very own fellow citizen petrol heads taking control of the wheel and presenting this iconic show Nordic style.”

     

    Peter Hansen, Chief Creative Officer, Banijay Nordic: “It’s an absolute privilege to be reimagining one of the world’s most legendary unscripted titles for the Nordic audience. Building on our existing partnership with BBC Studios Nordics and relationship with Discovery Networks Nordics, we look forward to adding our own spin to the brand to fuel three new must-watch series.”

     

    Duncan Gray, Top Gear’s Commercial Director: “The continued success of Top Gear France, a BBC Studios production for RMC, has shown that well-made local Top Gear formats can create their own style and find their own audiences. Having worked with Banijay and Discovery Nordics in the initial planning for this, I’m sure they will continue this success and create some outstanding Top Gear TV for the Nordic region.”

     

    Top Gear Series 27, with Chris Harris and new presenters Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff, premiered on BBC Two in June with a peak audience of 2.8 million viewers.