Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: UKTV

  1. My Kitchen Rules cooks up global success

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    The Seven Network’s hit cooking show My Kitchen Rules continues its global success, with strong overseas sales of the Australian series and the commissioning of international versions.

    Seven’s distribution partner, Banijay Rights, the global sales arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, has negotiated strong long-term sales agreements for My Kitchen Rules Australia with key overseas networks, including TVNZ in New Zealand, M-Net in South Africa, UKTV in the UK, DPG Media in Belgium, TVA in French-speaking Canada, SIC in Portugal, Talpa in the Netherlands and TV2 in Hungary.

    My Kitchen Rules Australia is also a strong performer on Amazon Prime Video in the US, delivering an average of 12 million streamed minutes a month. Seasons one to 12 of the Australian series is a top 20 title for Amazon Prime Video in the US.

    Over the years, 36 seasons of My Kitchen Rules have been produced under format license in 15 countries, making it one of Australia’s most successful television exports. Leading Israeli TV network, Keshet Media Group recently commissioned a fifth season of the series.

    Keshet Media Group Head of Programs and Acquisition, Ilanit Siman Tov Hirsch, said: “Keshet is very pleased with commissioning the fifth season of the format in Israel. Last season was My Kitchen Rules’ highest rated season. The show reflected the hottest topics Israelis talked about and became the talk of the hour, thanks to the honesty of the participants that many Israelis could relate with.”

    Banijay Rights CEO, Cathy Payne, said: “My Kitchen Rules is one of the stand-out culinary formats in Banijay Entertainment’s burgeoning catalogue, with a loyal international fanbase.Featuring everyday cooking by some of the best amateur cooks, this much-loved series continues to appeal to audiences worldwide across multiple platforms, as demonstrated by our ongoing global deals.”

    Seven’s Director, Distribution and Content Partnerships, Richard Henson, said: “We are delighted to see My Kitchen Rules Australia continue to resonate in global markets. Distribution partnership with Banijay Rights is one to be proud of and we look forward to working with the team to extend further format and finished tape sales in key territories.”

    My Kitchen Rules, which is produced for Seven by ITV Studios Australia, was the #1 cooking show in Australia last year. It reached 6.1 million Australians on Channel 7 and 883,000 on 7plus, and grew its average total TV audience by 10% year-on-year to 1.04 million. On 7plus, live streaming jumped 32% and BVOD climbed 15%.

    The 2023 Grand Final reached 1.7 million viewers on Channel 7 and 101,000 on 7plus. It delivered the biggest My Kitchen Rules Grand Final audience since 2019 and was up 15% on the 2022 final.

    The 2024 season of My Kitchen Rules launches soon on Channel 7 and 7plus.

  2. Sanjeev Bhaskar, Shaun Williamson and Annette Badland, amongst other guest stars, join Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson for new Murder, They Hope special

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    Apocalypse Slough will air on Gold this Autumn and follows the success of Christmas special, Blood Actually

    Sanjeev Bhaskar (Goodness Gracious Me, Sandylands), Shaun Williamson (Extras), Annette Badland (Ted Lasso), Simon Day (The Fast Show), Jim Howick (Ghosts), Ben Bailey Smith (David Brent: Life On The Road), Jason Lewis (Murder in Successville), Matthew Kelly (Benidorm), Charlie Hardwick (Emmerdale),Gemma Jones (Harry Potter), Harry Peacock (Toast of London) and newcomer Dane Williams join the cast of Gold’s Murder They Hope comedy special Apocalypse Slough (1×120″).

    Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson return as Terry and Gemma Bremmer alongside Sarah Hadlandas Gemma’s wannabe influencer sister, Monica. The Bremmers were last seen in the Christmas special Blood Actually, which launched to 863K* viewers in December and starred Jane Horrocks, Martin Kemp, Robert Webb, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Sherrie Hewson.

    Writer, creator, and executive producer, Jason Cook, said “It’s so good to be back with Gemma and Terry, and this time Monica’s tagging along to increase the chaos! What an amazing cast we managed to get for this one, with some really fantastic performances. I can’t wait for everyone to see.”

    Apocalypse Slough sees Gemma achieve her dreams of becoming an official, ball busting, kick ass investigator at the Serious Crimes Agency (SCA), whilst Terry is denied the dream thanks to his colourful criminal history. With this new strain on their relationship, they’re thrown in headfirst to crack a curious double murder at a local rugby club – whose members seem to have dark and disturbing secrets of their own. As Gemma leads them closer into the complex case, questions begin to arise about their partnership and the mysteries they uncover. If Gemma doesn’t pick up the pace, it could be game over for everyone; her and Terry included!

    The standalone special has been commissioned for UKTV by Sarah Asante, commissioning editor for scripted comedy and ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.

    Sarah Asante said: “Following the success of Blood Actually, I am thrilled to bring back Sian, Johnny, and Sarah for yet another uproarious one-off instalment alongside the additional fresh and exceptional ensemble cast. Brace yourself, as Apocalypse Sloughis set to take us on another intriguing romp, full of laughs and surprises delivered by Jason Cook and the Tiger Aspect team.”

    Gerald Casey added: “I’m incredibly overwhelmed by the positive response viewers have shown for Blood Actually, allowing us to continue to deliver more killer comedy with an outstanding line-up of talent. I can promise that this one-off special will bring a guarantee of laughter and a murderously good time!”

    Apocalypse Slough will air on Gold this September. Catch up on the previous series of Murder, They Hope on Sky, Virgin and NOW.

  3. 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.