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: Veronique Verges

  1. LEGO® Masters Reaches 20th Market

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    Banijay Rights today announces a milestone 20th adaptation for competition reality format LEGO Masters, with a brand-new agreement confirmed in Hungary ahead of NATPE Budapest this week.

    RTL will broadcast a first season of LEGO Masters Hungary, which will see pairs compete against each other to wow judges with awesome inspiring designs and brick builds. Budapest-based UFA Magyarország has started production on the series, which will air in 2023.

     LEGO Masters is a firm hit globally, with this order following a deal for the format with TBS in Japan, a recent coproduction between TV Markiza in Slovakia and TV Nova in the Czech Republic and several multi-seasons runs in major markets including the US and Australia.

    The format has now been ordered by a total of 20 international broadcasters across Europe, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. The format was originally created by Tuesday’s Child Television and the LEGO Group while Banijay globally distributes the format and finished tape.

     Veronique Verges, SVP, German-Speaking Territories, Poland & Hungary, Banijay Rights, who brokered the deal with RTL, said: “Securing this significant deal for LEGO Masters Hungary is an absolute privilege for us at Banijay Rights. Now adapted for 20 markets, this astonishing global format continues to provide uplifting viewing for audiences worldwide and we are in no doubt it will be a huge hit with Hungarian viewers too.”

    Peter Kolosi, Chief Content Officer of RTL Hungary, said: “LEGO Masters is a smash hit all around the world, and RTL Hungary is very proud to present it in our country as well. The show is a completely new format for our viewers, that builds on creativity, fun and excitement at the same time. LEGO is a shared experience, we have all played with it, and we are happy to bring families together and watch something which is enjoyable for everybody.”

     Jill Wilfert, Head of Global Entertainment, The LEGO Group, added: “We are so excited that families in Hungary will have an opportunity to enjoy this global phenomenon. LEGO Masters celebrates LEGO building at its very best – creative, ingenious, great teamwork and lots and lots of fun. We are looking forward to inspiring Hungarian builders of all ages.”

  2. Banijay Rights Sends Marie Antoinette to Disney+ in Germany

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, today announces that historical drama Marie Antoinette has been acquired by Disney+ in Germany.

    Produced by Banijay Studios France, CAPA Drama and Les Gens, the eight-part series – created and written by Deborah Davis (The Favourite) – will launch on Disney+ in Germany on June 21.

    Banijay Rights has now sold the first season of Marie Antoinette to over 70 territories, including the US (PBS Distribution), the UK (BBC Two and iPlayer) and Australia (BBC First), as well as a raft of broadcasters across Europe and Latin America. Earlier this year the landmark drama was ordered for a second series by CANAL+, with filming expected to begin this autumn.

    Veronique Verges, SVP, German-Speaking Territories, Poland & Hungary, Banijay Rights, who brokered the deal with Disney+, said: “Set in the dazzling, complex and often dark world of Versailles, Marie Antoinette is a remarkable drama that chronicles the life of one of history’s most exceptional women. We’re thrilled Disney+ has acquired this series for German audiences, as her story continues to gain traction worldwide.”

     Marie Antoinette tells the story of the incredibly modern and avant-garde young queen, played by Emilia Schüle (Ku’damm 56/ 63), with Louis Cunningham (Bridgerton) as the Dauphin of France, Louis XVI. The series is produced by Claude Chelli and Margaux Balsan for CAPA Drama, Stéphanie Chartreux for Banijay Studios France, and Christophe Toulemonde for Les Gens.

    Filming took place in several prestigious historical places including the Châteaux of Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Lésigny, Champs, Voisins, and in the emblematic studios of Bry-sur-Marne. Joining Davis in writing the ambitious drama is Louise Ironside (The Split), Avril E. Russell (All on a Summer’s Day) and Chloë Moss (Run Sister Run). The series is directed by Pete Travis (Bloodlands) and Geoffrey Enthoven (Children of Love).

    Marie Antoinette was a young teenager when she left Austria to marry the Dauphin of France. Growing from a stubborn young princess navigating the rules of the French court under pressure to continue the Bourbon line, to a true fashion icon, she impressed with her natural charisma, and recreated life in Versailles in her image: free, independent and feminist ahead of time. Even with rumours undermining her reputation, the notorious figure would defeat the enemies of the Versailles court with courage and dignity.

  3. Banijay Rights Assembles The Bridge with HBO Max in Hungary

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    Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, today announces a new adaptation of The Bridge, with Hungary the latest country on board, marking the sixth adaptation of the survival reality format.

    HBO Max in Hungary will broadcast a local version of the hit competition series, bringing contestants together to build a 250-metre-long bridge to an island for the chance to win a large cash prize. Isolated in nature, the participants have only 20 days to achieve the task, only using what is around them as building materials. While they build the bridge, they must make alliances, because when they reach the island, a vote will be held to decide who gets the prize, with the chosen participant decides whether to share it.

    Presented by Csaba Magyarósi, The Bridge Hungary is produced locally by Free Monkeys Production. All production took place in the area around Lake Belis in Romania, near the Hungarian border.

    The original format was created in Spain by Zeppelin, part of Banijay Iberia. The Bridge has recently experienced a resurgence, with a first-series adaptation in the UK in 2021, and Brazil and Australia debuting this year, with Workerbee, Endemol Shine Brazil and Endemol Shine Australia producing respectively.

    Banijay Rights struck multiple deals for the UK version with broadcasters in the Netherlands and across Africa and Latin America. The UK series also aired on HBO Max in the US, Latin America, and Asia.

    The latest agreement was negotiated by Veronique Verges, SVP German Territories, Poland & Hungary, Banijay Rights, who said: “The Bridge is the ultimate reality test for contestants: bringing together real-world challenges, moral dilemmas, and proper competition in a completely isolated environment. After performing so well in territories including the UK, Australia and Brazil, we are thrilled this incredible series will now go on to delight Hungarian viewers.”

    Annelies Sitvast, Head of Unscripted Original Production, HBO Max EMEA, added: “The Bridge is a game of strategy, negotiation, and trust. It’s a unique combination of an adventure format while also questioning fundamental human nature: would you split or steal a life changing sum of money with someone you’ve only recently met? We’ve already seen the format travel to HBO Max in Brazil and can’t wait for audiences in Hungary to watch it.”

  4. Banijay Rights sets new EMEA sales structure

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    Banijay Rights today confirms its new sales structure in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

     

    The revised team follows the recent promotion of Claire Jago to EVP, EMEA Sales and Sales and Acquisitions – a role that sees her take responsibly for all Banijay Rights sales activity in the region, representing its 100,000+hour-strong catalogue.

     

    Elliott Chalkley assumes Jago’s previous role of SVP Nordics, while Marion Vergnaud has been promoted to SVP Italy Iberia & Malta – Chalkley’s former position that now comprises the additional territory of Malta.

     

    Vergnaud’s previous role of VP Greece, Turkey & Baltics has been divided among three sales executives, who all take on new territories in addition to their current responsibilities. Veronique Verges is confirmed as SVP German Territories, Poland, Hungary & Romania while Robin Pollok is VP Middle East, Africa, Israel, Greece & Cyprus and Moscow-based Alexander Rubanov is VP Russia, CIS, Ukraine, Baltics & Turkey.

     

    The remainder of the EMEA sales business will continue to be covered by Chris Stewart (SVP UK & Ireland), Alex Le Merle (SVP Benelux), Isabelle Queme (SVP French-Speaking EMEA) and Samia Moktar (VP CEE & Airlines).

     

    Meanwhile, Andrew Dickens joins Banijay Rights as VP, Press, and will take responsibility for the division’s press strategy. Dickens joins from TV industry PR consultancy Boom! PR, where he was Account Director. He previously held Senior Press Officer roles at the UK Government and prior to this, was Chief Reporter at TV industry publication C21 Media.

     

    Spearheaded by CEO Cathy Payne, Banijay Rights commands a catalogue of more than 100,000 hours, comprising some of the biggest brands on the planet, such as Survivor, MasterChef, Temptation Island, Mr Bean and Grantchester.

  5. Banijay Rights New Sales Structure in LATAM, Canada and German-Speaking Territories

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    Global distributor Banijay Rights, today announces its new sales structure in LATAM, Canada and German-speaking territories under the overarching leadership of CEO, Cathy Payne.

     

    In Latin America, Michelle Wasserman will be leading the charge in selling both finished tape and formats across the continent as SVP Latam, Brazil and US Hispanic. Long integral to the company’s formats business, she has orchestrated format sales for MasterChef into 13 countriesand 14 of My Name Is across the region, alongside managing over 40 format productions per year. Her remit will now expand to finish tape sales.

     

    Joining her in the Miami office is new hire, Ivania Zamora, who takes up the role of VP, Latam.

     

    Having handled the Latam and US Hispanic finished tape sales for the past ten years, Veronique Verges is joining the EMEA team as SVP German-speaking territories, Poland & Hungary. Now based in London, she will report to Tim Mutimer EVP, EMEA. Before transitioning out of her role in Latin America last month, Verges closed several high-value package deals with the likes of, Amazon, Turner and Discovery, surpassing 1600 hours.

     

    Elsewhere, Jane Rimer is officially announced as SVP, Canada. Since joining late last year, she has already completed significant deals including sealing the first iteration of Celebrity Big Brother in French Canada.

     

    Both Jane and Michelle, will report directly into Matt Creasey EVP Sales, Acquisitions and Coproductions – World (excluding EMEA).

     

    With a catalogue of 95,000 hours of multi-genre content, the Banijay Rights team has a wealth of top-quality programming available for audiences around the world. New series highlights for 2021 include crime drama Viewpoint, and gripping new action-drama RFDS: Royal Flying Doctors Service. Singing entrainment formats Fame Maker and A Star in the Star and popular factual returning hits Temptation Island, Lego Masters, and Wipeout.