News
Banijay Group Embarks on Adventure with Bear Grylls and Delbert Shoopman
Banijay Group, the world’s leading independent content producer and distributor, today announces the launch of new production label, The Natural Studios, from Bear Grylls and Delbert Shoopman. As the premiere home of adventure, the new prodco will be a global go-to adventure TV / Film production studio across all platforms, further bolstering the Group’s position in this space. The Natural Studios, which is “now open for business", is led by Grylls and Shoopman as co-CEOs. Backed and funded by Banijay Group, which serves as production and distribution partner, the deal will see the pair build the business into the [...]
Banijay Rights Sells Premium Drama Wisting Into The UK
Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, has today confirmed that high-end crime drama Wisting starring Carrie-Anne Moss and Sven Nordin has been acquired by BBC Four in the UK. The drama is based on the best-selling books ‘The Caveman & The Hunting Dogs’ by writer Jørn Lier Horst. Set in the unique and stunning landscape of Norway, this series follows homicide detective William Wisting as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer preying amongst them. Hollywood actress Carrie-Anne Moss known for her roles in The Matrix and [...]
Dope New Action Drama Set for New Zealand’s Mediaworks Three
Mediaworks Three today confirms it has commissioned new telemovie Toke from Banijay Group’s Screentime New Zealand. Marking the first feature-length script from writer Kewana Duncan (Ngāti Tara, Tokanui), the action drama will go into production later this year, and air on the network in 2020. Set in the sleepy town of Tokerangi, New Zealand, Toke centres around three underachieving kiwifruit orchard workers – Georgie, Taki and Henare. While innocently raising funds to travel the world, the trio accidentally grow a strong strain of weed, and find themselves drawn into the secretive world of the high-stakes global cannabis industry. From [...]
We are Family. We are Banijay
Banijay Group today unveils its family-oriented slate for MIPCOM 2019. Designed to spark family co-viewing, the titles include: Don’t, It’s a Knockout, The Crystal Maze and All Against 1. First up, from executive prankster Ryan Reynolds, Banijay Studios North America and Host Adam Scott, Don’t is a new show where families can win money by following one simple rule: Don’t. Each week, one family of four navigates a gauntlet of directives from the ingeniously small to the ridiculously giant: Don’t Blink… Don’t Miss… Don’t Get Tired… Don’t Beat Yourself Up… Don’t Play Ball in the House. It’s the ultimate test of mind, body and family bonds. New to market following a recent [...]
Neale Simpson Takes Lead Role at RDF’s Fizz
Banijay UK today announces Creative Director of Fizz, Neale Simpson, is to take reins at The Crystal Maze and Tipping Point entertainment label. Tasked with growing the business and its output, he will step up to lead all development, production and operations. Having been with RDF for nine years and founded Fizz just under five years ago, Simpson has most recently been central to the UK productions and international roll-out of The Crystal Maze and Shipwrecked. In his new capacity, he will act as Executive Producer across all the label’s titles, while concentrating on expanding the entertainment label through [...]
Zodiak Belgium Bolsters Leadership Team
Zodiak Belgium, a Banijay Group company today confirms the appointment of Dirk Ver Hoeye, its new CFO. Starting on 1 October with new MD, Isabelle Dams, he will be tasked with overseeing all financial operations for the business. Ver Hoeye joins Zodiak Belgium following a 17-year stint at DEDSIT as CEO, where he was responsible for overseeing finance, legal, budget management and the leadership of the production team. This latest appointment further strengthens the new Zodiak Belgium leadership team, which sees Dams take her position as MD. Together, the pair, who report to Banijay Group COO, Peter Langenberg, [...]
Banijay Rights And Touchdown Films Secure Artist To Icon Series Through Co-Pro With Ovation In The US
Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, through its co-development deal with UK indie Touchdown Films, has developed a new celebrity biography series ARTIST TO ICON in partnership with leading US arts network Ovation. Celebrities in the 10 x 60’ documentary series, which mixes rich and extensive archive with insider interviews, include Madonna, Robin Williams and Cher among others. Ovation will retain distribution rights in the Americas and Banijay Rights in rest of the world. Currently in production ARTIST TO ICON will be available for delivery later this year and will complement Ovation as the new home of [...]