The distributor highlights includes formats Starstruck and The Courtship and premium scripted shows like In Signora Volpe.
Starstruck, Limitless Win, The Courtship, Language of Love, Your Body Uncovered and Shaolin Heroes have been revealed as Banijay’s format highlights for MIPTV 2022, alongside Banijay Rights’ premium scripted titles including Rogue Heroes, Then You Run and Signora Volpe.
“Banijay has a wonderfully diverse offering of formats and developing ambitious bold new shows from Starstruck to Shaolin Heroes is at the heart of our culture. We can capitalise on our expertise in the entertainment, reality, and adventure spaces, having produced hit formats such as Survivor, Wipeout and Big Brother, to create all-new, high-energy productions which appeal to global audiences,” says James Townley, Global Head of Content Development at Banijay.
“With strong writing and globally relevant themes, we’re proud these premium scripted titles are leading our burgeoning catalogue. With continuingly strong demand from platforms and broadcasters for new shows, we expect the highlighted formats to have broad appeal both as finished tape sales and as travelling IP with third-party producers,” adds Cathy Payne, CEO at Banijay Rights.
Starstruck, created by Remarkable Entertainment for ITV is the epitome of this. Teaming up as trios, the public transform into some of the world’s biggest music icons. And Limitless Win, created by Hello Dolly and co-produced with Mitre Studios, which Banijay have the international format rights to, was ITV’s biggest brand-new entertainment series launch since January 2020. Already commissioned for a second series in the UK, it is a prime-time quiz show with a unique USP – the world’s first-ever limitless jackpot!
The Courtship is a bold new relationship show from Endemol Shine North America, in association with Shine TV. A modern woman tired of dating in the 21st century is transported to the Regency-era. Will the ultimate romantic experience see the leading lady swept off her feet? Joining Banijay’s dating offering, is Language of Love from Banijay Iberia’s Zeppelin and UK indie 2LE. The series explores whether love can blossom even with a language barrier to overcome as six British singletons and six Spaniards are brought together.
Combining reality with adventure is Metronome’s epic new show, Shaolin Heroes. Celebrities will embark on a life-changing journey to master the ancient martial art of the Shaolin Warrior Monks. Elsewhere, Your Body Uncovered is a ground-breaking new concept that uses cutting-edge technology to better understand medical conditions. The format, created by Remarkable Factual, allows the viewers to witness this immersive journey every step of the way.
On the scripted front, Banijay is highlighting Rogue Heroes. This new six-part series, written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) and produced by Kudos and Nebulastar, is a dramatized account of how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two.
From Kudos, in association with MadeFor and Sky Studios, Then You Run is a bold new Sky Original drama based on Zoran Drvenkar’s novel, You. The series follows a close-knit group of friends whose dreams of the perfect holiday spiral into a dark and perilous adventure.
In Signora Volpe, which will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights, Emilia Fox (Silent Witness) will star as a British spy who finds herself involved in a murder investigation in Italy. Motivated by her passion for justice with an instinct for adventure, this drama will unearth the dark secrets of Umbria. Written by Rachel Cuperman and Sally Griffiths (Midsomer Murders) it will be produced by ITV Studios-backed production company Route 24.
Joining Banijay’s impressive catalogue of over 120,000 hours, the new titles will sit alongside super brands such as MasterChef, Big Brother, Survivor, LEGO® Masters and scripted hits, Screw, Peaky Blinders and Penoza amongst others.
