Tag: Banijay

Brands take centre stage at Mipcom Cannes 2025

PARIS: Brand money is flooding into television. At Mipcom Cannes this month, the world’s largest TV market is rolling out the red carpet for corporate storytellers with the first international edition of BrandStorytelling, a summit that has spent a decade building its reputation at Sundance.

The two half-day event on 13 and 14 October brings together an unlikely crowd: global brands like Ancestry and Indeed, creative agencies including Dentsu and McCann, and heavyweight studios such as Banijay, Fremantle and BBC StoryWorks. Their mission is to turn corporate cash into compelling content—and to do deals that make it happen.

Rick Parkhill, the producer and media entrepreneur who founded BrandStorytelling, reckons the sector has come of age. “Brands are increasingly behind some of the biggest stories on our screens globally,” he says. The event’s expansion from Park City to the French Riviera suggests he’s onto something.

Among the speakers are Doug Scott, founder of Unxnown and an alumnus of Endeavour and Ogilvy, and Kim Miller Olko, global chief marketing officer at Toys”R”Us and president of its in-house studio. Representatives from over 20 organisations will take the stage, from the Branded Content Marketing Association to entertainment giants like UTA.

Mipcom Cannes director Lucy Smith says the “overwhelming response” from the industry confirmed the appetite for a dedicated brand-content forum. The summit promises to unlock new funding streams and co-production opportunities at a time when traditional television budgets are under pressure and brands are hunting for more sophisticated ways to reach audiences.

The event, sponsored by Fell + Co., Storybones Media and IPG Mediabrands Entertainment is part of Mipcom’s broader embrace of the creator economy. Last year’s market drew over 10,500 delegates from more than 100 countries—a captive audience for anyone peddling the promise of brand-funded programming.

October 2, 2025
Scripted to scale Banijay boss Deepak Dhar backs India’s big format future

MUMBAI: He may have started as an “outside classroom student,” but today Deepak Dhar is scripting the biggest chapters of Asia’s content boom. At a fireside chat during the 9th Content Hub Summit 2025, the Group CEO of Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India unpacked what it takes to run one of the most prolific content machines in the region and why India is finally poised to export formats, not just import them.

With a staggering 800 production days of Bigg Boss alone across languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bangla and Marathi, Dhar highlighted the scale and stamina needed to keep pace. “Even I don’t know how we manage to shoot 800 days in 365,” he quipped. “But that’s the opportunity India presents.”

From reality juggernauts like Bigg Boss, MasterChef, and Fear Factor, Dhar has now set his sights on fiction with shows like The Night Manager, The Good Wife, and Trial. His move from Endemol to launching Banijay Asia stemmed from a need to detox from the “reality king” tag and reinvent. “I wanted to unlearn and start again. What excites me is the fear of the unknown,” he said.

In Dhar’s view, the Indian content ecosystem has evolved dramatically from hyperlocal, broadcast-first formats to stories that now aim for global resonance. “Streaming has been the biggest shake-up in a good way. It’s democratised content and shrunk the world,” he said, citing the rise of global formats from countries like Israel, Korea, and Scandinavia. “Now it’s India’s turn.”

But why haven’t Indian formats gone global yet? Dhar believes the answer lies in legacy TV habits. “Twenty years ago, we weren’t designing shows for export. Now, with OTT, that’s changing. It’s the right time,” he asserted. His goal? To see an original Indian format go global. “We’ve imported so many shows successfully. Now we need one of ours out there and we’re working on it.”

Dhar also shared an anecdote that captures how dramatically content consumption has changed. “One Sunday, I asked my 15-year-old daughter to watch a movie. I picked up the TV remote, she picked up her laptop. That was the moment it hit me my business model was evolving in my own living room.”

Despite the shifts, Dhar is clear-eyed about the fundamentals. “None of us knows what will click. But what we can control is the process find the right story, the right people to shoot and edit it, and the right home for it.”

In a fragmented world of content, formats and platforms, Dhar’s formula is refreshingly simple: trust the team, stick to the process, and don’t overthink. The only real script for success, it seems, is being ready to rewrite it again and again.

July 23, 2025
Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

MUMBAI: Marco Bassetti, the no-nonsense chief of Banijay, is set to receive the prestigious Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes this October. Known for helming global smashes like Survivor and Peaky Blinders, Bassetti will be honoured on 13 October during a keynote conversation at the Palais des Festivals.

The award—jointly presented by Variety and Mipcom—recognises television titans who’ve reshaped the global entertainment business. And few have done it with as much panache (and profit) as Bassetti.

“Marco Bassetti is one of the most entrepreneurial, visionary and impactful television executives of our era who has led Banijay Entertainment to be the world’s largest production and distribution group through his championing of creativity, independence, and innovation,” said Mipcom Cannes & Mipcom Junior director Lucy Smith. “It is our privilege to partner with Variety to recognize his achievements in front of the global TV industry at Mipcom Cannes and to hear his insights on wider opportunities, developments and trends globally, which as a true vanguard, are always invaluable.”

Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton said “Banijay has proven to be one of the most dynamic of the super indie content groups to emerge on the global stage.” She added: “Under Marco Bassetti’s leadership the company has delivered strong results and ambitious slates. We are happy to present him with the Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom 2025 for his contributions to this ever-growing industry.”

Strong and ambitious are understatements. In 2024, Banijay racked up a staggering €3.3 billion in content business and posted an EBITDA margin of 15.8 per cent. While already ruling the unscripted kingdom, Bassetti now has scripted squarely in his sights—with the company eyeing €1 billion in scripted revenues for 2025. The pipeline includes Carême (Shine Fiction for Apple TV+), Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, and a much-hyped Peaky Blinders film for Netflix.

If that wasn’t enough, Bassetti’s been on a shopping spree: acquiring Caryn Mandabach Productions (home of Peaky), Fábrica, The Forge, and Balich Wonder Studios (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022), plus stakes in Hyphenate Media Group, Conker Pictures, Rabbit Track Pictures, and Lenny Henry’s Esmerelda.

The award will be the crowning moment of C-Suite Conversations—a Mipcom-Variety initiative helping top execs decode the chaos of today’s content world.

Mipcom Cannes runs 13–16 October. And with Bassetti centre stage, the festival’s finale promises to be nothing short of blinding.

June 4, 2025
Banijay group boasts bumper year 2024

MUMBAI: Entertainment powerhouse Banijay group has posted phenomenal financial figures for 2024, with profits perking up considerably in the final quarter. The firm, flying high after a fabulous fiscal year, smashed its own guidance with a whopping 22 per cent growth in adjusted EBITDA.

The titan tallied total revenue of Euro 4,803 million, up a tidy 10.9 per cent, with momentum mounting magnificently in Q4 with a 14.8 per cent surge. Adjusted EBITDA jumped by 21.6 per cent to Euro 900 million, with a particularly powerful performance in the final quarter, rocketing up by 32.8 per cent.

Margins moved up markedly by 160 basis points to 18.7 per cent compared to 2023, while adjusted net income climbed by 29.3 per cent to Euro 418 million. The company’s coffers are considerably healthier, with a cash position of Euro 482 million and leverage ratio trimmed to 2.9x (down 0.2x since December 2023).

Shareholders can smile at a suggested dividend of Euro 0.35 per share, equating to 35 per cent of adjusted net income.

CEO François Riahi remarked that since listing three years ago, Banijay has increased revenue by 37 per cent and adjusted EBITDA by 50 per cent, with streaming content revenues doubling, as has the number of unique active players.

Despite industry headwinds hampering the first half, Banijay’s content production and distribution division delivered revenue of Euro 3,348 million, up by a slim but significant 0.5 per cent. The final quarter finished with flair, showing a 6.7 per cent rise thanks to major scripted show deliveries.

Content production revenue specifically stood at Euro 2,615 million, down 2.8 per cent compared to 2023, but bounced back brilliantly with a 6.2 per cent boost in Q4. Content distribution dipped by 1.5 per cent to Euro 397 million in 2024, but rebounded robustly in Q4 with a 33.2 per cent increase.

“Banijay group enjoyed a record year in 2024,” said Riahi. “Even in a challenging global content prouction market, we continued to see strong demand – especially from streaming platforms – for our iconic brands and deep content catalogue as the number one European studio for scripted content and a world leader in global format launches.”

The streaming success story continued with top-performing titles including Like Water for Chocolate, which ranked first among Spanish-language content on HBO Max, while Supersex, La Vita che Volevi and The Law According to Lidia Poet dominated Netflix’s top four scripted titles in Italy during H1.

Banijay maintains its mantle as the number one studio worldwide for global format launches. Six legacy formats ranked among the top 20 most-traveling TV formats globally, including Deal or No Deal (#2), MasterChef (#4), Big Brother (#6), Survivor (#7), Minute to Win It (#11), and The Money Drop (#14).

The company’s catalogue has expanded enormously, growing by more than 20,000 hours over the year to reach 207,000 hours of content, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023.

Live experiences & other revenue rose remarkably by 42 per cent to Euro 336 million, driven by robust growth from brand licensing and the full-year contribution of Balich Wonder Studio. Throughout 2024, Balich Wonder Studio produced 119 shows including the opening ceremony of Euro 2024 in Munich and the Uefa Champions League in London. Cultural conquests included the award-winning Viva Vivaldi: The Four Seasons Immersive Concert in Verona and the 400th edition of the Festino di Santa Rosalia, which attracted more than 350,000 spectators.

The Independents impressed with 642 shows including the Vogue Festival in Paris and Spring/Summer 2025 runway shows for luxury labels like Christian Louboutin and Khaite.

Post-year developments include the January 2025 acquisition of Lotchi, a French producer of immersive experiences combining architecture with video-mapping, light and classical music. February saw the launch of Banijay Live Studio, set to create cutting-edge out-of-home entertainment experiences with a “Black Mirror” project already underway.

The online sports betting and gaming division delivered dazzling results, with revenue racing ahead by 45.4 per cent to Euro 1,456 million and an exceptional Q4 performance showing 49.3 per cent growth.

Online sportsbook revenue rose by 48.4 per cent to Euro 1,144 million, while online casino, poker and turf grew by 35.5 per cent to Euro 311 million. The betting business bagged market share across all products and territories, enjoying a 37 per cent increase in unique active players compared to 2023.

The division debuted a fully redesigned sportsbook app and launched a new proprietary poker platform in December 2024. The group strengthened its responsible gaming policy, with 99 per cent of its online sports betting & gaming revenue generated in locally regulated markets in 2024.

Looking forward, Banijay forecasts further fiscal fortunes in 2025:
* Mid-single digit growth for content production, distribution and live experiences
* Mid-teens growth for online sports betting and gaming
* Mid-to-high single digit growth in adjusted EBITDA, despite a Euro 20 million hit from higher betting taxes in France (effective from 1 July 2025)
* Adjusted free cash flow of approximately 80 per cent of adjusted EBITDA

Riahi, announced that several board members, including himself, will be purchasing shares in the company – a vote of confidence in future growth.

“Banijay Group’s value proposition in the entertainment industry is unique,” Riahi concluded. “We have a clear track record of performance, and we aim to expand our free float and stock liquidity so that shareholders can benefit from the value we are creating.”

March 10, 2025
Colors Marathi announces new season of ‘Bigg Boss Marathi’

Mumbai: The much-anticipated new season of Bigg Boss Marathi will premiere on 28 July 2024, bringing back the excitement and drama that fans love. The Bigg Boss house is ready to welcome its new housemates, with over 100 cameras capturing their every move. For 100 days, viewers will witness the intriguing, often unexpected, sides of the contestants, all under the watchful eye of superstar Riteish Deshmukh. Adding his unique style and charisma, Riteish promises a season full of masti and high-octane entertainment as he hosts the show this season. Produced by Banijay and Endemol Shine India, special partners Santoor, PN Gadgil and Sons, the new season of ‘Bigg Boss Marathi’ will air every night from next Sunday at 9 pm on Colors Marathi.

This season, Bigg Boss Marathi will feature contestants from diverse fields, creating a dynamic mix that will be revealed soon. The promos have already given viewers a glimpse of Riteish’s engaging style and a hint of what they can expect from him on the show. So, it will be interesting to watch how he welcomes the contestants. Will he be a friend or a guide? Will he do Grand Masti with contestants, or be their Lai Bhaari companion? What happens when something goes wrong, or someone crosses the line? All this will unfold soon in Riteish’s style.

Riteish Deshmukh while expressing his excitement about the new season of ‘Bigg Boss Marathi’ said, “I am excited bringing the new season of ‘Bigg Boss Marathi’ to you. I have been following this show closely all these years, and now I am thrilled to be associated with Colors Marathi as the new host of Bigg Boss Marathi. It’s our responsibility to present this show in a new style and new form. The new season of Bigg Boss Marathi will be full of excitement, drama, and a lot of fun.”

Viacom18 president (general entertainment) Alok Jain said, “At Viacom18, we prioritize innovation, consistently introducing diverse themes across our channels to ensure every family member finds a story they connect with. Bigg Boss franchise exemplifies this commitment by evolving with fresh content and engaging formats. This season, with Riteish Deshmukh hosting Bigg Boss Marathi, we are redefining the viewing experience, bringing unexpected twists and dynamic interactions. By blending universal storytelling with local flavors, we are creating compelling narratives that resonate across different audiences. As we continue to set new benchmarks in entertainment, viewers can look forward to a season filled with unparalleled excitement.”

Viacom18 cluster head, Colors Marathi, Colors Kannada, and Color Tamil, Sushma Rajesh said, “Colors Marathi has always been at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, and we are delighted to unveil the new season of Bigg Boss Marathi. After a period of eager anticipation, we are thrilled to bring back Bigg Boss Marathi with renewed energy and excitement, with Riteish Deshmukh as the new host. This season is set to offer a remarkable fusion of drama and intrigue, elevating the viewer experience and reinforcing our focus on varied and exceptional entertainment. We are confident this season will not only entertain but also resonate deeply with our audience, making it a truly unforgettable experience.”

Colors Marathi programming head Kedar Shinde added, “Bigg Boss Marathi is Colors Marathi’s big ticket show and it’s returning after 2 years. This marks the beginning of a new era for Colors Marathi where novelty will be the buzzword to take the channel to newer heights. We have given Riteish Deshmukh, who is Bollywood and Maharashtra’s favorite superstar, the hosting responsibility of the show. Rest assured, this new season will be grander and more vibrant. It takes guts to be part of the game. This season will see contestants from different fields, different parts of the state. Their talent and popularity will take this season to newer heights for sure.”

Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India founder & group CEO Deepak Dhar said, “We are excited to launch this season of Bigg Boss Marathi which promises a fresh wave of drama & entertainment with the charismatic Riteish Deshmukh as our new host. The overwhelming response from our audience season after season has inspired us to come together once more to create the 5th season of Bigg Boss Marathi, while also taking our association with Colors Marathi one step ahead. At Endemol Shine India, we want to make sure that interesting formats like Bigg Boss are tailored to connect with every household and resonate with the diverse linguistic and cultural tastes of our audiences. We are confident that this season will continue to captivate & engage our viewers while taking the Bigg Boss experience to new heights.”

Bigg Boss is known for its intriguing, unpredictable, and humorous aspects, along with its compelling contestants. Beyond entertainment, Bigg Boss has been a launchpad for many, fulfilling dreams and establishing individual identities. As the doors to the Bigg Boss Marathi house open this time, viewers eagerly anticipate the new participants, their gameplay, and who will capture hearts and entertain with their antics.

Bigg Boss Marathi’s new season premieres on 28 July and will air every day at 9 pm on Colors Marathi. Viewers can also catch the show anytime on JioCinema.

July 23, 2024
Banijay confirms proposed acquisition of Beyond International

MUMBAI: Banijay has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed (Scheme) to acquire Beyond International. It is a scripted and non-scripted multi-territory content group. Beyond has been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange since 1987, but once the Scheme is implemented it will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Banijay and its shares will cease to be publicly traded.

Complementing Banijay’s existing catalogue of over 130,000 hours, Beyond Rights plays home to more than 8,000 hours of IP. From third-party producers and in-house production, its key distributed titles include, but are not limited to, Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401, Massive Engineering Mistakes, Halifax: Retribution, MythBusters and Deadly Women.

Elsewhere, with a track record of production in English-language markets, Beyond Productions’ latest titles include the recently announced Back in the Groove, a new dating series for Hulu, produced in partnership with Walt Disney Television Alternative; multi-territory franchise, Love It or List It Australia; the 8-part scripted series Troppo (co-produced with EQ Media) screening on Freevee USA and ABC Australia, and several yet-to-be-announced new series in production across a number of markets.

Beyond International MD & CEO Mikael Borglund, remains in his current role.

Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti said, “As content demand continues to soar, catalogue remains key, and in acquiring Beyond, we would take our offering up considerably. Primarily bolstering our IP and production portfolio in the English-language and factual space, with Beyond’s complementary content, the deal can enhance our position as a leading go-to for clients and commercial partners alike.”

Borglund said, “The Beyond Board is very much supportive of the deal, which will see us join Banijay’s group, bolstering its standing in what is an increasingly competitive market. Joining a leading global business like this is a very exciting opportunity for us and we look forward to collaborating on newfound opportunities ahead.”

The acquisition would see Banijay take full control of the Beyond International Ltd group of companies and departments, with all elements of the business boarding the former’s own production and distribution footprint.

The implementation of the Scheme remains subject to certain conditions including Beyond shareholders’ approval, court approval and other customary closing conditions. It is hoped the deal will close at the end of 2022 or by the beginning of 2023.

Banijay is being advised on the transaction by Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

October 8, 2022
Banijay celebrates 25 years of Survivor

MUMBAI: Banijay is celebrating 25 years since the adventure reality format, Survivor, debuted in Sweden in September 1997. The milestone achievement follows the format’s most successful year-to-date last year, with 25 productions in 2021.

Survivor tests the spirit of a group of ordinary, yet extraordinary people who are marooned, with little more than the clothes on their backs and their own animal cunning. As they catch their own food, build their own shelter and order their own society, castaways must compete in increasingly difficult tests of strategy and guile.

Ranked the Best Reality Show Of All Time (Variety), Survivor, the format which is created by Charlie Parsons, has been commissioned in 50 territories and is one of the most loved and watched formats around the world. The anniversary follows the recent announcement that Survivor will return to the UK in 2023, with Remarkable Entertainment (part of Banijay UK) producing the series for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Other recent comebacks for the format include Brazil, Norway, Bulgaria and Romania, with all-new first-time adaptations in Mexico and Serbia, as well as an upcoming launch in Canada (French).

Banijay global head of content operations Lucas Green said, “Survivor has all the elements of a hit format combining jeopardy, reality, strategy and adventure. Whilst each version is unique to its territory, every Survivor season celebrates the core values of this much-loved show. It has been honed through hundreds of seasons of expertise and is head and shoulders above the countless copycats which never quite stand up to the test. We are proud to produce the original – and in our view the best – adventure reality format on television. Most of all, we give thanks to those hard-working production teams around the world, with whom we celebrate this distinguished anniversary.”

Amongst the hugely successful iterations around the world are the U.S., which is the longest-running version with season 44 confirmed and more than 7.5 million viewers tuning in to the most recent season on CBS; The Netherlands, which has aired every year since 2000; the hugely popular French series, which will air its 29th season next year; and the originating market Sweden, which recently aired its 21st run of Expedition Robinson. The format also enjoys successful companion shows, all-star spin-offs and celebrity versions.

Survivor has created iconic moments over the last 25 years. These include an Israeli contestant meeting his child for the first time via video link at the Tribal Council, a player voting off her mum so she could progress in series 29 in the US, a proposal between two All Star contestants in the US. There was even a visit to the beach from Ivanka Trump in the Italian production, in heels and a sequinned dress!

September 23, 2022
Ranveer Singh, Bear Grylls team up for an adventure reality special on Netflix

MUMBAI: OTT platform Netflix has announced that actor Ranveer Singh teams up with Bear Grylls for India’s first interactive adventure reality special produced by Banijay Asia in association with The Natural Studios. It will premiere on 8 July. Singh takes off on a date with nature, fending for himself, and learning new survival skills as he ventures into the depths of the wild to find a rare flower for his lady love in the harsh forests of Serbia – all while the viewers get to pick the course of his escapades.

Produced by Banijay Asia and The Natural Studios, ‘Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls’ gives viewers a chance to join Ranveer on his journey, choose every step in the adventure and be a part of the action. Bear Grylls and Ranveer’s dynamic pairing will bring forth the ultimate adventure reality to audiences globally.

Netflix India VP content Monika Shergill said, “We are excited to take audiences on the ultimate adventure with the high octane and unstoppable Ranveer Singh and the world’s best survival expert, Bear Grylls in ‘Ranveer vs Wild. with Bear Grylls’’. Netflix brings India’s first-ever interactive adventure special that will give audiences all over the world the controls to test Ranveer Singh, as he pushes his boundaries in this adrenaline-pumping experience of a lifetime.”

Banijay Asia founder, CEO Deepak Dhar said, “Ranveer vs Wild. with Bear Grylls is a huge step in pushing the envelope of interactive reality TV and we are elated to bring this exciting special to Netflix members across the world. While the world is familiar with Ranveer’s electrifying spirit and adventurous side, with this show, we’ll see the best of both sides coming out as he embarks on his quest for love. We are thrilled to bring this power-packed duo of Ranveer Singh and Bear Grylls together to take the adventure of a lifetime and shoot the entertainment quotient through the roof.”

June 11, 2022
TV production major Banijay to go public via SPAC deal

Mumbai: TV production and distribution company Banijay will go public and enter the stock exchange in Amsterdam through a newly-created special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Banijay is being moved into FL Entertainment, which will also house Banijay founder Stéphane Courbit’s online gambling firm Betclic.

The deal was announced by FL Entertainment and Pegasus Entrepreneurs, a SPAC. The companies will merge. The transaction gives an implied equity value of €4.1 billion and an enterprise value of €7.2 billion – the largest business combination by a European-listed Spac. The shares will begin trading on Euronext in Amsterdam on 1 July.

The Banijay Group claims to be the world’s largest independent content production company, operating over 120 production companies across 22 countries. It produces both scripted and non-scripted content across all genres, including reality shows, entertainment and talk shows, game shows, factual entertainment, documentary, drama, animation and comedy. Banijay has a multi-genre catalogue of over 120,000 hours of original standout programming. It has produced programmes such as “Survivor,” “Versailles,” “Peaky Blinders,” “Germinal” and “MasterChef.” The global content production industry was valued at approximately €200 billion in 2021 and is structurally growing.

“Achieving a public listing of FL Entertainment through this partnership with Pegasus Entrepreneurs is a milestone in the history of our group. As a result of the transaction, the group will benefit from a robust balance sheet and will be very well positioned to capture growth in the entertainment industry,” commented Stéphane Courbit. “FL Entertainment is all about partnership, and I am pleased to welcome Pegasus Entrepreneurs and its sponsors as shareholders to our strengthened partnership with Vivendi, SBM International, Fimalac and De Agostini, our existing shareholders in Banijay Group and Betclic Everest Group who have given us their full support to make FL Entertainment even more powerful.”

“One of the key strengths of FL Entertainment is its management team: François Riahi as CEO of FL Entertainment, Marco Bassetti as CEO of the Banijay Group and Nicolas Béraud as CEO of the Betclic Everest Group. Both Marco and Nicolas have developed their businesses with tremendous success so far and will continue to do so in the new structure, supported by a talented team,” Courbit further said.

Pegasus Entrepreneurs sponsor, CEO and future member of the FLE Board Pierre Cuilleret said, “Pegasus Entrepreneurs was created by long-term investors with the objective of partnering with an entrepreneur-led European company with a track record of achieving profitable growth, and the potential to accelerate growth and create value with access to our expertise, network and listing platform. We could not dream of a better opportunity than partnering with FL Entertainment and Stéphane Courbit to achieve our objective on behalf of our shareholders.”

“The proposed business combination with FL Entertainment benefits from strong support from our shareholders and investors, as evidenced by unprecedented level of non-redemption commitments already received, as well as the largest ever PIPE raising by a European-listed SPAC. We look forward to the next stage of FL Entertainment’s growth and value creation,” Cuilleret added.

May 13, 2022
Banijay’s Don’t Forget the Lyrics heads to Portugal for the first time

MUMBAI: Banijay-owned Shine Iberia has confirmed that it is bringing Não te Esqueças da Letra (Don't Forget the Lyrics) to Portugal in a first series deal with RTP1. Presented by João Paulo Rodrigues, the musical game show will air in Portugal on Saturday evenings from this spring.

Singing ability plays no part in this entertainment series, instead it is all about correctly remembering the words to hit songs to win a life-changing cash prize. Contestants choose from different genres and decades, and take to the stage and sing-along with the studio band as the lyrics are displayed. But will they have what it takes when the music stops? Or will they forget the lyrics?

Originally created in the US, Banijay format Don’t Forget the Lyrics first aired in 2007 and has been adapted in over 25 countries. The format is a long-running hit in France, produced by Air Productions and celebrating 5,000 episodes on France 2 this spring.

Banijay creative networks content operations global head Lucas Green said: “Don’t Forget the Lyrics is the epitome of feel-good entertainment which is incredibly popular right now. As we celebrate 5,000 episodes in France, it is great to be bringing the show to new markets and we firmly believe other broadcasters will be interested in the mixture of game and music the format offers.”

Shine Iberia CEO Macarena Rey said: “We are excited to create a local version of this uplifting format which the whole family can enjoy together. The home of Fado, Portugal has always enjoyed a booming music scene and Don’t Forget the Lyrics promises to create the fun, party atmosphere many viewers are craving.”

Shine Iberia is behind numerous non-scripted shows airing across Spain and Portugal. Currently on-air in Portugal is the country’s first local version of All Together Now, along with entertainment hits such as Hell’s Kitchen and The Voice Kids.

Other offerings from Shine Iberia include MasterChef, MasterChef Junior and MasterChef Celebrity, alongside Sewing Bee, The Island, Anything Goes, Hunted, MasterChef Portugal, D’Improviso, The Voice Portugal, Kitchen Nightmares and I Love Portugal.

March 12, 2021