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Tag: Banijay Rights

  • Nazara’s Fusebox drops Big Brother bombshell in mobile gaming world

    Nazara’s Fusebox drops Big Brother bombshell in mobile gaming world

    MUMBAI:  India’s Nazara Technologies has tossed a juicy twist into the global gaming arena. Its UK-based subsidiary, Fusebox Games, has teamed up with Banijay Rights to launch Big Brother: The Game, bringing the drama, deceit and diary room straight to your smartphone.

    This mobile game isn’t just another tap-and-swipe time-killer. It’s a choose-your-own-chaos simulator where players enter the infamous Big Brother house, craft their own characters, form alliances, win challenges — and yes, face the agony of eviction. Think Love Island meets Survivor meets screen-time addiction.

    Fusebox CEO Terry Lee said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Big Brother: The Game to players around the
    world. This is more than just a mobile game — it’s a reality show experience where players shape the drama, form alliances, and fight for survival in the Big Brother house. The global appeal of the Big Brother franchise, combined with our interactive storytelling expertise, makes this a truly unique release.”

    Nazara CEO Nitish Mittersain added: “Fusebox Games has demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation in bringing popular IPs to the interactive gaming space. The launch of Big Brother: The Game aligns with our vision to expand globally and deliver engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences. We are proud to support Fusebox in this exciting endeavor. “

    For Banijay, it’s yet another digital reboot of a format that’s still raking in eyeballs after 600 series across 70 countries.

    “Big Brother has captured the hearts of millions of viewers worldwide. Our partnership with Fusebox Games opens exciting new possibilities, creating immersive ways for fans to engage with this iconic brand. We look forward to seeing players around the world experience the drama, strategy, and excitement of the Big Brother house in a whole new way,”  said Banijay Rights svp of gaming Mark Woollard. 

    Available on iOS and Android, the game builds on Fusebox’s hit-making streak, which includes the Love Island game that previously ruled the app charts. With custom narratives and dynamic characters, Big Brother: The Game is designed to stir drama across demographics.

    One of the world’s most iconic and successful reality television franchises, Big Brother first hit screens 25 years ago in the Netherlands in 1999. Since its debut, over 600 series of the show have aired around the world in 70 markets. Globally, the format has maintained huge popularity and is one of Banijay Entertainment’s top three formats, airing in 28 territories last year. The format continues to make a splash globally, with prime-time success in the UK, Spain and Brazil, long-running versions airing consistently in the US and Italy since 2000, six regional versions each year in India, and a new adaptation in Malta. Big Brother is a Banijay Entertainment format.

    For Nazara, which acquired Fusebox in 2024, it’s one more power play in a global gaming push that’s anything but subtle. The message is clear: if the world’s watching, Nazara’s building.

  • Banijay confirms internal data theft in cyber attack

    Banijay confirms internal data theft in cyber attack

    MUMBAI: Independent production company Banijay has admitted that internal data was stolen in a cyber attack last week, potential impacting hundreds of current and former employees.

    The company said that certain personnel data as well as commercially sensitive information may have been compromised. This follows after the attackers leaked some of the stolen documents online.

    As per media reports, the hackers targeted the systems of the Endemol Shine International network and part of the Endemol Shine Group network in Amsterdam. Banijay acquired Endemol Shine for $2.2 billion this summer.

    The global group is currently investigating the incident with independent specialists, and to date, has reported the issue to the relevant local authorities in both the Netherlands and the UK – the territories affected by the ransomware attack. It is trying to figure out how its technology was breached, who was affected, and what information has been exposed. It is also following guidance from the information commissioner’s office in the UK.

    Banijay Rights CEO Cathy Payne has written to former employees this week, including some who left the Endemol Shine group years ago, to warn them about the incident.

    Banijay is continuing to take the appropriate steps to protect its employees, past and present. If it identifies any cases of data being taken or misused, the production house will contact the affected individuals directly.

  • Banijay Rights launches new website & catalogue

    Banijay Rights launches new website & catalogue

    MUMBAI: Banijay Rights has unveiled its brand-new catalogue and refreshed website following the integration of Banijay Rights and Endemol Shine International.

    In keeping with Banijay’s latest re-brand, the company has a catalogue of 90,000 hours of finished programming and an extensive formats catalogue. The modern and engaging site, which taps into the Banijay, connects buyers with standout mutli-genre programming, company news and is supplemented with an app for on-the-go access. Designed and created by Rawnet, the website also gives users an enhanced screening experience, with the ability to create or receive programme playlists.

    Included in the new drama slate is 6 x 30’ dark comedy, Two Weeks To Live, starring Emmy award-nominee Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) produced by Kudos for Sky One and Now TV; Adult Material, a 4×60’ title produced by Fifty Fathoms for Channel 4, telling the story of leading British pornstar, Jolene Dollar, played by Hayley Squires, juggling on-set glamour and motherhood at home; five-part drama from Tiger Aspect for ITV, Viewpoint, a contemporary surveillance thriller starring Harry Bradbeer (Killing Eve), explores whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect; and from Yellow Bird, comes six part Swedish true crime, The Hunt For A Killer, for SVT.

    Unscripted new releases include 4 x 60’ series, Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime; one-off documentary, Leigh-Anne: Colourism and Race, from Dragonfly Film and Television for BBC Three; and Idris Elba’s Fight School  (4 x 60’ for BBC Two), a timely and important series from Workerbee, which won’t pull any punches.  

    Elsewhere, entertainment format, I Got You Babe, is a hilarious singing competition, which sees six celebrities team up with a puppet each to become the country’s best singing duet; in Fame Maker, contestants can be seen but not heard, as they sing under a soundproofed glass dome; and new dating experiment, Alone Together,  leaves two strangers spend days in complete isolation on a stunning Swedish island to give love the chance to blossom.

    The announcement follows Banijay Rights’ recent unveiling of its newly-formed sales team, led by chief executive officer, Cathy Payne.

  • Channel 4 commissions IWC to make holiday hire makeover show

    Channel 4 commissions IWC to make holiday hire makeover show

    MUMBAI: Channel 4 has commissioned Banijay owned production outfit IWC to produce TX pilot, Hire My Home, a factual entertainment format.

    Channel 4 daytime head Hub & Glasgow head Jo Street  greenlit the project. Hire My Home will be distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

    Featuring two skilled interior designers, Anna Campbell-Jones (Scotland’s Home of the Year) and Zeena Shah, this show takes bland rentals and turns them into unique holiday lets. Each designers are assigned a property in the same area of the UK and are given a budget by the owner to transform it. It will be their job to give each property a stunning makeover, drawing inspiration from the character and culture of the surrounding area and creating a stand-out style would-be holidaymakers can’t ignore. The rejuvenated rentals will then be judged by 100 Brits via a Hire My Home app, with photographs and price point uploaded.

    The show has been commissioned in the summer where many are opting out of foreign travel and holiday rentals in the UK. For thousands of homeowners who advertise their properties online, there has never been a better time to make sure it stands out from the crowd. Whether it’s a first-timer who has never listed their place or someone who wants to refresh a rental that has seen better days, Hire My Home is ready to turn their property into a design dream.

    IWC executive producer Gerard Costello said, “Letting our designers loose on some of the UK’s holiday lets is a great way to see some exciting and characterful transformations. This format will not only give Channel 4 viewers great inspiration for their next staycation, it will be full of creative ideas for their own homes.”    

  • Banijay Rights promotes Endemol’s Matt Creasey as EVP sales, co-productions & acquisitions

    Banijay Rights promotes Endemol’s Matt Creasey as EVP sales, co-productions & acquisitions

    MUMBAI: Banijay Rights today has appointed Matt Creasey as EVP, Sales, Co-Productions and Acquisitions for the rest of the world. The announcement follows after Banijay’s recent acquisition of Endemol Shine Group and onward integration of the two global businesses.

    Creasey, in his new role, will report to Banijay Rights’ CEO Cathy Payne. He joins the leading sales division from Endemol Shine International, where, until now, he served as EVP, sales and acquisitions. Creasey will continue the company’s operation from Los Angeles, he will be responsible for all sales operations and the team for territories outside EMEA.

    Creasey joined Endemol Shine International in 2006 as director of sales and distribution. He has spent his career to date selling and exploiting some of the world’s largest entertainment brands. With an invaluable client base, cross-platform sales experience, unrivaled knowledge of the catalog, and extensive commercial wisdom, he will work closely with Banijay Rights’ newly-appointed leadership team to set the strategy and grow the business across his assigned territories. Exploring opportunities across linear, SVOD and AVOD, he will also handle scripted co-productions in the US and rest of the world, alongside sales and acquisitions.

    Prior to his significant stint at Endemol Shine International, Creasey was head of sales at Celador International.

    Banijay Rights CEO Cathy Payne said,  “Matt has long been a highly-valued senior member of the Endemol Shine team and I could not be more pleased to have him joining me at Banijay Rights. He has an undisputed knowledge of the industry and is sure to thrive in his new position leading the rest of the world across the united catalogues.”

    Creasey on his appointment says, “Bringing together an unrivalled catalogue of global hits, a hugely talented team and an impressive sales network, Banijay Rights now stands as one of the world’s biggest distribution leaders, and what better place to call home. I’m looking forward to working with Cathy again and can’t wait to get started on driving maximum value for our treasure trove of IP in the US and beyond.”