ITV

Tag: Survivor

  • Havas India teams up with Banijay Asia to bring entertainment firepower to advertising

    Havas India teams up with Banijay Asia to bring entertainment firepower to advertising

    MUMBAI: Advertising is eating entertainment—or is it the other way round? Havas India has struck a strategic partnership with Banijay Asia, the regional arm of Europe’s largest studio, to fuse the art of selling with the craft of showmaking. The alliance marks a bet that brands can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines of culture; they must wade into the thick of it.

    Banijay Entertainment, the Paris-headquartered titan behind global juggernauts like Survivor, Big Brother and Temptation Island, has built its Asian operation into a content factory. In India alone, Banijay Asia has churned out The Kapil Sharma Show, Bigg Boss, Nach Baliye, The Night Manager and The Voice—hits that have shaped prime-time viewing and water-cooler chatter.

    Under the new arrangement, Havas India will plug into Banijay Asia’s storytelling muscle to create what it calls “entertainment-led brand storytelling”. Translation: adverts that don’t feel like adverts. The partnership stretches beyond India to cover Havas clients across South-East Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan.

    “Advertising today is no longer confined to conventional mediums; it thrives at the intersection of entertainment, content and culture,” said Havas India, South-East Asia and North Asia group chief executive Rana Barua. The goal, he added, is to help brands “drive cultural and business impact” by thinking bigger and bolder.

    Banijay Asia founder & group chief executive Deepak Dhar argued that India and the wider Asia-Pacific region are “ready for a more immersive, content-first approach to brand building”. With Havas’s network reach and Banijay’s format expertise, the two aim to make brands “part of everyday conversations”.

    The tie-up reflects a broader trend: the blurring of boundaries between advertising and entertainment. Banijay Entertainment has already launched a specialist division, Banijay Branded Entertainment, to capitalise on brands’ hunger for original content. This partnership takes that ambition eastward, where audiences are younger, mobile-savvy and increasingly allergic to traditional ad formats.

    Havas India, which operates 24 agencies and divisions across media, creative and health verticals, has been on a tear. The network has won multiple clients and industry gongs over the past three years, including being named a Great Place to Work three times running. With over 2,500 staff across Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru and four other cities, it is positioning itself as one of India’s nimblest advertising shops.

    Banijay Asia, meanwhile, continues to expand its slate. The studio has Indian adaptations of Monk, House and Suits in the pipeline, alongside non-scripted fare like Rise and Fall and Temptation Island. Its parent company, Banijay Entertainment, operates over 130 production companies across 21 territories and delivered more than 17,000 hours of content in 2024. Revenues hit €3.35bn last year, with EBITDA of €528m.

    Whether brands can truly become entertainment—or merely crash the party—remains to be seen. But with this partnership, Havas and Banijay are betting that the future of advertising looks less like a 30-second spot and more like a binge-worthy series.

  • Banijay celebrates 25 years of Survivor

    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!

  • Zee Tamil announces launch of new reality show ‘Survivor’

    Zee Tamil announces launch of new reality show ‘Survivor’

    Mumbai: Tamil GEC, Zee Tamil on Tuesday announced the launch of its upcoming reality show, Survivor. The hugely popular global reality show is adapted for the Tamil market by the content production and distribution company Banijay Asia.

    Helmed by the production giant – Banijay, the franchise’s global success of Survivor is aptly reflected across every international adaptation of the show in multiple languages, resulting in a strong fan base world over. The show is the ultimate game of human survival designed to truly test every aspect of its contestant’s mental and physical strength, the multi-channel network said in a statement.

    “As a channel, we have always committed ourselves to engage our audience with innovative content and variety in reality entertainment. Survivor will definitely set new benchmarks in reality show formats in India. From the production value to the portfolio of talent, Zee Tamil has truly embarked on a journey in partnership with Banijay Asia to redefine quality entertainment in the market,” said ZEEL, EVP and South cluster head, Siju Prabhakaran.

    Banijay Asia’s CEO and co-founder, Deepak Dhar added, “Survivor is a show that has a global fan base. The format is unique, adaptable, and has the potential to match audience sensibilities across the board. The Tamil industry has always been experimental and bringing a reality show of this nature will only broaden the genre further. Zee Tamil has always been a frontrunner in bringing innovative content to its audience, and we’re excited to be partnering with them.”

    The launch of the show on Zee Tamil is soon to preceded by a promotional campaign. The show will also be available to watch on Zee’s OTT platform, Zee5.

  • MGM buys out Mark Burnett, names him as president of TV & Digital

    MGM buys out Mark Burnett, names him as president of TV & Digital

    MUMBAI: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) is acquiring full control of United Artists Media Group (UAMG), in which reality TV producer Mark Burnett owned a 23 per cent interest with his wife Roma Downey.

     

    Additionally, Burnett has been named president of MGM Television and Digital Group.

     

    Burnett, who signed a five-year contract, will report directly to MGM CEO Gary Barber. Burnett’s new appointment will occur simultaneously with the closing of MGM’s acquisition of the remaining 45 per cent of Hearst’s, Burnett’s and Downey’s interests in UAMG, which will be absorbed under the MGM Television Group umbrella.

     

    “Mark Burnett is one of the most successful producers in television and a highly sought-after executive in content creation. His leadership is the next step in our never-ending quest to expand and grow our television and digital businesses,” said Barber. “Combining all of our TV content efforts under the purview of this unparalleled chief is incredibly exciting. Additionally, we believe this synergistic transaction will be very accretive to MGM.”

     

    Burnett and Downey will exchange their 23 per cent interest in UAMG for 1,337,360 shares of MGM stock valued at $90 per share. Hearst will receive $113.5 million in cash for their 22 per cent interest. This transaction will enable the complete integration of UAMG’s and MGM’s television businesses and the consolidation of their operations. The transaction is expected to close at the beginning of 2016 and was valued based upon the original deal parameters established when MGM acquired the initial 55 per cent of UAMG in 2014, less distributions.  The planned OTT channel will remain a separate entity controlled by its investors, Downey, Burnett, Hearst and MGM.

     

    “Joining MGM under the incredible leadership of Gary Barber is an exciting new chapter of my television career,” said Burnett. “Demand for quality content is stronger than ever and the opportunities to grow our pipeline and develop projects from the wealth of Intellectual Property in the MGM and United Artists libraries are enormous. There is no better time to be creating premium content for distribution across multiple platforms. “

     

    Downey added, “We have entered into an era where faith-based and family programming is experiencing a creative renaissance. I am so excited and grateful to head up the team at LightWorkers Media under MGM. This is an enthusiastic marketplace that inspires us every day to create and curate new, thoughtful and dynamic content for all screens in the distribution landscape.”

     

    In 2016, MGM Television will now have numerous unscripted and scripted television shows airing on network and cable or in production including: The Voice (NBC); Survivor (CBS); Shark Tank (ABC); Beyond the Tank (ABC); Celebrity Apprentice (NBC);Fargo (FX); Vikings (History); Teen Wolf (MTV);  500 Questions (ABC); The People’s Choice Awards (CBS); Lucha Underground (El Rey Network) and America’s Greatest Makers (INTEL/Turner).

     

    As part of the new structure, Downey will serve as president of LightWorkers Media, which will be the faith and family division of MGM Television, and will report to Burnett.  Downey will also serve as the chief content officer for the planned OTT channel. 

     

    Additionally, Chris Ottinger has been promoted to president of worldwide television distribution & acquisitions for MGM, reporting directly to Barber. MGM president of television development & production Steve Stark will continue to oversee all scripted content and will report directly to Burnett in an expanded role.

     

    MGM president of domestic television distribution John Bryan will continue in his role overseeing domestic distribution. Roma Khanna has stepped down from her position as head of television and digital. “Roma has done a terrific job at MGM. We are thankful for her efforts in helping grow MGM and wish her much success in her future endeavours,” said Barber.

  • AXN bets big on 2015; launches new shows

    AXN bets big on 2015; launches new shows

    MUMBAI: Come April and English entertainment channel AXN from the Multi Screen Media (MSM) stable is all set to redefine itself. The channel will be extending its content offering and has lined up a slew of new shows for this year. Moreover, April will also see the launch of the channel’s high definition offering – AXN HD.

     

    Speaking on the launch of the HD channel, Sony Pix and AXN EVP and business head Saurabh Yagnik says, “Due to digitisation, issues relating to distribution and availability have been addressed. The category has now become more amenable to appointment based viewing and audiences are seeking two kinds of shows – iconic and fresh shows from the US.”

     

    As part of its revised strategy, the channel will do away with telecasting movies.

     

    Brand New FPC

     

    Keeping consumer insights in mind, the channel has increased its programming line up. For instance, the weekday programming slot from Monday to Thursday has been re-jigged to Monday to Friday. The 8 pm slot will have signature shows like Guiness, Ripley’s, American Ninja Warrior and Wipeout.

     

    This will be followed by reality shows at 9 pm like Fear Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef, Survivor and The Amazing Race. 

     

    The 10 pm slot will have famous crime shows like 24, Elementary, NCIS and CSI amongst others.

     

    Finally, the 11 pm slot will have edgier content with shows like Sex and the City, Dexter, Ray Donovan and Californification.

     

    Weekend Slot Strengthened

     

    In August 2014, AXN introduced a new weekend slot, ‘Not So Ordinary Weekend,’ which aired on Friday and Saturday. Since the weekday slot will now be extended from Monday to Friday, the ‘Not So Ordinary Weekend’ slot has been moved to Saturday and Sunday. During this slot, the channel will air fresh content airing closer to US dates. Shows that air in this slot are: Sherlock (season four), Supernatural (season eleven), Orphan Black (season three), Hannibal (season three), Elementary (season four), Voice (season nine and 10), Madam Secretary (season two), Extant (season two), and Scorpion (season three).

     

    New Shows:

     

    Beginning 6 April, fresh seasons of shows like 24 and Dexter will be telecast at 10 pm and 11 pm respectively on weekdays. Top Chef Masters season five will begin from 9 April at 8 pm during the weekdays. Another long running reality show Survivor is back in its season 27 from 21 April from Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

     

    The channel has partnerships with 20 global studios like CBS, Sony Pictures, BBC, WB, MGM, NBC Universal, Buena Vista International, Fremantle Media, Endemol, and FOX for content deals. The channel also has 2000 plus hours of content supply every year.

     

    AXN HD Launch

     

    On 6 May, 2014 MSM received two licences from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B). The aim was to increase its high definition (HD) offering to its viewers. The licences obtained were for AXN HD and SET HD. The network today announced that AXN HD will be launched on 6 April, 2015. It will have 1080i HD picture clarity and 5.1 sharp surround sound. The network is currently in talks with various platforms for its distribution. It is currently priced at Rs 30.

     

    “While the shows will be same on the two channels, we will be tweaking some of the content for the HD feed. We could also have certain exclusive content for the HD feed in the future,” informs Yagnick.

     

    Social Engagement

     

    Providing some inputs from digital agency Social Bakers for the period December 2014 to February 2015, the channel claims to have an engagement rate on social media of 5.80 per cent versus its closest rival Zee cafe at 2.90 per cent. For the same period, FX, Comedy Central and Star World had an engagement rate of 1.70 per cent, 1.36 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively. A third of the channel’s marketing budget is dedicated for digital activations that are handled both by AXN and digital agency Tonic Media. Through this, AXN targets to reach an additional five million fans on social media. 

     

    The target audience for the channels is the 15-34 age group.

     

    Marketing

     

    AXN has also put in place an aggressive TV plan where promotions will run across the MSM network channels. A print plan targeted in four cities on 6 April is on the anvil besides robust social media promotions. However, radio and OOH will not feature for the promotions.

     

    Sharing an insight about the genre’s growth, Yagnick says that the average weekly viewing (time spent) of 10 minutes on the genre has increased by approximately 50 per cent. While the metros have been performing well for the channel, the U.P. market has grown substantially as distribution has helped increase availability.

     

    Pix and AXN vice president and head programming and acquisitions Amogh Dusad informs that drama is the biggest performing genre on the channel. “Comedy is well being explored and reality shows too have performed well for the channel,” Dusad adds.

     

    With a robust line up and a focus ahead on retaining its leadership position, AXN is aiming at making it big this year.