Scripted codecs and gameshows are performing strongly in Asia for Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of Banijay.
“Grantchester” is a powerful vendor and the corporate licensed dramas similar to “The Good Karma Hospital,” “Youthful” and European titles regionally to companions like Mola TV, says Banijay Rights EVP Asia Rashmi Bajpai. ” ‘Mr. Bean’ is an evergreen property, delighting kids and adults alike, whereas bodily gameshows similar to ‘Wipeout’ and super-brands like ‘MasterChef’ dominate our gross sales chart,” Bajpai advised Selection.
“On the codecs facet, huge branded exhibits with confirmed sponsorship potential that may be shot in managed environments — similar to ‘MasterChef’ and ‘Large Brother’ — and small to medium-scale humorous gameshows with straightforward to know game-play like ‘First and Final,’ additionally do nicely,” Bajpai added.
After the success of the Tamil-language “Survivor,” hosted by movie star Arjun Sarja, in India, Banijay is in discussions to supply extra variations.
“This format has been commissioned globally greater than ever as a result of nature of the present: the distant islands and isolation lend themselves very simply to a socially distanced world and ensures that the shoot places are protected,” says Bajpai.
“Starstruck,” a brand new actuality format which sees contestants rework into a number of the world’s greatest music icons is considered one of Banijay’s highlights at Singapore’s Asia TV Discussion board and Market. Different highlights embrace Banijay’s greatest launch of the yr, Janet Jackson documentary “Janet,” jail drama “Screw,” spy drama “Signora Volpe” and drama anthology “On the Edge.”
Amongst Banijay’s music and leisure codecs, “All Collectively Now” has tasted success in Malaysia and China and “Lego Masters” has been picked up in China and South Korea.
“There was a surge in streaming platforms and an growing demand from these purchasers, creating extra alternatives for us,” says Bajpai. “We’ve secured offers for completed tape, scripted codecs in addition to format gross sales. We hope to strengthen our place within the area whereas working carefully with these streamers on all three fronts. In the meantime, the closing of linear companies similar to Fox, Star World in India, ITV Alternative, NBC Diva and Sony has left a niche out there which isn’t all the time matched by the enterprise from the VOD companies, particularly with the termination of our life-of-series commitments.”
The hybrid nature of ATF doesn’t pose any logistical challenges for doing enterprise, says Bajpai. “We’ve and can proceed to have interaction with our purchasers nearly till it’s vital to take action,” the manager sayid. “The final 18 months have pressured us to view the world and the way we work in another way, and it’s superb how we’ve tailored and adjusted our working types. As an illustration, conferences over Zoom appear fully acceptable as the brand new regular. Undoubtedly, these don’t evaluate to assembly folks in individual — which is all the time higher — and we hope 2022 will give us that chance.”
