Banijay: Let’s Play Ball and high-profile adaptations

Global content powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, today announces this year’s premium line-up for MIPCOM 2025, bolstering its position as the number one European studio. In the spotlight is new drama Half Man from Emmy-winning creator Richard Gadd; new rolling global format Let’s Play Ball; and transformative factual format Wild Reckoning with Bear Grylls. As ever, the powerhouse will also celebrate its latest selection of reimagined reboots and travelling formats, including Fear Factor and Emmy-nominated Shaolin Heroes.

Cathy Payne, CEO Banijay Rights, says: ‘We’re heading back to MIPCOM with a stellar line-up reflecting the breadth and ambition of our catalogue. From gripping, character-driven dramas like Half Man and A Woman of Substance, through to the emotional journeys of Wild Reckoning with Bear Grylls, we’re presenting an eclectic slate set to entice global buyers’.

James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations at Banijay Entertainment, add: ‘This year, we’re doubling down on impact with a bold selection of original and innovative formats. From the instantly recognisable digital-native Let’s Play Ball to the irresistible Villa of Temptations, we’re delivering broad appeal across genres. As the home of the superbrand, we are also supercharging our existing IP with the return of Fear Factor: House of Fear, and travelling hit Shaolin Heroes, a testament to the ongoing talent of our creative teams worldwide’.

On the English-language premium scripted front, the group has Half Man, an uncompromisingly original story about two estranged brothers for BBC and BBC Scotland, produced by Mam Tor (part of Banijay UK) in co-production with HBO; from The Forge Entertainment comes a brand-new adaptation of Barbara Taylor-Bradford’s iconic A Woman of Substance, and Falling, a modern love story from BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne, both for Channel 4.

Additional highlights include Maigret, the first contemporary television adaptation of Georges Simenon’s beloved novels for MASTERPIECE from Playground; and These Sacred Vows, an Irish comedy drama for RTÉ from Treasure Entertainment, in association with Banijay Rights and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. From Australia, comes Hoodlum’s romantic dramedy Two Years Later, set in a post-pandemic world for Paramount+.

Crossing over to non-English-language, is the Swedish re-imagining of acclaimed detective drama, Wallander, by Jarowskij/Yellow Bird and Banijay Rights for TV4 and ARD Degeto; and Disenchanted, a compelling French drama for France Télévisions from Banijay Studios France. Returning favourites include Banijay Entertainment’s Rogue Heroes (Kudos) for BBC iPlayer and MGM+; Bergerac (BlackLight TV) for U and U&DRAMA; and Anonymous (NL Film) for NPO. On the third-party front, the slate includes Signora Volpe (Route 24 Ltd) for Acorn TV; and The Hardacres (Playground in association with Screen Ireland and Red Berry Productions) for 5.

With a blend of original and highly-entertaining formats, Banijay Entertainment showcases Let’s Play Ball for SBS6 from EndemolShine Nederland and Signal.Stream, with a UK version rolling out soon; and groundbreaking sports competition format Football Island, a co-production from SimpelZodiak and Southfields. Elsewhere, Villa of Temptations from Banijay Productions Germany for SAT.1 and Joyn continues to seduce audiences, while Banijay Italia’s culinary hit Foodish has just been recommissioned for TV8. Next-gen superbrand, Shaolin Heroes, from Danish label Metronome soars into three new territories, with more deals expected; and Endemol Shine North America puts its signature twist on the much-anticipated reimagining of Fear Factor: House of Fear, set to hit screens next year on FOX.

From its third-party non-scripted portfolio is unique culinary format Atypical Critics from Pixcom International, featuring autistic food critics, and competitive knitting series Game of Wool from Hello Halo for Channel 4.

Crossing over to factual, highlights include Lost and Found in the Lakes from Welsh production company Tŷ’r Ddraig (part of Workerbee), returning for a second series after stellar ratings, making it the BBC’s most-watched unscripted show in its slot this year; and Bear Grylls swaps the jungle for emotion-fuelled rugged Welsh terrains in all-new Wild Reckoning with Bear Grylls for BBC One, BBC Cymru Wales, and iPlayer. Over in the sunshine, Eva Longoria is continuing her travelogue series with Eva Longoria: Searching for France, a CNN Original series produced by Hyphenate Media Group; and rounding out the line-up are Shine TV’s Mission To Space: With Francis Bourgeois for Channel 4; and third-party Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home for BBC One and iPlayer from Expectation in association with JOKS Productions Limited.

The latest MIPCOM highlights continue to complement Banijay Entertainment’s globally renowned catalogue, which includes superbrands  Big Brother, MasterChef and Peaky Blinders; travelling hits The Summit and Good Luck Guys; and highly-anticipated streamer launches House of Guinness from Kudos for Netflix; the final chapter of the Culpa Mía trilogy for Prime Video from Pokeepsie Films; season 3 of Groenlandia’s The Law According to Lidia Poet for Netflix; and the concluding series of Like Water for Chocolate for HBO Max, produced by Endemol Shine Boomdog and Endemol Shine North America. Additionally, Last One Laughing, created by Hitoshi Matsumoto, continues its unstoppable expansion, now produced in 11 markets by Banijay Entertainment’s labels.