Banijay Entertainment took center stage at the London TV Screenings on Wednesday, February 25, showcasing a massive and highly anticipated 2026 lineup. Held once again at the iconic BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, the event ran across two dedicated sessions (AM and PM), offering international buyers a comprehensive look at the company’s premium slate of scripted dramas, factual series, and high-impact formats.
Highlighting the sheer scale and creative strength of the group, the presentation demonstrated a strong balance between fresh, original intellectual property and the strategic revival of proven superbrands.
The Executive Vision
The showcase underscored Banijay’s dual focus on global resonance and local execution. Cathy Payne, CEO of Banijay Rights, emphasized the strategic importance of the event: “The London TV Screenings is the perfect stage to spotlight the scale and breadth of our catalogue. This year’s line-up reflects the continued global appetite for premium storytelling, with stand-out UK dramas sitting alongside hit returning titles which resonate with buyers worldwide.”
On the unscripted and formats side, James Townley, Chief Content Officer of Development, and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer of Operations, highlighted the company’s dynamic approach to global entertainment. “From sports-driven reality and comedy-crime entertainment to physical competition formats, we’re turning up the heat,” they stated. “We continue to build formats that evolve, travel and resonate in this environment… a testament to the creativity and originality born from our global teams.”
Premium Scripted: Reboots and High-Profile Adaptations
Banijay’s scripted presentation was headlined by several major announcements and highly anticipated adaptations:
Wallander: A major reimagining of the iconic detective drama, produced by Jarowskij/Yellow Bird and Banijay Rights for TV4 and ARD Degeto, starring Gustaf Skarsgård.
A Woman of Substance & Falling: Channel 4 is set to receive The Forge’s brand-new adaptation of Barbara Taylor-Bradford’s iconic novel, alongside Falling, a modern love story from BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne.
Half Man: A highly anticipated new project from Emmy-winning creator Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), produced by Mam Tor Productions in association with Thistledown Pictures for the BBC, BBC Scotland, and HBO.
Open Water: An adaptation of Caleb Azumah Nelson’s multi-award-winning debut novel, produced for the BBC.
The presentation also highlighted strong third-party acquisitions, including the Irish comedy These Sacred Vows and the Paramount+ romantic comedy Two Years Later, alongside a robust list of returning hits like Rogue Heroes, the final season of Grantchester, and the Swedish crime drama Fallen.
Unscripted: Bold Formats and Factual Entertainment
Banijay continues to push the boundaries of reality and competitive formats. The showcase introduced buyers to several bold new concepts:
Football Island: A sports adventure reality format for Videoland.
100 Knives: A high-pressure culinary competition from Mastiff Sweden, Bunim/Murray Productions, and Smart Dog Media for TV4.
How Old Is Your Brain?: A primetime quiz show for France’s M6.
Staying Alive & The Dinner: A singing competition for ProSieben and a psychological reality game for SBS6, respectively.
On the factual front, buyers were presented with gripping new series including America’s Toughest Jails for Discovery, Mission To Space with Francis Bourgeois for Channel 4, and CNN’s Eva Longoria: Searching for France.
Superbrands and Digital Expansion
Banijay also showcased its strategy for maximizing established intellectual property. Buyers were treated to updates on reimagined hits like Johnny Knoxville’s Fear Factor: House of Fear and the Emmy-winning Shaolin Heroes. Third-party non-scripted titles also made waves, notably the cult strategic reality format Werewolves and the iconic Ninja Warrior.
Finally, the company highlighted its ongoing push into the digital landscape. Beyond the highly anticipated return of television superbrands like Big Brother and Peaky Blinders (returning as a new series for BBC and Netflix), Banijay detailed its aggressive creator-led initiatives. This includes the «Creators Lab» partnership with YouTube, the launch of creator-led football team FCF in the Netherlands, and digital-first brand extensions like MasterChef Creators and Big Brother: Knossi Edition.
