Los Angeles and London – Banijay International has entered into an exclusive multi-year agreement with TVGN (TV Guide Network) to internationally distribute new original series and entertainment programming aired on the U.S. cable network. The agreement gives the London-based distributor access to first-run programming broadcast on TVGN, an entertainment cable network jointly owned by CBS Corporation and Lionsgate.
“Banijay International is a world class distributor that will expand the delivery and reach of our original programming on an international scale,” said David Wisnia, President of Business Operations, TVGN. “We’re pleased to partner with Banijay on bringing TVGN’s new and compelling programming slate to viewers throughout the world.”
Karoline Spodsberg, Managing Director of Banijay commented, “The programming included in this deal will expand our growing finished tape catalogue with a raft of high quality programming that has strong international sales potential. We are delighted to be working with one of the fastest growing cable networks in the U.S. and look forward to launching TVGN’s new programming to our clients in the coming months.”
In addition to the new programming, the deal includes TVGN’s rich back catalogue of over 130 hours, covering both in-house productions and third-party commissions.
It comes as Banijay International makes a strategic expansion into finished programming distribution, building on its position as a leading force in the global formats market. The deal was brokered by Banijay International’s Global Acquisitions Manager, Fanny Baudry.
Among the highly anticipated TVGN programming included in the agreement are:
Rock This Boat: New Kids on the Block: Die-hard fans take the vacation of a lifetime when they board a cruise for a week-long party on the high seas with America’s favourite bands. The first group to headline this all-new eight-episode series franchise is New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), one of the hottest boy bands in music history with more than 80 million albums sold worldwide, countless sold out tours and record-breaking #1 hit songs. For the past five years, NKOTB has sold out its wildly popular concert cruises, and for the first time ever, cameras will follow the fun, free-spirited voyage of a few select groups of super fans at sea with the band mates of NKOTB. In addition, TVGN will air a 30-minute television special dedicated to the casting for Rock This Boat: NKOTB to showcase all the fun and fandom. Rock This Boat: NKOTB and the Rock This Boat: NKOTBcasting special are produced by Jarrett Creative Group in association with Executive Producer and NKOTB band member Donnie Wahlberg.
The Sorrentinos: This nine-episode series spotlights one of world’s biggest reality TV stars in the aftermath of fame and scrutiny. Mike “The Situation” is sober, finished with Jersey Shore, taking a serious stab at an acting career and also looking to set the record straight once and for all about who he really is. The stakes are high. Not many get a second chance for a first impression and to add to the mix, Mike’s loving but quirky family are along for the ride. The nine 30-minute episodes will follow the entire Sorrentino family—Mike (youngest brother), Linda (mother), Marc (middle brother), Melissa (sister) and Frank (oldest brother) as they embark on life after reality in their hometown of Howell, New Jersey. The Sorrentinos is produced by Jarrett Creative Group.
The Story Behind: This eight-episode series goes behind-the-scenes of TV’s greatest hits and most iconic shows and how they got their start. The Story Behind reveals stories straight from the set with exclusive on-camera interviews with all the inside players from cast members to producers to television executives. Each one-hour episode of The Story Behind will be dedicated to a different show including current fan-favourites on broadcast and cable television, as well as classic shows that have endured the test of time. The Story Behind is produced by TV Guide Productions.
