‘Hunted‘ Finds Homes In Sweden, Belgium & Botswana
Civilians and celebrities will go on the run in Sweden, French-speaking Belgium and Botswana. Banijay Entertainment has struck deals placing adrenaline-fuelled reality series Hunted in the countries, taking the UK format’s total global rollout to 12 territories. In Sweden, Banijay-owned Meter/Jorowskij will produce a version for Kanal 5 and Max, while Banijay Belgium is producing the Belgian version for RTL-TVI. In Botswana, Banijay Rights’ local partner Botswana Ignite. The series sees contestants become fugitives attempting to evade elite trackers to win a cash prize.
Toonz Media Group Strikes Anime Deal With 1st Place
Indian animation giant Toonz Media Group has struck a deal with Japanese IP developer 1st Place to create anime projects at cost-effective prices and combat an emerging talent drought. The pair will work together to attract global entertainment companies searching for production solutions for their anime and 3D CGI projects. Japan’s long-standing anime biz has been experiencing a global boom, with the likes of Netflix and Prime Video pushing into the genre in a big way as international demand grows. However, studios are struggling to meet demand, and the Toonz-1st Place pact has been struck partly to combat the issue. “There is already a significant takent shortage in Japan for anime production,” said Ms Kumiko, founder and President of 1st Place. “This strategic partnership with Toonz will help us bridge that gap by expanding our production capability and ensuring we can create more anime TV series and movies without compromising on quality.” For Toonz, whose track record includes work on Wolverine and X-Men films at Marvel, the deal positions it as a key player in international anime production.
ITV Goes Big On ‘Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win‘
ITV is going big on Limitless Win. The network has put in a supercharged order for two more seasons and two Christmas specials of the Ant and Dec series. It will now run until late 2027. Created by Hello Dolly and co-developed by Hello Dolly and Mitre Studios, Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win sees the world’s first never-ending money ladder – with no upper limit to the potential top prize. Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning ITV, said: “The show has established itself as a firm favourite amongst audiences and a staple in the ITV entertainment calendar.” In related news, ITV has commissioned Fern Britton: Inside the Vet’s, a six-part series that follows the work of a busy team of vets. Show comes from Love Monday TV and was part advertiser-funded, with All3Media International handling international sales.
BBC, Arte & RAI Among Buyers At RTÉ
Irish shows from RTÉ Programme Sales have shopped across Europe. One-hour doc Birdsong, which follows ornithologist Seán Ronayne’s unique mission to record the call of every one of the 200 bird species in Ireland, has gone to Arte in France and Germany and BBC4 in the UK. It comes from True Films and recently had its North American premiere at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula. RAI in Italy and YLE in Finland have swooped for The Cable That Changed the World, a Tyrone FIlms and Create One co-production for RTÉ about the first transatlantic communications cable to traverse the ocean floor, from Valentia Island, Ireland to Newfoundland, Canada, 165 years ago. Finally, BBC Northern Ireland and iPlayer has snapped up 18-comedy series Hardy Bucks, which follows the exploits of a group of 20-something slacker lads living in a small fictional town in Ireland.
David Beckham’s Studio 99 Adds Production Chief
Studio 99, the production company founded by David Beckham, has hired Jessica Ludgrove as VP of Production. Reporting into President Nicola Howson, she joins with immediate effect and will oversee the development slate and production output for the producer. Ludgrove has worked in TV and film over two decades in the industry, working as VP, Development at Universal Pictures Content Group, where she developed Love and Rage: Munroe Bergdorf, and Head of Production at Passion Pictures, managing a slate that included The Rescue, Alex Ferguson: Never Give In and Andy Murray: Resurfacing. Studio 99 is part of Authentic Studios, which also houses Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends.
