Banijay acquires two new Korean formats

Banijay has acquired the exclusive multi-territory format rights to “Bloody Game,” an innovative new Korean format from MBC. The deal will see Banijay represent the format in nine countries across Europe, with potential to be adapted in France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

“Bloody Game” is a competition reality series where one fierce survivor walks away with a grand cash prize. To win, they must beat their rivalrous competitors, who live together in a secret house and face a series of challenges with no contact from the outside world. The show launched in Korea in November last year, drawing subscribers to OTT channel WAVVE, who partnered with MBC on the show.

“Bloody Game” has just been nominated for a C21 Format Award, with the winner revealed at MIPTV in Cannes. Also at the market, Banijay’s Carlotta Rossi Spencer will be speaking on a FRAPA panel titled “The Rise of International Partnerships and Co-Productions” on Monday, April 4.

“With real prize money on the line, the stakes are high in this uncompromising new survival game, where the winner takes it all. Packed with intriguing games and reality, ‘Bloody Game’ brings the much-admired creativity of recent Korean dramas to the unscripted world. It is a bold show which explores important themes. It’s always brilliant to partner with producers around the world and bring their content to the global marketplace,”  said Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay.

Jean Hur, Director of Format Sales at MBC, added: “There are numerous survival formats out there, but MBC’s 'Bloody Game' is above the rest, packed with unique twists to absorb viewers in each episode and action which unfolds beyond anything you could imagine. We hope the show will follow the global path of other Korean formats which have travelled the world.”

●  BANIJAY “EXCHANGES” MULTI-TERRITORY CONTRACT WITH KOREA’S CJ ENM

At the same time, Banijay announced it has landed a multi-territory deal for new relationship format “EXchange”. Acquired from CJ ENM, it is a show of new loves and old flames and successfully launched in Korea last summer. The deal will see Banijay represent the format across the Nordics, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Australia.

“Exchange” sees young couples, who split-up in the past, live together for three weeks, some hope to reconnect while others are ready to find new love. There is just one rule: you cannot reveal who your ex is. Even the audience is initially oblivious as the participants get to know each other through dates and the ex’s insights.

“This relationship format has unbounded potential. It is a truly authentic show catering for a younger audience who long for real feelings and genuine love stories. CJ ENM has created numerous engaging formats which add twists to popular tropes, and 'EXchange' is a prime example. As past relationships are kept secret from the audience as well, the element of guessing had Korean viewers gripped, and we’re expecting a huge amount of interest in this innovative format,”  Carlotta Rossi Spencer added.