Banijay Entertainment announced it has acquired the exclusive format rights for “The Infiltrators,” a heist-themed gameshow from Cowshed Studios, the production company within creative agency Cowshed Collective. The deal was brokered by Luci Sanan at 53 Degrees North Media.
Originally launched on Channel 4’s digital-first brand, Channel 4.0 – a dedicated YouTube and social media channel – “The Infiltrators” is a gameshow featuring popular content creators posing as a group of mastermind thieves. The format revolves around the contestants as they infiltrate an eccentric billionaire’s home and navigate a complex security system in a series of weird and wild physical challenges.
Helen Greatorex, Head of Acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment said: “We’re always looking to discover new content from all sources, and this unique deal showcases the brilliant creativity we seek to complement our own IP portfolio. With its high viewership and retention, and strong potential for recommissions, this budget-friendly format is well-suited for production companies across Banijay Entertainment looking to pitch series with elements of escape rooms, strategic gameplay, and popular game shows.”
George Cowin, Co-Founder & CEO at Cowshed Creative added: “‘The Infiltrators’ is a highly adaptable format, and while we launched on digital-first platform Channel 4.0, this could easily sit on linear or streaming platforms. With Banijay Entertainment’s expertise and global reach, paired with the current popularity in formats with strategic game play and physical game, we see great international potential.”
Recent additions to Banijay Entertainment’s third-party portfolio include “The Fortune Hotel” from Tuesday’s Child, which successfully launched on ITV; ”Genuis Game” from CJ ENM, adapted for ITV by Banijay UK’s Remarkable Television, with David Tennant hosting; and ”Bloody Game,” originating from Korea’s MBC, which debuted in Norway and was commissioned for a second season by TV2, with Mastiff Norway producing. Also garnering interest is “Trick House” from TV Asahi in Japan, and “Love is a Highway” from Attraction in French Canada and “The Game of Wool,” from Hello Halo, part of STV Studios.