Banijay Entertainment has announced two major format expansion deals, reinforcing its position as a global leader in premium unscripted content. The company confirmed that its hit adventure reality series "Shaolin Heroes" is set for local adaptations in Sweden and Switzerland, while the musical gameshow sensation "100", co-created by leading content players in Korea and Japan, will be adapted for English-speaking markets under Banijay’s stewardship.
"Shaolin Heroes", originally created by Danish label Metronome, part of Banijay Nordic, has already aired in Belgium and the Netherlands and is set to premiere on M6 in France. The new Swedish version will be produced by Meter/Jarowskij (Banijay Nordic) for SVT, while B&B Endemol Shine (Banijay Germany) will produce the Swiss edition for SRT 2. This marks the fifth and sixth international versions of the format. Recently nominated for an International Emmy® Award in the Non-Scripted Entertainment category, the series follows celebrities as they undergo physical, mental, and spiritual challenges under the guidance of Shaolin Warrior Monks.
Madelene Hansson, CEO of Meter/Jarowskij, said: “We’re always on the lookout for bold, compelling formats and ‘Shaolin Heroes’ delivers on every level. It’s raw, emotional, and spiritually powerful. Our celebrities will be pushed to their limits, and viewers will be drawn into a journey of growth, strength, and cultural connection.”
Tommy Sturzenegger, Managing Director at B&B Endemol Shine, added: “'Shaolin Heroes' offers exactly the kind of visually breathtaking, emotionally resonant content that our audiences are craving. Set against stunning backdrops with cultural depth, the show takes viewers on a powerful journey alongside the celebrities.”
Banijay’s Chief Content Officer, Operations, Lucas Green, emphasized the international success of the format, stating: “‘Shaolin Heroes’ is accelerating its international presence with these latest adaptations. The new iterations in Sweden and Switzerland underscore the universality of the format’s premium, heartfelt storytelling and its adaptability across cultures and markets.”
Simultaneously, Banijay confirmed its acquisition of English-language format rights to "100", a high-energy musical gameshow co-developed by Diturn Korea, ABC Japan, and Empire of Arkadia. The format, originally launched as event television in Asia, pairs amateur and celebrity performers whose combined ages must total exactly 100, turning each performance into a cross-generational guessing game. The show is a celebration of community, age diversity, and musical surprises.
Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay, commented: “‘100’ is a joyful, primetime celebration for the whole family. It’s a perfect complement to our portfolio, offering distinctive, scalable music entertainment that’s fun to guess along with. The original format fuses Japanese and Korean creativity to create a universally appealing concept.”
Representing the creators, Fotini Paraskakis (Empire of Arkadia), Park Wonwoo (Diturn), and Nami Komo (ABC TV) added: “Partnering with Banijay Entertainment to bring our format to English-language markets is a key milestone in the international journey of ‘100’. Built on a premise of music and fun, viewers simply love the show, making this perfect entertainment for all audiences around the world.”
The announcements come as Banijay prepares for Mipcom 2025 with an expanded slate of new formats and third-party titles. The group continues to deliver impressive scale, with over 130 production companies in 21 territories. In 2024 alone, Banijay launched over 250 new non-scripted titles, more than 110 scripted projects, and 80 shows on streaming platforms. It produced 33 formats in three or more territories, generating €3.348 billion in revenues and €528 million in EBITDA for the year.
The new deals for "Shaolin Heroes" and "100" reflect Banijay’s strategy of growing its global IP footprint through both original development and strategic acquisitions. With a catalogue that includes franchises such as "Survivor", "Big Brother", "MasterChef", and "Black Mirror", Banijay continues to reinforce its status as a dominant player in the international content market.