BANIJAY RIGHTS SIGNS SCRIPTED PACKAGE DEAL WITH CANAL+ GROUP IN FRANCE

The complete deal, including re-licenses, will give POLAR+ subscribers access to over 85 hours of Banijay Rights’ high-end scripted shows and TV movies. The title on the slate are scheduled to be released later this year.

20 MAY 2020

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Leading distributing group of Banijay Group, Banijay Rights, announced that it has signed a deal for its high-end dramas with CANAL+ Group for its channel, POLAR+. The deal, which includes the act of relicensing, will give POLAR+ subscribers access to over 85 hours of Banijay Rights’ scripted shows and TV movies. The agreement between Banijay Rights and CANAL+ Group covers a full slate of titles, with new dramas including “Wisting,” “Public Enemy,” “Rebecka Martinsson” and newly launched Belgian drama, “GR5: Into the Wilderness.” “We are sure that the range and depth of the titles acquired and re-licensed by CANAL+ Group will be well-received by their audience and will help to maintain the CANAL+ Group reputation as the go-to platform for high-end scripted content,” Isabelle Queme, VP of Sales at Banijay Rights said.

“GR5: Into the Wilderness” is a psychological thriller that consists of eight 45-minute episodes. The show is new to the Banijay Rights catalog, launching in Spring to the international market. The drama is co-produced by Zodiak Belgium and Red Balloon for VRT and ZDF Neo. Shot entirely on location, in a dark woods setting, the show takes the viewer through the events of what happened to a missing girl. Everybody is a suspect. Directed by Jan Matthys, “GR5: Into the Wilderness” is set to premiere later this year. Following its success in territories, like the UK, U.S., and Spain, Norwegian crime drama, “Wisting” stars Sven Nordin and Carrie-Anne Moss. The popular series consists of 10 45-minute episodes, which follow homicide detective, William Wisting as he wrestles with a case that involves a wanted American serial killer living in the area. Based on best-selling books by Jørn Lier Horst, “Wisting” is produced by Cinenord and Good Company Films, in co-production with Viaplay, Degeto Film, TV3 Norway and Ripple World Pictures.

Also secured in the deal are both seasons one and two of Yellow Bird’s production for TV4 Sweden, “Rebecka Martinsson." The drama series based on the acclaimed author, Åsa Larsson’s, best-selling crime novels. Taking place in northern Sweden, the film tells a story about a  lawyer named Rebecka Martinsson, who leaves behind a great career in Stockholm and returns to her small hometown to investigate the murder of a close childhood friend. Rebecka later takes part in the hunt for the murderer, and as she homes in on the truth, Rebecka is forced to confront a traumatic past event that determined her destiny. Winner of the MIPDrama Screenings Buyers’ ‘Coup de Coeur’ Award, and primetime ratings hit for RTBF, series one and two of “Public Enemy,” have also been sold to CANAL+ Group. The Belgian crime thriller is a co-production between Entre Chien et Loup and Playtime Films for RTBF in Belgium. The story focuses on Guy Béranger, a child murderer, at the end of his prison sentence. His release on parole led him into the custody of the monks at Vielsart Abbey, which leads to an outcry from the nearby small village and the rest of the country. 

The French linear premiere for series two of Rebecka Martinsson will be on POLAR+ later this year. “Wistling” and  “Rebecka Martinsson” and “Public Enemy,” are currently available on the POLAR+ replay service, which is accessible via myCANAL. “We are thrilled at CANAL+ Group to offer the best of thriller series to POLAR+ subscribers who are eager to discover new stories and talents from all over Europe,” Jean-Marc Juramie, Senior EVP, Pay TV Content at CANAL+ Group said. 

We are sure that the range and depth of the titles acquired and re-licensed by CANAL+ Group will be well-received by their audience and will help to maintain the CANAL+ Group reputation as the go-to platform for high-end scripted content.” Isabelle Queme VP of Sales, Banijay Rights