Banijay’s “The Bridge” crosses four Nordic countries with Prime Video

Banijay announced four new adaptations of reality hit “The Bridge,” with Meter Television, Mastiff Norway, Metronome and Endemol Shine Finland producing local versions for Prime Video in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Premiering on November 4, “The Bridge” is the first Nordic reality show for the streaming service and brings the total adaptations of the Banijay format to ten countries.

“The Bridge” is a grand and iconic reality competition where strangers meet in a harsh-but beautiful location. Using a few basic tools and their bare hands must build a 220-metre bridge to an island holding a life-changing cash prize. Once there, a vote is held to decide who gets the prize, with the chosen participant deciding whether to share it. Each local Nordic version will consist of six, 40-minute episodes, with the first three launching on the premiere date, and the remaining three airing weekly.

Karoline Spodsberg, Chief Operating Officer at Banijay Nordic, said: “We know local content is extremely important to Prime Video, and this collaboration has enabled production of four unique adaptations of iconic Banijay format ‘The Bridge.’ Strategically, this mirrors our own strong belief in a bespoke country-by-country approach to creating premium content for the four Nordic countries. Working with Prime Video has been a very positive experience for our labels Meter, Metronome, Mastiff Norway, and Endemol Shine Finland, all collaborating with dedication and passion to deliver an incredible series.”

Madelene Hansson, CEO of Meter Television, added: “We are extremely proud to have led the pan-Nordic collaboration and production of ‘The Bridge.’ Set in the beautiful, but austere, Nordic wilderness, this premium series is packed with emotional reality moments as the contestants do everything possible to meet the challenge. This collaboration with Prime Video is not only the first non-scripted reality commission for the streaming service in the Nordics, but also a first for us here at Meter, and we loved sharing our expertise with colleagues in other countries as well, of course, Prime Video.”

Lastly, Martin Backlund, Head of Content, UK & Nordics at Prime Video, commented: “After the success of our global Originals like ‘The Boys’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,’ we are delighted to be bringing our Nordic customers our first local Original unscripted series, ‘The Bridge.’ We know our customers in the Nordics love reality series, so that is why we are bringing four local versions of ‘The Bridge’ to viewers, showing our commitment to invest in Prime Video content to customers across the Nordics.”

“The Bridge” is an original Banijay format, created in Spain by Zeppelin, part of Banijay Iberia. The format has been adapted in ten markets and recently experienced a resurgence, with a first-series adaption in the UK in 2021, and subsequent second season this year, as well as a debut in Australia.

●  BANIJAY TAKES “STAR ACADEMY” BACK TO FRANCE

Moreover, Banijay announced that its French label Endemol France will bring entertainment competition format “Star Academy” back to the country after nine years. To produce the new season of this iconic program, Endemol France has called on DMLS TV, another label within Banijay.

Fronted by the original host Nikos Aliagas, the most famous musical academy in France will soon welcome a new class. The casting call attracted 10.000 registrants in just 48 hours, showing a very strong interest in the new season. Singing, dancing or acting to become complete artists, this school of excellence will offer the passionate and talented contestants an intensive training programme surrounded by the best teachers. Every day, viewers will be able to follow the progress of the students in a daily show on TF1.

“‘Star Academy’ delivers some of the most revered music training in the industry and we cannot wait to showcase a new generation of French talent. The exciting live performances, combined with the expert training the artists will receive, make an entertaining show for all the family,”  declared Jean-Louis Blot, CEO of Endemol France.