following the Endemol Shine takeover, will be ramping up the company’s content strategy in key territories, notably in Benelux, Germany and India.
“We are already well-established in Benelux as we’re present at all levels with the streamers and the broadcasters, and we’re really focused on our core business, which is to create new IP,” said Lubbers. In Israel, where the company boasts one key label, Endemol Shine Israel, Banijay is looking to expand its client roster from stalwart Reshet. “Israel is quite small but it’s one of these countries where more and more IP is being developed,” said Langenberg. On the scripted side, the company has delivered shows like “Hostages,” and most recently “Valley of Tears,” Israel’s biggest-budget TV series to date, depicting the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The series recently sold into HBO Max.
“India is a fast-growing territory and we’re interested in striking new partnerships with talent rather than acquiring a new company,” said Langenberg. He said the company was in talks with a famous Indian comedy star to produce content. Producing scripted in India, said Langenberg, was easier than in other territories because “Bollywood has created a factory… you can pitch a scripted show and have it produced in 9 or 10 months.