Banijay snags exclusive rights to TV Guide content

Banijay International has secured worldwide rights to content from US cable net TV Guide Network.

The distribution deal gives Banijay rights to a 130-hour TVGN catalogue of originals and third-party shows that have gone out on the cable net, as well as to its upcoming first-runs shows.

TVGN is owned by CBS and Lionsgate, both of which have TV sales arms, but Banijay will now sell it content internationally.

Banijay is expanding its business from format sales to cover distribution of finished programming having hired Emmanuel Namiech to consult on the strategy. The TVGN deal was brokered by Banijay International’s global acquisitions manager, Fanny Baudry.

Titles included in the deal include Rock this Boat: New Kids on the Block, in which super-fans go on a cruise with the music acts that they idolise and The Sorrentinos, a nine-episode reality series following Jersey Shore’s Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino. It will also include The Story Behind, which goes behind the scenes of well-known TV shows.

Karoline Spodsberg, the outgoing managing director of Banijay International, said: “The programming included in this deal will expand our growing finished tape catalogue with a raft of high quality programming that has strong international sales potential.”