Bear Grylls partners with Banijay for new production outfit

Running Wild‘s Bear Grylls has launched a new production outfit focusing on unscripted and scripted content with the backing of France’s Banijay Group.

The Natural Studios will focus creating and producing adventure TV and film content for all platforms and has been funded by Banijay, which serves as production and distribution partner.

Grylls is launching the company with Bear Grylls Venture partner Delbert Shoopman, with the duo developing original IP “with mass global appeal and nurturing the next generation of adrenaline-fueled TV stars worldwide,” the company said.

The duo will maintain full strategic control over the new label, which becomes the latest addition for Banijay in adventure programming. The company also owns brands including Survivor, 71 Degrees North, Fort Boyard, The Crystal Maze, SAS: Who Dares Wins and Stars On The Rocks.

The Natural Studios’ current slate of shows includes Hostile Planet (Nat Geo), Eco-Challenge (Amazon), Running Wild With Bear Grylls (Nat Geo) and Emmy-nominated You Vs Wild (Netflix).

Grylls said: “It has been such a journey for Delbert and I to get to the stage where we can build out our adventure shows under our own studio.”

Marco Bassetti, CEO at Banijay Group, said: “In a crowded marketplace, with many new players, only strong talents can cut through and as the face of adventure globally, Bear does just this.

“Both he and Del bring an incredibly strong portfolio and track record in this space and fit harmoniously with our existing catalogue of world-class adventure entertainment brands.”

The deal was brokered by ACF Investment Bank, as advisors to Grylls and Shoopman.