US-based division to sit under regional chief exec Ben Samek
Banijay Entertainment is rebranding All3Media’s standalone production division in the US, which will now fall under the remit of regional chief exec Ben Samek.
Samek was named chief exec officer of Banijay America last month following the All3 deal and will report into Jane Turton, deputy chief exec officer at Banijay Entertainment, with a remit to work across core content but also accelerate efforts in digital, live and sports.
Turnkey Studio Services (TSS) will act as a central production services business under Banijay America, and will continue to be led by Justin Medeiros as exec vice president of production and Jacob Cohen-Holmes as head of current programming.
The duo previously led a similar operation within All3Media America.
TSS will provide ongoing production support and studio services for Banijay Entertainment’s global stable of producers, including Studio Lambert, which has used the service for productions including The Circle for Netflix, Undercover Boss for CBS and The Mob for Hulu.
Banijay also wants TSS to produce for third-party labels outside of the group.
Samek said: “Our goal is clear: to build enduring franchises that can travel the world and connect with audiences across platforms and experiences.
“We will remain entrepreneurial and disciplined, investing with clear intent and backing the storytellers and ideas that can create lasting value for the business.”
Turton added: “Ben is a hugely experienced leader who has grown and diversified Banijay America, adding a fast developing live, digital and sport business to its world class TV production.
“We produce many of America’s biggest entertainment brands and I am looking forward to working with him and the team as we grow the slate and continue to broaden out the business. Banijay America is an incredible platform for talent and IP and the merger of the two businesses is an exciting time for us to invest for growth.”
Banijay America’s slate includes Big Brother (CBS), Endemol Shine North America’s Fox trio MasterChef, Lego Masters and Fear Factor: House of Fear, and Bravo shows including 51 Minds’ Below Deck and Truly Original’s Summer House.
Former All3 company Lion TV, meanwhile, has been behind Body in the Basement, Game Day Murders and Mean Girl Murders for ID, while Objective Media Group America’s Worst Cooks in America air on Food Network.
Upcoming titles include Bunim Murray Productions’ Simon Says for Netflix, and Predator vs. Prey with Alan Ritchson for Netflix, as well as a new season of Somebody Feed Phil for YouTube.
In line with the Banijay America integration, Banijay Entertainment has launched Banijay Latin America, which will house its production businesses and activities in the region. Laurens Drillich is chief exec, with Samek continuing to serve as a board member and consultant to the group.
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