Banijay strikes rights deal with LOL creators

Banijay Entertainment has struck deals with the Japanese creator of global format LOL: Last One Laughing and a French YouTube creator in its latest unscripted push.

The deal with Yoshimoto, Japan’s largest entertainment group, will see Banijay taking global format rights to comedy The Laughing Throne, produced with Kansai TV.

The French group will lead adaptations across its 23 territory footprint, with Yoshimoto and Kansai TV continuing to oversee distribution in all other markets.

First launched on Kansai TV in 2017, The Laughing Throne is a studio based improvisation battle that blends high energy comedy with the fun of a musical chairs style game.

A group of comedians circle a set of chairs; each assigned a specific comedy theme – from one liner jokes to physical gags. When the music stops, the contestant left without a seat must challenge one of the seated players on their assigned theme.

The companies previously worked on You Laugh You Lose and head of format acquisitions, Helen Greatorex, said the format’s “flexibility makes it ideal for local adaptations, while the competitive nature adds jeopardy and tension.”

Kazuhiko Ikeda, producer of The laughing Throne at Kansai TV, added: “This project began as a small late-night show on local television in Japan’s Kansai region, so it is still surprising to see it now heading to the global stage.”

Ikeda added that the format “blends the familiar game of musical chairs with a uniquely Japanese comedy style, where performers are challenged to come up with witty and imaginative responses to given prompts.”

The Laughing Throne joins Banijay Entertainment’s third-party line-up, which includes cult strategic reality format Werewolves from StudioCanal and DreamSpark, and superbrand Ninja Warrior from Tokyo Broadcasting System.

Banijay has also taken global format rights to Stop The Train, the adventure game from Unfold Production.

Created by French YouTuber Squeezie and director Théodore Bonnet, the series debuted on YouTube last year with a cast of French influencers.

The format is set entirely aboard a real, moving train and sees contestants compete in challenges across themed carriages, aiming to reach the locomotive and bring the journey to a halt.

James Townley, chief content officer of development at Banijay Entertainment, said the format “pushes creative boundaries, through its originality, competitive intensity and distinctive location-led design.” The deal was brokered by Greatorex.