Thursday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

TV2 in Denmark lands first 100 Knives adaptation

Denmark’s TV2 has ordered the first international adaptation of culinary format 100 Knives.

The show is being produced by Bnijay Nordic’s Metronome and follows the format’s debut commission for Mastiff Sweden from TV4. The Danish adaptation will premiere this autumn on TV2.

The format, which has been co-developed with Bunim/Murray Productions and Smart Dog Media, sees 100 chefs competing in brigades through escalating challenges that test skill and leadership.

Chefs leave the competition on each episode as brigades are reshaped, tightening the kitchen until only the strongest remain.

Netflix opens VFX unit in India

Netflix has expanded its presence in India with the opening of visual effects facility Eyeline Studios in Hyderabad.

The facility spans 32,000 sq ft and will focus on advanced visual effects, virtual production, and next-generation production technology. It marks the fifth global location for Eyeline, joining its studios in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seoul and London.

Eyeline Studios is the Netflix-owned VFX facility with credits including A House Of Dynamite, Happy Gilmore 2 and fantasy series Wednesday. Netflix acquired Scanline VFX in 2022 and merged it with Eyeline last October under one brand.

Disney links with Ant & Dec on YouTube formats

Ant & Dec’s nascent digital brand Belta Box has partnered with The Walt Disney Company on a pair of talent-led formats.

Belta Box, which launched in January and is the vehicle used by the duo’s production company Mitre Studios to house digital formats as well as classic Ant & Dec moments, will now welcome projects Disney Vs… 

In Disney Vs Friend Like Me, Made In Chelsea and I’m A Celeb star Sam Thompson will test fans’ knowledge in Disney-themed challenges to win prizes. Similarly, Scarlett Mofatt, will challenge fans at the Disney Store in The Line King for the chance to win the contents of their basket.

The two Mitre-produced series, which will also sit on Disney UK’s YouTube channel, were commissioned by Disney YouTube. It is understood that there are further projects in the works. Read more

Rakuten launches Madrid Live event

Rakuten TV Enterprise is launching a new European event series that aims to bring together senior leaders from across the Connected TV (CTV) and streaming industry.

Live will be held in Madrid, Spain on 17 March and features more than 150 attendees, with keynotes and panel sessions on offer. The aim is to replicate the Madrid event in London, Munich and Milan to form a European circuit.