Wednesday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Meghan makes MasterChef Australia appearance

Banijay in Australia has snagged Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as a guest judge on its local version of MasterChef.

The Duchess, who is currently touring the country, has worked with home cooks on MasterChef Australia alongside regular judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli. 

The format airs on Network Ten and is into its 18th season in Australia.

Bomanbridge strikes US, European deals 

Canada’s CBC and US network EarthxTV are among buyers of shows from Singapore-based Bomanbridge Media.

EarthxTV has acquired a 45-hour package to launch alongside Earth Day later this month, with shows such as Valley of the Bears and Natures Calendar.

CBC has picked up The Climate Restorers, while fellow Canadian the Knowledge Channel has has added Greenland among a five-title deal.

Among a slew of other deals, Italy’s Rai5 has picked up a 10-hour wildlife package and RTVE has acquired shows including Babies – A Wild Welcome in Spain.

BBC Select buys Woodcut & Sphere docuseries

Indie prodco Woodcut Media and distributor Sphere Abacus have landed a second season of history docuseries Queens that Changed the World with BBC Select attached.

Sphere Abacus has also concluded sales with BBC Studios America, SBS Australia, Sky Germany and Czech Television.

The show is in production and explores six formidable historical female rulers, delving into the lives of Maria Theresa, Mary Queen of Scots, Marie Antoinette, Rani of Jhansi, Agrippina the Younger, and Queen Charlotte.

Series producer is Hayley Rhodes, and executive producers are Kate Beal and Angie Cox. The series is produced by Woodcut Media and distributed worldwide by Sphere Abacus.