TBS and Banijay Rights expand Ninja Warrior partnership. October 9, 2026 Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment group Banijay Entertainment, have today concluded an agreement for international sales of finished programmes of Ninja Warrior, the legendary sportainment franchise. The deal builds on the strategic format licensing agreement signed between TBS and Banijay Entertainment in October 2025, bringing the format into the number one global producer and distributor's elite portfolio of superbrands. Since then, local versions of Ninja Warrior have returned in Israel and Australia, and the format will join Banijay Entertainment's catalogue at MIPCOM next week. Simon Cox, EVP Content & Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, who brokered the deal, said: "After taking on the format rights last year, it felt only right to go the whole course. Banijay Entertainment SAS is thrilled to now add the finished tape rights of Ninja Warrior to the Banijay Rights catalogue. "One of the most iconic and enduring entertainment brands in the world, few shows combine excitement, heart and sheer spectacle in quite the same way, and we're looking forward to bringing all the unforgettable triumphs, near misses and jaw-dropping moments that have made Ninja Warrior a global phenomenon to even more audiences around the world." Takumi Watanabe, Director, Global Sales Development, TBS, said: "Less than a year after licensing the format distribution rights for Ninja Warrior to Banijay Entertainment, the show has already returned to two countries. Next year marks the 30th anniversary of SASUKE, the original Japanese show on which Ninja Warrior is based. Together with Banijay Rights, we look forward to bringing the format to more countries, building on its global success, and ensuring it continues to delight audiences around the world for years to come." Interest in the franchise continues to grow as SASUKE has inspired an obstacle race in modern pentathlon, which will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Together with Banijay Entertainment, the world's largest independent production and distribution business, TBS aims to accelerate the global expansion of Ninja Warrior. A global phenomenon since its launch, Ninja Warrior has entertained audiences worldwide with its nail-biting physical challenges, powerful athleticism, and high-stakes competition. The format showcases extraordinary strength, speed, agility, and mental toughness, as everyday competitors push their limits on fiercely demanding obstacle courses. The format joins Banijay Entertainment's MIPCOM 2026 slate alongside new original titles, 100 Knives, Date Knight, Last One Standing and Million Dollar Idea; superbrands The Traitors and MasterChef, and upcoming streamer launches Beat Luke Littler, Netflix, Will You Marry Me?, Simon Says, The Mob, and Monopoly.

First-look pictures released for upcoming original BBC drama series Counsels. October 7, 2026 A suite of first-look pictures has been released for the new, high stakes, BBC legal drama Counsels. Co-created by Scottish writers Bryan Elsley (The Crow Road, Skins) and Gillian McCormack (BBC Writers Drama Room graduate). The eight-part series is made by Balloon Entertainment (Champion, Clique, Newark Newark) in association with Banijay Rights and in co-production with ZDFneo is coming to BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Scotland in early 2027. Counsels follows the lives of a group of twentysomething lawyers in Glasgow in the crucial moment when, a few years out of university, their careers finally become serious. Working across the legal landscape, whether as public prosecutors, slick representatives of glossier law firms or the shabby and good-hearted last resort of those with nothing left to lose, each one of them is out to win. They are colleagues jostling for promotion, adversaries professionally and personally and lovers trying to hold onto one another as ambitions accelerate. And now's the time things are going to catch fire. The young lawyers - Jamie, Bav, Nadine, Alasdair, Katie and Karina - are played by an ensemble cast of Brandon Grace (My Lady Jane, Hamlet Hail to the Thief), Ro Kumar (Traces S2, Accidental Death of an Anarchist), Eilidh Park (Wind of Change), George Prentice (The Pendragon Cycle), Alyth Ross (Last Light, Dirty Angels) and Rebecca Bell (Outlander: Blood of My Blood). Together, the characters navigate their sometimes complex and messy lives, whilst exploring the challenging yet thrilling world of their profession. The up-and-coming cast are joined by a brilliant range of established talent including: Michelle Gomez (Doom Patrol, The Flight Attendant), Derek Riddell (Happy Valley, Industry), Laura Haddock (What It Feels Like For A Girl, The Recruit), Daniela Nardini (This Life, Sunset Song), Michael Nardone (Traces, The Night Manager), Sally Howitt (Dinosaur, River City), Stuart Bowman (Department Q, Only Child), Neshla Caplan (The Rig, Rebus), Stephen Purdon (River City, Sweet Sixteen) and introducing Mhairi Black, in her acting debut. Counsels (8x60') was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Scotland. It is co-created, written and executive produced by Bryan Elsley and Gillian McCormack, with further episodes written by Maryam Hamidi (Vigil) and Jingan Young (Red Eye). The Executive Producers are Gaynor Holmes for BBC Drama, Gavin Smith for BBC Scotland and Daniel Donnelly and Dave Evans for Balloon. Stephanie Fyfe is the Commissiong Executive for BBC. The Producer is Brian Kaczynski (Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, Mayflies) and the Directors are Lynsey Miller (Surface, The Turkish Detective) and Siri Rødnes (Shetland, River City). The series will be distributed by Balloon Entertainment's international partner Banijay Rights and is a coproduction with ZDFneo. Katharina Kremling is the Commissioning Editor for ZDFneo. Counsels is supported by Screen Scotland. Counsels is part of a growing list of BBC dramas from Scotland, including Vigil, The Young Team, Sutherland, Shetland and Rebus.

TV & film07.10.26 Banijay's Levy to lead Fremantle Americas & Australia. Fremantle has announced the appointment of Sharon Levy as Chief Executive Officer, Fremantle Americas & Australia - effective mid-January 2027. Reporting directly to Jennifer Mullin, Fremantle Group CEO, Sharon Levy will assume responsibility for the company's production operations across the United States, Mexico, and Australia and will also join Fremantle's Global Leadership Team. Based in Fremantle's Los Angeles offices, Levy will be responsible for driving strategic growth and overseeing all aspects of Fremantle's operations across the regions, including its production labels, customer relationships, talent partnerships, creative development, production slate, and extensive portfolio of intellectual property. Levy joins Fremantle from Banijay, where she served as Chief Executive Officer of Endemol Shine North America (ESNA). The Peabody Award recipient and Emmy-nominated producer was named among The Hollywood Reporter's "Most Powerful Producers in Unscripted TV." During her tenure, Levy directed an expansive portfolio of top-rated US franchises, including MasterChef and LEGO Masters, as well as recent high-profile launches such as Deal or No Deal Island, The Summit, and the record-breaking Fear Factor: House of Fear. On the scripted side, she expanded the studio's prestige slate through series like the four-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Ripley and international co-productions like HBO Max's Like Water for Chocolate. Levy also spearheaded Banijay Launch - an international accelerator program supporting creators across 30+ territories worldwide. Prior to Endemol Shine North America, Levy served as Executive Vice President, Original Series at Spike TV, where she led the acquisition, development and production of a range of successful scripted, unscripted and documentary programming, including Ink Master, Bar Rescue, Auction Hunters and Deadliest Warrior. Jennifer Mullin, Group CEO, Fremantle, said: "Sharon is an exceptional executive with a proven ability to build businesses, develop talent and deliver outstanding content. I am thrilled to welcome her to Fremantle and our Global Leadership Team. Her experience, leadership and entrepreneurial mindset make her the ideal person to lead our businesses across the Americas and Australia as we continue to accelerate our growth ambitions. I look forward to working closely with her during this exciting time for Fremantle."