Banijay International wins Trust acro the Middle East

2012-11-14 11:00:00 - Banijay International wins Trust across the Middle East Paris/London Banijay International's nerve-jangling, tension filled game show format Trust, launched at MIPCOM, is to be produced for broadcasters in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt following a multi-territory licence deal. I-deasTV Productions will produce versions in three different Arabic dialects, each of which will be presented by a local host who will ask dedicated local questions.

Filmed in Beirut and launching in December 2012 with an initial order of 20 x 60 minute episodes per country, Trust which will have a different name in each dialect - will air in weekly prime time slots on Future TV in Lebanon; Rotana Khaligia in Saudi Arabia and on Rotana Egypt in Egypt.

Owner and CEO at I-deas TV Productions, Abdel Fatah Elmasry comments, This is the first time a format has been produced in three different Arabic dialects and we are very excited by the challenge. Whilst a pan-regional option is the easy route, creating innovative formats which are completely local including the show's name and using a well-loved host and with prizes awarded in local currency - is extremely important for broadcasters right now. Viewers want to feel that they are part of the game in their own country and Trust enables us to deliver a truly bespoke entertainment experience.

Sebastian Burkhardt, Head of Sales, Banijay International, who brokered the deal, adds, The Middle East is steadily becoming a key region for format acquisition and this landmark deal reflects not only local buyers' appetite for strong, proven international formats but also Banijay International's wide reach as a global distributor.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Beirut, I-deasTV Productions is a television and media production company that develops and produces non-scripted programming, scripted dramas, animation, reality TV, game shows and special events. The company is proud of its distinctive culture, highly organised infra-structure and cutting edge concepts.

Rotana Khaligia is dedicated to offering intelligent entertainment options to audiences in Saudi Arabia and around the Gulf, with a varied schedule of programming selected to capture the unique identity of the region while also catering to a diverse audience.

A new addition to the Rotana network, Rotana Masriya is aimed at the Egyptian youth market, which it targets with locally-produced scripted and unscripted programming as well as Egyptian movies.

Future TV was founded in 1993 by Rafik Hariri, a former Prime Minister of Lebanon, to cater to Lebanese families. The publically-listed channel is the home of formats such as Pop Idol, Top Model and The Weakest Link.

Created by Banijay Group company Air Productions and Banijay Creative Factory and represented globally by Banijay International, Trust asks What is the price of your betrayal? as two complete strangers must work together to correctly answer trivia questions. The more they get right, the more cash they amass... But there is no way of sharing this prize and at some point in the game, during a nerve-wracking face-to-face round, the partners are transformed into opponents and one of the two will double-cross the other, taking the winnings to date and leaving their former ally with nothing!

On the unique set of Trust moving armchairs provide a nail-biting journey for the highly strung contestants during a face-to-face leading them to opposite ends of the set where their families are waiting to advise them, and ramp up in the tension as during the return trip they both have the opportunity to hit their buzzer in the ultimate act of betrayal. And, as the prize total increases the more likely it is that their partner will double cross themit's all a matter of Trust.

Trust has previously been licensed to ATV in Turkey and France 2.

LINK:	http://www.banijay.com/en/news/27-banijay_international_wins_trust_acr...
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