Banijay Rights Signs Scripted Package Deal with CANAL+ Group in France

Banijay Rights, the leading distribution arm of Banijay Group, today announces it has signed a comprehensive package deal for its high-end, blockbuster dramas with CANAL Group, the major French audiovisual media group, for its channel POLAR . The complete deal, including relicenses, will give POLAR subscribers access to over 85 hours of Banijay Rights' critically acclaimed scripted shows and TV movies.

The agreement between Banijay Rights and CANAL Group covers a full slate of titles with the acquisition of popular new dramas: Wisting, Public Enemy, Rebecka Martinsson and newly launched Belgian drama, GR5: Into the Wilderness.

GR5: Into the Wilderness(8 x 45'), is a psychological thriller new to the Banijay Rights catalogue. Launched in spring to the international market, the drama is co-produced by Zodiak Belgium and Red Balloon for VRT and ZDF Neo. Shot entirely on location, this layered, character-driven series takes viewers through the dark woods and the everchanging landscapes of the Alps in search of the truth as to what happened to a missing girl. Everybody is a suspect. Directed by Jan Matthys (Quiz me Quick, In Vlaamse Velden, The Last Kingdom), GR5: Into the Wilderness, is set to premiere later this year on POLAR , the CANAL Group channel dedicated to drama thrillers.

Following its success in major territories, such as the UK, US and Spain, Norwegian crime drama, Wisting (10 x 45'), is included in the CANAL Group acquisition. Starring Sven Nordin and Carrie-Anne Moss, this popular series follows homicide detective William Wisting as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer living among them. Based on best-selling books by J rn Lier Horst, Wisting is produced by Cinenord and Good Company Films, in co-production with Viaplay, Degeto Film,TV3 Norway and Ripple World Pictures.

Also secured in the deal are both seasons one and two of Yellow Bird's production for TV4 Sweden, Rebecka Martinsson; a riveting drama series based on the acclaimed author, sa Larsson's, best-selling crime novels. Set in the remote and spectacular landscape of northern Sweden, series one sees lawyer Rebecka Martinsson, leave behind a great career in Stockholm and return to her small hometown to investigate the murder of a close childhood friend. Rebecka is pulled into a thrilling hunt for the murderer who may kill again. As she homes in on the truth, Rebecka is forced to confront a traumatic past event which still haunts her and caused her to abandon the very place she lived as a child.

Winner of the hotly contested inaugural MIPDrama Screenings Buyers' Coup de Coeur' Award, and a primetime ratings hit for RTBF, Public Enemy, series one and two,have also been sold to CANAL Group. The Belgian crime thriller is a co-production between Entre Chien et Loup and Playtime Films for RTBF in Belgium. The series centres on the story of Guy B ranger, a dangerous child murderer at the end of his prison sentence. His release on parole to the custody of the monks at Vielsart Abbey leads to an outcry from the nearby small village and to the rest of the country.

The French linear premiere for series two of Rebecka Martinsson will be on POLAR later this year. Meanwhile, Wisting, along with season one of Rebecka Martinsson and Public Enemy, are currently available on the POLAR replay service, which is accessible via myCANAL.

Isabelle Queme, VP of Sales, Banijay Rights comments, We are sure that the range and depth of the titles acquired and re-licensed by CANAL Group will be well-received by their audience and will help to maintain the CANAL Group reputation as the go-to platform for high-end scripted content.

Jean-Marc Juramie, Senior EVP, Pay TV Content, CANAL Groupsays, We are thrilled at CANAL Group to offer the best of thriller series to POLAR subscribers who are eager to discover new stories and talents from all-over Europe.

LINK:	https://www.banijay.com/news/banijay-rights-signs-scripted-package-dea...
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