Banijay International’s Honey, Pack the Bags! to debut in China

Louise Duffy ©RapidTVNews | 14-06-2012


Banijay International’s Honey, Pack the Bags! has been licenced to Shen Zhen Satellite TV in China.
An initial 12 x 60-minute episodes will be produced by Idea Asia Media in co-production with the broadcaster. The format was created by Banijay Group company Air Productions, for primary broadcaster France 2.
Honey, Pack the Bags! will launch in China this month with the potential to extend to at least 24 x 60-minute episodes in weekly primetime.
Karoline Spodsberg, MD of Banijay International, said: “I am thrilled to see another Banijay International format travelling to China. China is displaying a very strong appetite for unscripted formats right now so it’s important that we are front and centre to provide the wide range of clients in the region with what they want. Gaining a foothold in China also gives a strong entry to Asia in general which as an emerging format market is a crucial focus for us going forward.”
Nan HU, MD of Idea Asia Media, said: “We can’t wait to get Honey, Pack the Bags! on air. Our viewers want fun, high energy entertainment and we think it will deliver not only that, but also interesting trivia and amazing travel experiences.”
The concept of Honey, Pack the Bags! was created by French television personality Nagui, who is also the show’s host on primary broadcaster France 2. Each episode sees three audience members do battle in a series of crazy challenges and general knowledge questions, in order to earn the points they need to pack their bags and win the holiday of a lifetime. Honey, Pack the Bags! owes its popularity to its unique blend of shiny floor entertainment and traditional game show formats.
Honey, Pack the Bags! was also recently sold to Novy TV in Ukraine where the first season is currently airing and performing very well against strong competition in a prime time slot.
The license is the latest in a run of sales to China for Banijay International, following deals for entertainment format Super Star Ding Dong and dating show Date My Car