MIPCOM 2019: Bear Grylls launches new production house with Banijay
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Editor
| 14 October 2019

In a move that company says makes the content producer and distributor the premier home of adventure programming worldwide, Banijay Group has launched a new production label, The Natural Studios, from Bear Grylls and Delbert Shoopman.

Grylls and Shoopman will act as co-CEOs for The Natural Studios which will be backed and funded by Banijay Group which will serve as production and distribution partner. The strategy will be for the pair to build the business into the ‘ultimate home of adventure', where they will develop original IP which they say will have with mass global appeal and nurture the next generation of TV stars worldwide.

Collectively, Grylls and Shoopman’s shows have been watched by over 2 billion people worldwide, with an aggregated audience of 120 million for Running Wild (US). And most recently, 3.6 billion online impressions were secured when Grylls embarked on an adventure with Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The Natural Studios’ current slate of shows includes Emmy-nominated Hostile Planet (Nat Geo), Eco-Challenge (Amazon), Running Wild with Bear Grylls (Nat Geo), Emmy-nominated You Vs Wild (Netflix) and BAFTA-winning series, The Island (C4).

Grylls and Shoopman will have direct access to Banijay Group’s global production and distribution network, and will maintain full strategic control with the view to building an international production powerhouse responsible for serving traditional and digital platforms worldwide with both non-scripted and scripted content.

“It has been such a journey for Delbert and I to get to the stage where we can build out our adventure shows under our own Studio,” Bear Grylls remarked. “We stand on the shoulders of many giants. The ACF Investment Bank team have been incredible guides through the process - at its heart this is about building the ultimate home of adventure programming worldwide. The Natural Studios will be providing a home for the best adventure talent to help them create shows with us that inspire and move people to go for it in their lives and to never give up.”

Added Banijay Group CEO Marco Bassetti: “In a crowded marketplace, with many new players, only strong talents can cut through and as the face of adventure globally, Bear does just this. Both he and Del bring an incredibly strong portfolio and track record in this space and fit harmoniously with our existing catalogue of world-class adventure entertainment brands. Further bolstering our strong expertise in the adventure field, and instantly building our audiences worldwide, The Natural Studios was the perfect fit for us and supports our organic growth strategy internationally. Already open for business, we are confident the new label has a strong path ahead and we look forward to collaborating on building an even bigger following for their brands across the globe.”