Banijay strikes UK prodco development deal

Banijay International has signed a first-look development deal with UK producer Lambent Productions.

Lambent, currently in production on Channel 5’s landmark series Special Needs Hotel, will work with Banijay on its development slate, with Banijay Group’s sales arm providing international market intelligence and funding.

Banijay will in return have first-look on distribution of all Lambent programming.

“With our production and development slate across factual and specialist factual continuing to grow and our first major commission for a US network on the horizon, we’re excited to take Lambent to the next level through this partnership with Banijay International,” said Lambent’s managing director Ollie Tait, who runs the indie with Emma Wakefield.

“We look forward very much to working with the team at Banijay to develop our international focus”.

Banijay International MD Emmanuelle Namiech said Lambent’s human interest-focused programming “fits extremely well” with the distributor’s “growing content portfolio of factual and factual entertainment programming”.

Besides the 3x60mins doc series Special Needs Hotel, Lambent is behind shows such as Kids Behind Bars (BBC Three, BBC One) and Out of Jail and On the Streets (BBC One).

Banijay International’s VP, sales and acquisitions Jimmy Humphrey brokered the deal.

Banijay is currently in negotiations about a merger with Zodiak Media that would see the former gaining a majority shareholding in an enlarged content group.