France’s W9 orders new Banijay game show format ‘Les Cinquante’

Les Cinquante

French network W9 has commissioned a new game show format, Les Cinquante, from Banijay Productions France.

The format features a Machiavellian game master, the Lion, who, away from prying eyes, in his castle inhabited by dogs, foxes and rabbits, challenges 50 reality TV stars to a relentless and unpredictable game that only he can control.

A large cash prize is up for grabs, but the winning contestant won’t take home the money. They are facing each other, not for themselves, but to win for one of the viewers who can download the show’s app to join their favourite’s fan club and potentially win the prize of €50,000 ($49,995).  When the games begin, anything can happen as the fate of each loser is put in the hands of the winner at a high-tension voting ceremony.

Banijay Productions France is also behind titles such as Party Workers, A Season at The Zoo and Good Luck Guys.

James Townley, global head of content development at Banijay, said that Les Cinquante is “unpredictable, interactive, and wildly entertaining.” He added: “France remains an important market when it comes to creativity and creating new formats. This year we have already seen the strength of French IP with Chaucon Son Tour launching in Spain.”