Max Unveils Unscripted originals In Spain
Naked Attraction, Naked and Afraid and a revamped Peking Express will make up the first tranche of unscripted Max originals in Spain. The rebranded Warner Bros. Discovery streamer will launch in Spain in the spring replete with the trio of series. Peking Express has aired for multiple seasons in Spain over the past decade but not for a little while, and has been revamped for Max, with seven combined couples of famous and anonymous people who will have a backpack as their only luggage and will compete against each other in the race of their lives. Produced by Fremantle, dating show Naked Attraction showcases six singletons and their totally naked bodies inside colorful booths where details of their physiques are revealed little by little, while Naked and Afraid is a survival contest. Laura Carafoli, SVP TV Networks & Digital Local Production Italy & Iberia, said the Spain team will also “continue to produce quality scripted projects and we will enhance the unscripted offering by adding premium documentaries and entertainment shows appealing to a wider audience.” HBO Max Spain shows include the likes of drama series 30 Coins. Max will launch in 22 European countries in spring 2024 and France and Belgium later next year.
Viaplay Signs Netherlands Boss
Viaplay has snapped up a head honcho to oversee The Netherlands. Having removed itself from a number of territories since a dramatic restructure and staff cull last year, Roger Lodewick will become SVP and CEO Viaplay Netherlands, holding commercial and operational responsibility in the territory. He joins from ESL FACEIT Group, which calls itself the world’s largest esports and gaming festival company. Lodewick will report to Chief Sports & Business Development Officer Peter Nørrelund. Viaplay has dramatically changed course on strategy since the swift departure of its CEO amidst a tricky financial situation but has stated its intention to continue operating in The Netherlands. It recently sold its UK business back to Premier Sports and was handed an equity injection as it battles the economic downturn.
Beyond Buys Back Production Arm From Banijay
Australia’s Beyond Productions is back in the hands of founder Mikael Borglund. Banijay had acquired the production and distribution arm of the Mythbusters firm in December 2022 for A$47M ($28.3M) but a joint statement last night confirmed Borglund’s personal holding, BYI Holdings, had bought back the production wing. Banijay will retain the Beyond Rights catalog it adopted upon the completion of the acquisition. The pair has also agreed to a five-year first-look distribution deal for Beyond’s future productions. In December, we revealed Beyond Productions had laid off around 24 staff in the U.S. and Australia, while the UK division closed several weeks prior.