Factual
Banijay Asia secures BBC Studios’ format rights in India
MUMBAI: The Deepak Dhar-headed Banijay Asia has been appointed as the exclusive production partner for BBC Studios’ formats in India, following BBC’s exit from local production in the market.
The multi-year agreement gives Banijay Asia exclusive rights to BBC Studios’ catalogue of scripted and unscripted formats, including The 1% Club, Dancing with the Stars, The Office and Ghosts.
Banijay Asia has established itself as a leading format adaptor in India, having successfully produced local versions of global hits like MasterChef, Big Brother, and more recently, The Night Manager and Call My Agent: Bollywood.
The deal strengthens Banijay Asia’s format portfolio as BBC Studios shifts its India strategy from direct production to licensing partnerships.
And it brings Dhar closer to his long cherished dream and vision of making Banijay the largest format licensing and production studio in India.
DUBLIN: Ireland is betting big on reality television. In a move that has Hollywood scouts scrambling for their passports, Dublin has unveiled Europe’s first tax credit dedicated solely to unscripted programming—think The Traitors rather than Game of Thrones.
The scheme offers producers a juicy 20 per cent rebate on qualifying expenditure, capped at €15 million ($17.5 million) per project. It’s a cultural credit with strings attached: programmes must pass a test proving they genuinely promote Irish and European culture. No word yet on whether Love Island derivatives need apply.
Ireland tánaiste and minister for finance Simon Harris says the incentive will cement Ireland’s reputation as a “centre of excellence” for audiovisual production. His colleague, minister for culture, communications and sport Patrick O’Donovan, insists Ireland has “the talent, creativity and production expertise to lead” in unscripted television. Bold claims for a nation that has spent decades exporting scripted drama.
The timing is canny. Unscripted production costs have soared globally, making Ireland’s existing infrastructure—and now its tax breaks—increasingly attractive. Fox Entertainment Studios already churns out shows like Beat Shazam and The Floor from Irish studios. Whether these American productions will pass the cultural test remains to be seen.
Producers must secure an interim cultural certificate before filming begins, allowing them to claim credits during production rather than waiting until wrap. A final certificate follows completion. The European Commission has blessed the scheme through December 2028.
Minimum thresholds apply: productions must cost at least €250,000, with eligible expenditure above €125,000. Only one season per project can claim relief in any 12-month period, though producers can juggle multiple projects.
Britain, take note. The UK industry has clamoured for similar support for 18 months, but Westminster has dithered. India’s ministry of information and broadcasting pay heed. Its incentive scheme for co-productions excludes unscripted television. To what end, no one knows! Ireland, meanwhile, is already rolling out the red carpet—or should that be green?
The message from Dublin is clear: when it comes to backing reality TV, Ireland isn’t messing about. Lights, camera, tax action.
