Banijay Asia to produce The Fifty reality show in India

MUMBAI: Banijay Asia is turning up the heat on Indian reality television. The production powerhouse will roll out the international hit The Fifty in India, marking the format’s fifth global adaptation and its most ambitious Asian outing yet.

Commissioned for JioHotstar and Colors TV, The Fifty launches on February 1, 2026. Originally created by French unscripted label B Prod, the format blends celebrity competition, strategy and social gameplay—wrapped in spectacle.

Set inside a sprawling Mahal, the show pits 50 reality television stars against one another under the watchful eye of a mysterious Game Master concealed behind a lion mask. Alliances are forged, loyalties are tested and eliminations are decided not by judges, but by the players themselves. The contestants compete collectively to grow a shared jackpot, adding an unusual layer of cooperation to an otherwise cut-throat contest.

The final twist is where The Fifty truly breaks form. The life-changing cash prize does not go to the winner on screen. Instead, it is awarded to one of the contestants’ registered followers, selected via the show’s app—turning audience engagement into a decisive part of the game.

Deepak Dhar, founder and group chief executive at Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, said the format’s scale and originality made it a natural fit for India. “With scale, gameplay and a celebrity cast, this show combines drama and entertainment at every turn. Hugely unique, universal and adaptable, The Fifty is a natural fit for the Indian market and will keep both the audience and the players invested from start to finish. It’s sure to deliver a reality experience our audiences have never seen.”

The Indian commission builds on the format’s growing international momentum. Since debuting in France in 2022 as Les Cinquante, the series has steadily expanded across territories, clocking strong ratings and platform-leading performances.

Lucas Green, chief content officer, operations, at Banijay Entertainment, said India was a logical next step in the show’s global journey. “Since launching in France in 2022, The Fifty has proven its global strength, landing in three territories and delivering consistently strong performances across markets and platforms. Its scale, intensity and ability to engage audiences makes India a natural next step in the format’s international evolution.”

In France, the series airs on M6 and continues to build momentum, with season four delivering its highest-ever launch across commercial and youth audiences. In Poland, a local adaptation premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2025. In Germany, the format debuted at number one on Prime Video at launch. In the US, Telemundo commissioned a second season from EndemolShineBoomdog after the show emerged as the network’s most-watched programme among Hispanic audiences.

With its blend of celebrity power, strategic gameplay and direct audience participation, The Fifty arrives as India’s reality TV market grows more format-driven and globally aligned. For Banijay Asia, it is another statement of intent. For Indian viewers, the game—and the jackpot—just got a lot bigger.