BBC Studios has confirmed that it is discontinuing its local production activities in India and has struck an exclusive multi-year partnership with Banijay Asia to adapt its formats for the Indian market.
The deal gives Banijay Asia exclusive rights to BBC Studios’ unscripted and scripted format catalog in India. The agreement takes effect after BBC Studios completes its current production commitments in the region.
Once a prominent player with hits like local adaptations of “Criminal Justice” and “The Office,” BBC Studios had positioned itself as a bridge between British storytelling and Indian sensibilities.
Banijay Asia, a joint venture between Banijay Entertainment and its founder-CEO Deepak Dhar, will leverage its local expertise to give BBC’s formats an Indian flavor for broadcasters and streaming platforms. The company has already demonstrated success in format adaptations, having brought shows like “Masterchef,” “Big Brother,” and “Temptation Island” to Indian audiences.
BBC Studios’ format library includes global hits like “The 1% Club,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Weakest Link,” and “Great Bake Off,” along with scripted properties such as “The Office” and “Ghosts.”
“Banijay Asia is an outstanding producer with the creativity, vision and local expertise to bring BBC Studios’ rich catalog of formats to life for the Indian market,” said Jacob DeBoer, executive VP Global Entertainment for BBC Studios. He also acknowledged the legacy of BBC Studios’ Mumbai team, noting their contributions since launching “Jhalak Dikhla Ja” in 2006.
For Banijay Asia, which is also known for adaptations like “The Night Manager” and “Call My Agent: Bollywood,” this partnership strengthens its position in the Indian content market. “This strategic collaboration aligns with our vision of delivering high-quality, impactful content that resonates across platforms,” said Dhar.
Matt Forde, MD Global Entertainment for BBC Studios, added: “Our strategy is to deliver BBC Studios’ hit entertainment shows to audiences around the world, working with the best in the business to engage audiences locally. Banijay Asia shares our commitment to its craft and to powerful storytelling, with a proven track record in adapting hit shows that really breakthrough in India. We can’t wait to see what they will do with our world-leading IP.”
