"NCIS: SYDNEY" SETS SAIL AS THE #1 NEW SERIES WITH A SUCCESSFUL CROSS-CONTINENT LAUNCH

A New Episode of NCIS: SYDNEY Airs Tonight at 8:00 PM, ET/PT on CBS

The first international expansion of the globally popular NCIS franchise launched successfully across multiple territories and Paramount Global platforms. Originally developed for Network 10 and Paramount+ in Australia, NCIS: SYDNEY debuted on Paramount+ Australia on Nov. 10, followed by the Nov. 14 premiere on the CBS Television Network in the U.S. and on Global in Canada. The series premiere reached viewership highs on both linear and streaming.

• In Australia, NCIS: SYDNEY is officially the most-watched local series since the launch of Paramount+ in Australia.

• In the U.S., the premiere episode is approaching 10 million viewers across CBS and Paramount+, while setting milestones as the #1 new show of the television season and the #1 most-streamed CBS Network series premiere ever on Paramount+* (based on 3-day streaming AMA on Paramount+ O&O).

  • On Tuesday, Nov. 14, the premiere episode was the #1 show of the night in viewers (5.6m L+SD) and soared to 7.25 million viewers in most current data.

  • CBS re-aired the premiere on Saturday, Nov. 18, bringing the cumulative viewership of the first episode to 9.65 million viewers and growing. (L+5 day viewership on CBS and 6-day streaming on Paramount+).

• In Canada, airing on Global, NCIS: SYDNEY is the #1 scripted series in the country this season, and #3 series overall.** (In English-speaking Canada).

“We are absolutely delighted that audiences locally and internationally have embraced NCIS: SYDNEY with its stellar cast and compelling storytelling,” said Beverley McGarvey, executive vice president and chief content officer and head of Paramount+ Australia. “We are so appreciative of the opportunity to utilize the world-class NCIS brand to tell quintessentially Australian stories and it has been so productive to work closely with our colleagues at CBS and Paramount+.” 

“These viewer numbers for NCIS: SYDNEY further demonstrate the global strength and popularity of the NCIS franchise,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, “and highlight how strong characters and storytelling continue to resonate with the CBS audience.” 

New episodes of NCIS: SYDNEY drop weekly on Fridays on Paramount+ Australia, and air Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+*** in the U.S., and on Global and STACKTV in Canada. Additional Paramount+ international markets to follow at a later date.

NCIS: SYDNEY is the first international edition and fifth series from the popular NCIS franchise. Filmed in one of the world’s most breathtaking harbour cities, the series follows the high-octane adventures of a brilliant and eclectic team of U.S. NCIS agents and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) grafted into a multi-national taskforce to keep naval crimes in check in the most contested patch of ocean on the planet. The series stars Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance, Sean Sagar, Tuuli Narkle, Mavournee Hazel and William McInnes.

NCIS: SYDNEY is produced by Endemol Shine Australia for CBS Studios and Paramount Australia and distributed outside Australia by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The series was created by Morgan O’Neill, who also serves as executive producer alongside Endemol Shine Australia’s Sara Richardson and Sue Seeary.

Paramount Australia, Network 10, Paramount+, CBS Studios and CBS Television Network, and Paramount Global Content Distribution are divisions of Paramount Global.

Editor’s Note: *CBS series streaming viewership numbers are based on Paramount+ and CBS TVE (CBS.com/CBS app) and are available to watch on the Network and streamed live and on demand.

** Source: Numeris PPM Data, Total Canada, FL’23 STD (Sep 18 – Nov 14/23) confirmed to Nov 5, 1+ airings, Live + Same Day viewing, Ind 2+, AMA(000), CDN CONV COM ENG national networks, excludes sports and news.

***In the United States, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.

CBS Studios Press Contact:

Kristen Hall / Kristen.Hall@paramount.com

Yani Chang / yani.chang@viacomcbs.com

CBS Press Contact:

Julie Holland / julie.holland@viacomcbs.com

Paramount+ Australia Press Contact:

Anthony McCarthy / anmccart@networkten.com.au

Banijay Unveils Global Accelerator Program Banijay Launch to Support Emerging Women Unscripted Creators

Banijay Americas in partnership with Everywoman Studios commissions Geena Davis Institute to conduct the first-of-its-kind study on womens’ inclusion in the unscripted business.

Cannes, 17 October 2023: Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, today launches a brand-new global accelerator program, designed to exclusively support women creators with promising unscripted formats. Unveiled at a prestigious breakfast in Cannes for MIPCOM 2023, Banijay Launch is geared towards discovering and incubating untapped talent, to support the next generation of global franchise makers.

Initiated by Sharon Levy, Chief Executive Officer, Endemol Shine North America, and co-led by James Townley, Chief Creative Officer, Development at Banijay, Banijay Launch will provide a selected women mentorship by Banijay’s global collective of creatives to aid them in developing bold new formats from concept to pitch to sale, thereby supercharging the group’s burgeoning pipeline.

Conceived as an enterprise-level strategy to address gender inequity and fuel creativity, Banijay Launch will seek out undiscovered formats with international appeal, from an incredible pool of undiscovered women across the globe, providing a new opportunity for Banijay to further diversify both its talent and IP worldwide. 

Banijay Launch was inspired by the Propelle program, a female-focused accelerator initiative created and developed in 2020 by Everywoman Studios’ CEO, Abby Greensfelder. With Levy and Endemol Shine North America partnering for two consecutive years with Everywoman Studios and Realscreen on the program, the pair have established a long-standing working relationship. Greensfelder consulted on the creation of Banijay Launch and will join the judging panel for the initiative’s inaugural year.

To support the program, Banijay Americas has commissioned a first-of-its-kind study with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, in partnership with Everywoman Studios. The institute is the only global data-driven, non-profit that researches diversity, equity, and inclusion onscreen in media and entertainment to mitigate unconscious bias, while fostering inclusion, and systematically reducing negative stereotyping. The ground-breaking study will investigate women’s inclusion in creative leadership roles in unscripted production across four distinct territories: Brazil, the U.K. and U.S., and one EU territory to be determined.

Entries are now OPEN. Apply here!

How it works? Banijay will first select the top three to five finalists who will be mentored by a local creative (names disclosed in notes to editors) to develop their formats, with the aim of nurturing them to screen. The competition will culminate with a live pitch presentation before a judging panel led by Levy and Townley. Fellow judges include Marco Bassetti, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay; Pilar Blasco, Chief Executive Officer, Banijay Iberia; and Abby Greensfelder, Founder and CEO of Everywoman Studios. A winner will be crowned during London Screenings 2024. 

Sharon Levy, CEO, Endemol Shine North America comments: “As a group, Banijay is constantly exploring new ways to support the broader content community, diversify its pipeline and ultimately, sharpen its creative edge. With an undisputed track record of travelling IP, expansive cross-territory network of first-class producers, and industry-leading unscripted infrastructure led by Creative Networks, the business is primed to open its doors to yet-to-be-discovered creative minds. Through Banijay Launch, and the partnership with the Geena Davis Institute, we hope to welcome women creators who may be struggling to have their voices heard, setting a new narrative for the industry, and fostering the next generation of break-out unscripted formats.”

Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay comments: “We are proud at Banijay to have over 50% of our managerial positions globally filled by women. However, we recognise the landscape has not always supported this demographic of creators in breaking through. With Banijay Launch, we are vested in spearheading a raft of new unscripted format ideas, ideated by women, and in doing so, we hope to bring new voices and talent to the market, with the potential of creating the next Survivor, MasterChef, or Big Brother…”

The initiative will capitalise on the infrastructure and expertise of Creative Networks, Banijay’s central unscripted content department co-led by Townley and Lucas Green, Chief Content Officer, Operations.

For more information, check out our FAQs.

Notes to editors:

Below are the local Banijay Launch ambassadors, all with a passion for empowering women creators and getting great new ideas into the Banijay creative pipeline. They will work locally to mentor their respective candidates through development to screen:

·       Australia: Amelia Fisk, Endemol Shine Australia

·       Benelux: Annabelle Aaftink, SimpelZodiak

·       Brazil: Natasha Szaniecki, Endemol Shine Brasil

·       Denmark: Line Westi, Metronome

·       Finland: Vera Olsson, Endemol Shine Finland

·       France: Leslie Blumberg, Air Productions

·       Germany: Shona Fraser, Good Times

·       Iberia: Sonia Perez, Cuarzo Producciones

·       India: Mrinalini Jain, Banijay Asia

·       Israel: Lee Gaon, Endemol Shine Israel

·       Italy: Francesco Lauber, Banijay Italia

·       Mexico: Marie Leguizamo, Banijay Mexico and US Hispanic

·       Norway: Hege Hansen, Mastiff Norway

·       Sweden: Miranda Kroge, Mastiff Sweden

·       UK: Claire O’Donohoe, Remarkable, Initial, and ZnakTV

·       USA: Chachi Senior, Truly Original

For further enquiries please contact:

Kate Humphreys, Global Head of Communication @ Banijay

Email: k.humphreys@banijay.com

Tel: +44 7792 222769

About Banijay

Launched in 2008, media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, is home to over 130 production companies across 21 territories, a multi-genre catalogue boasting over 180,000 hours of original standout programming, and a complementary live entertainment business – Banijay Events.

Imagining and delivering high-quality, multi-genre IP that was born locally and travels globally, the business offers the best stories told the best way, and represents some of the biggest global brands in the market including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, MasterChef, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Mr Bean, Love Triangle, Hunted, The Summit, Black Mirror, Blow Up!, and Starstruck among others. 

Built on independence, creative freedom, collaborative entrepreneurialism, and commercial acumen, the company, operates under the direction of Chief Executive Officer, Marco Bassetti. It is under his leadership, the business has grown to reach €3.2bn in revenues and €472m in EBITDA for 2022. 

About Banijay Americas

Banijay Americas is a leading creator and producer of entertainment content, composed of production companies in the United States and across Latin America. A division of media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay, Banijay Americas includes subsidiary production companies across two continents – U.S.-based Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Authentic Entertainment, and Stephen David Entertainment; Mexico-based Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico and U.S. Hispanic; and Brazil-based Endemol Shine Brasil and A Fábrica. Additionally, the company is set to open Banijay Studios Brasil, a 750,000 square-foot studio facility in 2023. Together, Banijay Americas is home to more than 100 original series, including some of the biggest brands in television, and produces over 1,500 hours of original content per year.

About Everywoman Studios:

Everywoman Studios is a full-service media company, dedicated to women-fuelled content that can create positive cultural impact. Founded in 2019 by veteran producer, Abby Greensfelder – creator of global hits such as Say Yes to the Dress and The Last Alaskans, among others – Everywoman Studios currently has a range of non-fiction series and features in development and production across multiple networks and streamers. The company’s first feature documentary, LFG – which chronicles the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s fight for equal pay – premiered in 2021 at The Tribeca Film Festival before launching on HBO Max. The Emmy-nominated film is credited with helping the players achieve equal pay.

Greensfelder and Everywoman also founded “Propelle,” a content accelerator program for women producers and filmmakers. The first year’s winning project, Prisoner of the Prophet, is streaming now on Discovery+. For more information, please visit Everywoman Studios’ website.

About Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media:   

Founded in 2004 by Academy Award Winning Actor Geena Davis, the Institute is the only research-based organization working collaboratively within the entertainment industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion, and reduce negative stereotyping in global family entertainment and media. Visit seejane.org for more information.

The MasterChef Australia Family Is Growing.

Introducing A Smorgasbord Of Fresh Faces in 2024

Some news has been slow cooking in the MasterChef Australia kitchen, and now it’s time to lift the cloche on what’s in store for 2024.

Next year, the world of MasterChef begins a new era with a selection of homegrown heroes and international superstars completing the family. 

MasterChef Australia Season 16 will see Andy Allen carry on Jock Zonfrillo’s legacy alongside three new judges: MasterChef alumnus Poh Ling Yeow, food critic and journalist Sofia Levin, and multi–Michelin Star award-winning chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli. 

As both a judge and former winner of MasterChef Australia, Andy Allen is the success story that exemplifies what the nation’s favourite cooking show is all about. 

Andy said: “MasterChef Australia has been part of my life for over a decade. It gave me a pathway into the industry and led me to a career that I'm forever grateful for. After an extremely difficult year in 2023, and upon reflection, the decision to return to the series is not one I took lightly. 

“But there is something special in the MasterChef Australia Kitchen, and it feels right to come back to work with the amazing production team, and to play my role in seeing the contestants do as I have done. 2024 will be the start of a new chapter, and it will be surreal - yet brilliant - to share this moment with my fellow judges, Poh, Sofia and Jean-Christophe.”

As the much-loved runner-up of MasterChef Australia’s debut season, Poh Ling Yeow has been part of the MasterChef family from the start. 

Poh said: “Talk about a thrilling, full circle moment. MasterChef Australia is where my food story began, so this feels like coming home. A big part of me will always be standing on the other side with the contestants and I hope when they look to me, they see proof you don’t have to win to win.” 

A stalwart of the food reviewing scene for over a decade, Sofia Levin brings a keen critical eye to the kitchen. A driving force behind the #EatCuriously movement, Sofia encourages everyone to eat outside their comfort zone and embrace diverse cuisines and cultures.  

Sofia said: “The first season of MasterChef Australia aired the same year I started writing about food. By the time I graduated from journalism, I was sharing lesser-known food stories, while the show was exposing the nation to cuisines and cultures they had never considered before. Becoming a judge on MasterChef feels like two parallel paths converging, and I am giddy with excitement at the people I get to stand beside.”

Bringing the international star power is lauded French chef, author, and restaurateur, Jean-Christophe Novelli. The 5/5 AA Rosette awarded, multi–Michelin Star winner owns one of the world’s top cookery schools and knows how to get the best out of aspiring chefs. 

Jean-Christophe said: “Fostering culinary talent is something I have cared about for many years, and it is a passion I am excited to share in the MasterChef Kitchen. Australian cuisine has a remarkable reputation on the world stage, and it will be a great privilege to meet and mentor the country’s top home cooks on their journeys to greatness.”

MasterChef Australia will continue to be a magnet for the world’s biggest culinary icons in 2024, welcoming an array of guest chefs from across the globe.

In some sweet news, Dessert Masters has already been confirmed for a second season ahead of its November debut. The icing on the cake? Confirmation that the series will again be helmed by iconic judge, Melissa Leong, and pastry prodigy, Amaury Guichon.

Melissa said: “Over the past four years, MasterChef Australia has infused my life with something truly magical. It has provided me with life-changing experiences that have given me the courage to continue to put myself outside of my comfort zone. 

“It is with great enthusiasm and warmth that I welcome new faces Sofia, Poh, and Jean-Christophe, to this very special family, I know they will make it theirs in their own special way, as we did. 

“The great honour of growing the MasterChef Australia family with the introduction of Dessert Masters is not lost on me. I relish the sweet opportunity to nurture this special series alongside Amaury.”

Amaury said: “I had an incredible time filming Dessert Masters in Australia, and I can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with this season and savour every moment the same way I did. It is a great honour for me to be able to return for season two alongside Melissa Leong to serve up a whole new set of sweet challenges!”

Just like a good dish, the MasterChef Australia universe is only as strong as the ingredients that go into it; with a line-up like this, the franchise is on track for a perfect scorecard in 2024.

MasterChef Australia is produced by Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company). Format created by Franc Roddam and represented internationally by Banijay Rights.

A Big Deal At 6.

Deal Or No Deal Returns in 2024, Hosted By Grant Denyer

Deal or No Deal, the exhilarating hit game show where contestants must beat The Banker to win a huge cash prize, is making a triumphant return to our screens on 10 and 10 Play in 2024.

The ultimate contest of nerve, luck and pure gut instinct will be fronted by one of Australia’s most beloved TV presenters, Gold Logie winner Grant Denyer.

Grant said: “We’re back baby! I’m incredibly excited to be bringing this global mega-format back to Aussie screens. It’s an absolute gem of a show with an enormous and much-deserved worldwide following.” 

Deal or No Deal is one of television’s most successful formats ever, with 325 productions worldwide. 

Every episode is a high-pressure, high-stakes game of risk versus reward in which contestants face a series of potentially life-altering decisions. 

With an array of sealed briefcases filled with varying amounts of cash, contestants must decide whether or not to accept an offer from the mysterious Banker in exchange for what might be contained in their chosen briefcase.  

Grant added: “Deal or No Deal is steeped in suspense and loaded with risk at every turn, but there’s always the chance of massive riches for contestants who can hold their nerve.  Suspense, risk and big money - those are the key ingredients that will ensure everyone is on the edge of their couch.”

Deal or No Deal will form part of a dynamic new early evening lineup, kicking off with Neighbours at 4.00pm Monday – Thursdays, followed by The Bold and the Beautiful at 4.30pm. 

10 News First will return to a one-hour bulletin, delivering comprehensive news coverage from 5.00pm. Deal or No Deal will then hit screens at 6.00pm followed by The Project at 6.30pm.

For the full story on everything that’s happened during the day, Network 10 promises a brand-new, late-night news offering. You can catch 10 at 10: The Late News from 10.00pm on 10 Play, and on 10 from 10.30pm.  

This is TV’s biggest deal. 

Which briefcase will you be choosing? We choose 10.

Deal or No Deal is a Banijay Group format produced by Endemol Shine Australia for Network 10. We’re on the search for contestants to make a deal so if you have what it takes apply here.

Deal Or No Deal.

Coming To 10 And 10 Play In 2024.

Want to know more? Get in touch with: 

Catherine Donovan

VP Publicity & Communications 

cdonovan@networkten.com.au

Paula Lucarelli

National Publicity & Talent Manager 

plucarel@networkten.com.au

Anthony McCarthy

National Publicity & Talent Manager

anmccart@networkten.com.au

Something Sweet Is Coming. Dessert Masters Coming Soon To 10 and 10 Play.

The delicious debut season of Dessert Masters is coming soon to 10 and 10 Play.  

This mouth-watering series will see 10 of Australia’s most decorated pastry chefs, chocolate connoisseurs and baking experts whisk it all to be named Australia’s first ever Dessert Master. 

Juggernaut judges Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon are ready and raring to taste their way through what will be some of the most inventive and irresistible desserts Australia has ever seen.

As for the 10 seriously sweet pastry chefs battling it out to be the nation’s first Dessert Master, expect to see Kirsten Tibballs, Reynold Poernomo, Anna Polyviou, Adriano Zumbo, Jess Liemantara, Morgan Hipworth, Kay-Lene Tan, Andy Bowdy, Rhiann Mead and Gareth Whitton all put their reputations on the line.  

Satisfy your sweet craving with a sneak peek of the new series, here.  

Dessert Masters.

Coming Soon To 10 And 10 Play.

Want to know more? Get in touch with:

Tess Fisher

Senior Publicist - Judges

E: tefisher@networkten.com.au  

Nicole Soldatos 

Publicist - Contestants

E: nsoldatos@networkten.com.au