Banijay has acquired the format rights to “Alumni Lovers,” the school reunion dating show from MBC that first launched in South Korea last December.
In a deal to be formerly announced by its global head of acquisitions Helen Greaterox at an MIPTV panel later on Monday, the French TV giant will launch the format in Netherlands via its SimpelZodiak label and France through Endemol France.
“‘Alumni Lovers’ is a beautifully romantic series, with a distinctive take on the dating genre,” said Greaterox. “Fresh off the back of a successful launch in Korea, we anticipate interest building across the Netherlands and France given this title’s unique approach to the concept of ‘finding love’. With emotionally-fuelled entertainment at its heart, this show is a brilliant and complementary addition to our burgeoning portfolio of dating formats.”
“Alumni Lovers” brings together singletons who graduated from the same the school for a dating reunion designed to take them on a trip down memory lane and help them reconnect and find love.
“’Alumni Lovers’ presents an innovative twist on the dating reality format, with a mixture of heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments, as the contestants take a nostalgic journey through their old school days together,” said Jean Hur, MBC’s director of format sales and co development. “With universality and relatability at its heart, we are confident this show will resonate with global audiences and we are pleased to be partnering with Banijay to roll it across the Netherlands and France.”
Recent additions to Banijay’s third-party portfolio include “The Fortune Hotel” from Tuesday’s Child, set to launch soon on ITV in the U.K.; “Genius Game” from CJ ENM, which has been adapted by Banijay UK’s Remarkable Television, with David Tennant hosting for ITV; and “Bloody Game,” originating from Korea’s MBC, which debuted in Norway and was re-commissioned for a second season by TV2, with Mastiff Norway producing. These titles add to Banijay’s new IP offering of “The Summit,” “Deal or No Deal Island,” “Shaolin Heroes,” “Banged Up,” “Upside Down” and “Will They, Won’t They.”
