Banijay Game Show Heads to Finland

PARIS: Nelonen Finland has commissioned Solar Television, a Banijay Group company, to produce the game show Faces to air in early 2012.

Solar Television will produce 14 one-hour episodes of the game show. Faces is a quiz show format in which contestants compete for cash prizes based on their celebrity knowledge.

“We are very pleased with Nelonen’s decision to be the first broadcaster to commission Faces,” said Petteri Ahoma, the CEO of Solar Television. “We can’t wait to see the results for this truly addictive new format here in Finland and expect them to translate positively to international buyers.”

Kristiina Werner-Autio, the senior VP for TV at Nelonen Media, commented: “The decision whether to commission a full series of Faces was an easy one to make! With its quick, easy-to-follow game play, modern feel and connections to pop culture, Faces ticks all the boxes for successful entertainment for the whole family. The show also presents a new opportunity for interactivity to our viewers, which in turn puts the program in a whole new level of game shows. We’re excited to work with Solar Television on the first production of this great new format.”

Francois de Brugada, the executive VP of Banijay Group, added, “We have believed in the potential of Faces from the outset which is why we threw our weight behind it. Here at Banijay we pride ourselves on championing the creative ideas of our member companies as well as third parties. This commission represents a very rewarding achievement for Faces both for Solar Television and the wider group.”