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CANNES: The six-part series Underground Britain, a highlight from all3media international, takes the audience through secret labyrinths found below the ground in the U.K. “The show presents the quintessentially British landscape from a whole new perspective: the nation’s most impressive natural and manmade underground landmarks,” says Maartje Horchner, the head …

CANNES: FILM.UA Distribution’s catalogue includes the crime series The Sniffer, about a private investigator with an extraordinary sense of smell. The animated series Eskimo Girl aims to help foster kids’ logical-thinking skills. “The universal language of gestures, mimics and sounds used throughout the episodes makes the series easily adaptable,” says …

CANNES: The dead coming back to life is the premise of The Returned, a drama that FremantleMedia International (FMI) is launching at MIPCOM. The show, based on France’s Les Revenants, features a script penned by Carlton Cuse (Bates Motel) and Raelle Tucker (True Blood). Also on offer from the company …

CANNES: Banijay Group’s iconic reality format Temptation Island was recently relaunched on Italy’s Canale 5, and Banijay International is offering the title at MIPCOM. The strong ratings led to a renewal for season two in 2015. “It is a truly iconic format and a real heavyweight in the reality space, …

CANNES: The sports-themed Master Athletes is a high-octane entertainment format from the FremantleMedia catalogue. “It’s an intense and groundbreaking reality show where 24 ultra-fit members of the public prepare themselves for a grueling ten-week challenge,” says Rob Clark, the company’s director of global entertainment development. “To win, the teams must …

CANNES: As singing competitions continue to grab audiences around the world, Global Agency believes it has found “the next big thing” with Stand By Me. “With the duets and the celebrity jury also taking part as contestants, it is a very exciting new concept,” says Izzet Pinto, the founder and …

CANNES: The reality format The Secret Life of Students/Teens is a lead offering for ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE). It features a new technological innovation developed to track the digital lives of its contributors. The technology captures digital data, from voice calls and messages to Facebook posts, tweets and …

PARIS: Francois de Brugada, currently the COO of Banijay Group, is taking on the new role of CEO of Banijay Group France, responsible for all of the company's French operations. He will take on oversight for Air Productions, Banijay Productions France and H2O, a well as the Canal Sat channel …

CANNES: Netflix has licensed a range of programming from CBS Studios International (CBSSI), including Showtime's Penny Dreadful, for a number of European markets. The pact includes early seasons of current series Elementary, Under the Dome and Ray Donovan, alongside Dexter, Deadwood and Jericho. In addition to the Netherlands, territories included …

HAMBURG/HILVERSUM: John de Mol's Talpa Media has acquired a 49.9 percent stake of the production company Schwartzkopff TV, which is owned by Axel Springer, and plans to rename the outfit Talpa Germany. Schwartzkopff TV produces more than 180 hours of programming each year, with output for such channels as RTL, …