The Natural Studios & Banijay Asia Partner for New Content

The Natural Studios, the joint venture from Bear Grylls and Delbert Shoopman that launched in October, and Banijay Asia have partnered to bring new content to the Indian and Southeast Asian markets across both local and global platforms.

The partnership, which will see the two companies work tougher on both long- and short-form content, is the first for The Natural Studios. Combining Grylls and Shoopman’s expertise in the adventure space with Deepak Dhar-led Banijay Asia’s extensive territory knowledge, the united operation will create and build the high-octane genre in the subcontinent.

With work already underway on a development slate of projects in India and Southeast Asia, they hope to announce their first green-lit title in the coming weeks.

Shoopman, co-CEO of The Natural Studios, commented: “Conversations with Deepak followed almost immediately after launching the JV. Together we all could see the potential of venturing into a new space in India and Banijay Asia’s knowledge and contacts have been invaluable in making it a reality. Already, the response from the market has been positive and we are all looking forward to working together to establish a new genre and original IP.”

Dhar, CEO and founder of Banijay Asia, added: “In 20 months, we have made Banijay Asia into a credible and creative content driver, which delivers high-quality content to clients across the board. The partnership with The Natural Studios came at the perfect time, as we look to create and bring new genres into the country and the region. Adrenaline-fuelled projects have been relatively unexplored with huge potential on the horizon, and with Bear and Delbert, we are confident we have what it takes to turn this genre into a must-have for buyers in Asia and around the world.”