Indian versions of 'Suits', 'House', 'Monk', 'SNL' are being planned
What's the story
Hugely popular shows such as Suits, House, Monk, Saturday Night Live, The Titan Games, and Top Chef will get desi versions soon.
This comes after NBCUniversal Formats signed a co-production agreement with Banijay Asia to allow the latter to adapt these shows to suit the sensibilities of the Indian audience.
This is the first deal of this kind for NBCUniversal Formats in India.
Portfolio
Banijay Asia is known for producing Netflix's 'Tribhanga'
NBCUniversal Formats is the international sales wing for production, broadcast, and streaming divisions of NBCUniversal, Sky Studios, and some third-party brands.
Meanwhile, Banijay Asia is a production company that creates premium content for television, films, and OTT platforms.
Titles such as Tribhanga for Netflix, and MS Dhoni's documentary Roar of the Lion for Disney+ Hotstar are some of its notable works.
Reason
Global shows have been adapted earlier, were welcomed heartily
This co-production deal is significant after select Indian shows such as Disney+ Hotstar's Criminal Justice, The Office, Hostages and Amazon Prime Video's Mind The Malhotras tasted success in different OTT platforms after being adapted from their international counterparts.
Adapting foreign shows for Indian format is not new, as reality shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati, Indian Idol and Bigg Boss stand testimony to this fact.
Plans
With right talent, we can get India talking: Deepak Dhar
Banijay Asia was formed in 2018 as a joint venture between Banijay and TV veteran Deepak Dhar, who looks after new business, content strategies, partnerships and alliances.
Soon after the deal was inked, Dhar took to Twitter to bring attention to the formats of the NBC shows.
"With the right talent and partners, we can get India talking about these shows too," he said.
Twitter Post
'Let's get India talking about these top formats!'
Let's get India talking about these top formats! #Suits #SNL #Monk #House #TitanGames #TopChef @NBCUniversal @Banijayasia @Banijayasia #WeAreBanijay https://t.co/e0iqmpBjsF
— Deepak Dhar (@deepak30000) February 24, 2021
Reaction
These have proven to have universal appeal: Universal Studio
"These titles are proven hits and carry significant gravitas in the market, with many ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist worldwide," said Dhar, CEO and Founder of Banijay Asia.
NBCUniversal Formats is banking on Banijay's expertise in scripted and unscripted formats.
"These stories, characters and formats have proven to have universal appeal," said Enrique Guillen, EVP, Commercial Strategy & International Development, Universal Studio Group.