Development fund established for new original productions with Banijay UK labels

Banijay UK have signed a development deal with Big Productions, the production company co-founded by double-BAFTA-winning chef, TV presenter, and grime artist Big Zuu, to develop and produce a range of new original ideas.

Projects will include new comedy and factual entertainment formats, scripted, documentary, and live event shows. The deal will enable Zuu, alongside co-founders, Alex Gilman, Creative Director and Matt Dodds, Managing Director, to partner on the development of new IP with relevant Banijay UK labels, as well as access a development fund to support Big Productions’ ambitions for creative growth and talent investment.

The deal will ignite new ideas fronted by Big Zuu, as well as driving original formats that focus on new talent both in front of and behind the camera, with Zuu as one of the Executive Producers. Big Productions is committed to finding and developing new voices and the Banijay UK development investment will help to amplify this strategy.

Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland said: “Big Zuu is a once in a generation talent, a man who combines a ridiculously brilliant combination of comedic, culinary and musical skills with the effortless confidence of a natural born entertainer. Together with Alex and Matt, the vision for Big Productions to be a home for great ideas and new talent is genuinely exciting, and we, across Banijay UK production companies, are delighted to be partnering with such a great team.”

Big Zuu said: “Change happens from the top, and my goal with starting Big Productions has always been to develop brilliant content that shakes things up. Partnering with Banijay gives us the access, expertise, and gravitas to achieve that mission on a whole other level. I cannot wait to see what we can create together. Watch this space because we have Big Plans.”

Alex Gilman and Matt Dodds added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Banijay. Since meeting Patrick and the team, we have been blown away by their enthusiasm and support for our creative ambitions. This feels like an important step for our company’s development, and we are very excited to get started.”

This deal is part of the £50m Banijay UK Growth Fund which allows the UK group to partner in high profile talent as well as investing in new businesses, to supercharge growth.

This is the seventh Growth Fund deal to be announced since it was launched in February 2023. Previous talent deals include a first look with scripted producer, Chris Sussman and a multi project deal with Scottish documentary director and producer Kevin Macdonald. The fund has also facilitated investments in scripted companies Conker Pictures and Rabbit Track Pictures and unscripted North Wales based start-up, Ty’r Ddraig. It has also enabled DSP to grow the business launching DSP Films headed by Graeme McAulay to focus on premium documentaries.

The deal was brokered by Matt Dodds, CEO of Ditto MGMT and MD at Big Productions and Patrick Holland, UK CEO of Banijay.