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| (Image Source: Broadband TV News/NBCUniversal/ITV Studios) |
Renowned television content creator and provider ITV Studios partners with major Japanese commercial television network Tokyo Broadcasting Systems (TBS) to create and launch the world’s first ever free ad-supported television (FAST) channel dedicated to deliver action-packed programming from around the world via the popular Ninja Warrior franchise. The deal is a first, both in terms of ITV Studios’ first FAST channel creation for third party IP as well as Tokyo Broadcasting’s first foray into FAST. Brokered by Bellon Entertainment on behalf of TBS, it will see ITV Studios creating, operating, marketing and distributing the Ninja Warrior channel in the UK and Canada initially with Australia and several other major territories to follow in the coming months.
Avid fans of the exhilarating show will be able to watch episodes of the UK edition programmed alongside international versions including the US (American Ninja Warrior) and Australia (Australian Ninja Warrior) as well as the original competition created by TBS in Japan named Sasuke which is behind the birth, growth and evolution of the Ninja Warrior franchise. The channel is currently available on Pluto TV in the UK and Canada and will launch on Rakuten TV and Samsung TV Plus in the UK later in Q4. The phenomenal sports entertainment reality competition Ninja Warrior was originally commissioned by ITV in the UK where ITV Studios also operates 19 Ninja Warrior UK adventure parks. Ninja Warrior has become a globally recognized brand since its launch on TBS in 1997 and has gone on to be remade in a further 25 markets. A long-running family favourite in the US, NBC has most recently aired the 16th season of American Ninja Warrior while in Germany where it is the most successful physical game show on TV, RTL has ordered its tenth. The finished series has been sold into 160 countries including The Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, New Zealand and pan-regionally in Asia.
Bellon Entertainment's Director of Sales Catherine Saunders said, ”Ninja Warrior is much more than television entertainment - it is a demonstration of what ordinary people can achieve with perseverance and hard work. It is wonderful that there is now a dedicated outlet where this unique programming can be enjoyed.” TBS Director of Global Sales and Development Jun Fukai commented, "We are very pleased to hear that ITV is launching the FAST Channel of Ninja Warrior. It has been beloved by viewers for many years, and we hope that this new initiative will allow even more people to enjoy the program." ITV Studios Executive Vice President for Digital Graham Haigh said, “We’re thrilled that TBS and Bellon have chosen us as their partner to venture into the world of FAST. Ninja Warrior has a cult following all over the world and we’re excited to bring different versions of this much-loved, award-winning format to its global fan base all in one channel.”
With 17 channels in 20 territories on around 100 platforms, ITV Studios has become an established publisher of content. Its FAST footprint spans the US, UK, Australia, Germany and the Nordics on platforms like Pluto TV, Rakuten TV, Samsung TV Plus, Freevee, Plex and LG, bringing extensive experience in creating, operating and distributing FAST channels to this new collaboration. ITV Studios’ top-performing portfolio of FAST channels includes single IP channels such as Hell’s Kitchen, River Monsters, Come Dine With Me, The Graham Norton Show, The Hotel Inspector and World Of Love Island alongside mixed IP genre channels such as Entertain (General Entertainment), True Lives (Factual) and Taste (Lifestyle).
