Exclusive: Banijay-owned Alp is threatening legal action amid concerns that its 30-year-old adventure game show Fort Boyard has been cloned by Sony joint-venture Satisfaction Group’s new French ratings hit District Z.
District Z premiered on TF1 last week and became France’s best unscripted entertainment show launch for 27 years in the key 25-49 demo, but viewers and local media immediately pointed out similarities with Fort Boyard, which broadcasts on France Télévisions. Fort Boyard presenter Olivier Minne has also drawn comparisons between the two shows.
Deadline can reveal that Alp is now sending Satisfaction a legal letter detailing its format infringement concerns. If the matter is not resolved between the two companies, we understand that Alp is prepared to take steps towards formal legal action.
Deadline hears Alp’s concerns center on the mythology behind each show, as well as specific format points. Fort Boyard, which has been adapted in 30 territories around the world,...
District Z premiered on TF1 last week and became France’s best unscripted entertainment show launch for 27 years in the key 25-49 demo, but viewers and local media immediately pointed out similarities with Fort Boyard, which broadcasts on France Télévisions. Fort Boyard presenter Olivier Minne has also drawn comparisons between the two shows.
Deadline can reveal that Alp is now sending Satisfaction a legal letter detailing its format infringement concerns. If the matter is not resolved between the two companies, we understand that Alp is prepared to take steps towards formal legal action.
Deadline hears Alp’s concerns center on the mythology behind each show, as well as specific format points. Fort Boyard, which has been adapted in 30 territories around the world,...
- 12/23/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
French prosecutors have opened a criminal manslaughter investigation into the death of French "Survivor" contestant Gerald Babin to determine if the show's producer Adventure Line Productions and host Denis Brogniart will face charges for his death.
Babin, a 25-year-old contestant on the show known as "Koh-Lanta," died of a heart attack while being airlifted to a hospital on Friday, March 22 after filming a challenge in Cambodia.
He had initially complained of fatigue and pain in his arms during a "shipwreck" challenge in which contestants had to swim from a stranded boat to shore and then engage in a tug-of-war. The show was immediately canceled by Channel TF1 for the season after Babin's death.
According to THR, prosecutors have already reviewed footage from the show and interviewed witnesses involved in the production as part of a preliminary investigation. Babin's family has filed a separate suit against Alp seeking damages based on...
Babin, a 25-year-old contestant on the show known as "Koh-Lanta," died of a heart attack while being airlifted to a hospital on Friday, March 22 after filming a challenge in Cambodia.
He had initially complained of fatigue and pain in his arms during a "shipwreck" challenge in which contestants had to swim from a stranded boat to shore and then engage in a tug-of-war. The show was immediately canceled by Channel TF1 for the season after Babin's death.
According to THR, prosecutors have already reviewed footage from the show and interviewed witnesses involved in the production as part of a preliminary investigation. Babin's family has filed a separate suit against Alp seeking damages based on...
- 7/17/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Paris – After months of preliminary investigations, prosecutors have opened an official criminal investigation for manslaughter in the death of Koh-Lanta contestant Gerald Babin on March 22. The case will now be handed over to a judge who will determine both the official cause of death and decide whether to issue indictments for criminal liability to producers at Adventure Line Productions (Alp) or host Denis Brogniart surrounding the circumstances of the death. The decision to open the criminal investigation comes after a lengthy preliminary investigation which included interviews with several witnesses including Brogniart and members of the crew. Investigators
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- 7/17/2013
- by Rhonda Richford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Denis Broginart, the host of Koh-Lanta, the French version of Survivor, defended himself, Adventure Line Productions (Alp), network TF1 and staff doctor Thierry Costa in his first interview since the death of contestant Gerald Babin. In an interview on radio network Rtl, Broginart said he welcomed the investigation that is currently underway by French prosecutors. “We have nothing to hide,” he said. “The program has nothing to do with what happened. It is the misfortune of a family and a young man who died from a heart condition. He could have died at home or in the weight
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- 4/16/2013
- by Rhonda Richford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The death of a participant on TF1 reality series Koh-Lanta, the French version of Survivor, has resulted in the cancellation of the show’s 16th season. Gérald Babin suffered a heart attack and died on Friday during the first day of shooting in Cambodia following a “shipwreck” challenge. He was 25. Production ceased immediately and the other contestants were being flown back to Paris today. Over the weekend, a spokesperson for France’s leading commercial broadcaster TF1 said, “The show will not take place in 2013.” Koh-Lanta, produced by Zodiak Media subsidiary Adventure Line Productions, started airing in 2001 and has consistently won its timeslot, drawing an average of 7.4M viewers. The 16th season was expected to air next fall. TF1 and Alp said in a joint statement: “The teams from Alp, TF1 and (host) Denis Brogniart are devastated and join in the profound sadness of Gérald’s family. All of their thoughts are with his parents,...
- 3/25/2013
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
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