ITV Studios Pacts with Nordics’ Karsten Bartholin, Kenneth Kristensen

Global indie group ITV Studios has inked a major overall deal with seasoned reality TV creators Karsten Bartholin and Kenneth Kristensen and their new shingle Banjo Formats to produce “broad, loud, and commercially strong reality formats with global appeal.”

The deal was announced Oct. 13 on the reopening day of the Mipcom content market in Cannes.

Both Kristensen and Bartholin boast a long experience in delivering flagship format brands as former honchos of Viaplay Group’s non-scripted content arm over a 10-year period. Kristensen served as  SVP of non-scripted content and Bartholin as group head of formats and development. Tentpole formats commissioned under their management included ITV Studios flagship dating phenomenon “Love Island” as well as other global brands “Survivor,” “MasterChef” and “Paradise Hotel” among others. The duo also oversaw the launch of the original format “Buying Blind.”

As a prior co-creator and co-owner of the triple Rose d’Or winning prodco Babyfoot, Bartholin also delivered the hit format “I Survived a Japanese Game Show” which aired for two seasons on ABC in the U.S. and other European platforms, as well as “Gay Army” for Scandinavia and “Bingo Banko” for Denmark and Germany.

Meanwhile Kristensen is famed for contributing to the launch of MTV in the Nordics under his 10 year contract with Viacom, Northern Europe, as VP Content and Programming, Comedy and MTV where he oversaw the commissioning and content strategy.

Mike Beale, Managing Director, Global Creative Network at ITV Studios said: “The new deal will see Karsten and Kenneth using their amazing experience commissioning and developing shows from around the world, to boost our international format slate and create diverse new concepts that will resonate globally. Their great ideas and ability to pitch across territories will greatly support our search for new IP.”

“We are thrilled to be working with ITV Studios’ production and distribution teams to bring new formats and IP to life, “ added Kristensen and Bartholin. “We feel confident our approach, rooted in our experience from both sides of the table: commissioning and developing, will bring both companies much success.”