Banijay Launches Players Network with Jamie Vardy's Podcast
On Wednesday, Banijay Entertainment launches Players Network, a new label dedicated to sports content designed for digital audiences and social networks. The group marks its entry with 'Jamie Vardy's Having a Party', a podcast hosted by the former English champion, already distributed on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Players Network, Banijay's New Label for Digital Sports Content
Banijay Entertainment announces the creation of Players Network, a brand aimed at grouping sports entertainment formats geared towards digital and 'social' audiences. This new entity fits into the group's strategy to consolidate and expand its presence in sports as entertainment content, alongside documentary and event productions. The launch coincides with the release on Wednesday, June 10, of 'Jamie Vardy's Having a Party'. The series, produced by Workerbee (a Banijay UK label) in collaboration with Contentuual, features Jamie Vardy, former Leicester striker who won the English championship title in 2016 and is an England international. The format, described as a conversational and playful podcast, will host guests from professional sports, digital creation, entertainment, and the arts.
Distribution Across Major Platforms and Marketing Campaign
The first release from Players Network will be available via YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms. Banijay Rights is handling the distribution of the title, which also extends to the American market. The launch is accompanied by a large-scale billboard campaign in the UK, scheduled ahead of the World Cup. The group indicates that further announcements regarding Players Network will follow internationally, suggesting a planned expansion of the brand beyond the inaugural title.
Banijay Sports Expands Its Sports Content Portfolio
Banijay Sports, a specialized division of the group, oversees the expansion in sports content and 'sportainment', documentaries, digital content, live events, and creator formats. The group recently cited the launch of 'Football Island' (a format from Banijay Benelux SimpelZodiak and Southfields), the documentaries 'Homecoming: The Tokyo Series' (Banijay Americas), and 'The Eubanks: Like Father, Like Son' (Workerbee), as well as 'FC Failliet/Finesse', a football club run by content creators (Banijay Benelux Southfields and Banijay NXT).
