Banijay Entertainment has secured worldwide rights to “Battleground,” a fitness-driven competition format originated by Mumbai-based Rusk Media.
The format fuses athletic competition, reality-style drama and audience interactivity, following fitness creators through a three-stage contest that includes a signature Fight Club segment. Competitors split into four teams, each guided by a mentor empowered to bid and trade athletes through strategic power plays, while round-the-clock cameras supply the reality engine at the heart of the show. Participants are tested across a broad range of physical disciplines, from raw strength and speed to agility and endurance.
The series’ debut season in India racked up over 20 million views and 2.5 billion social media impressions, lending the format credibility as it heads into the global market.
“The large-scale athletic battles deliver genuine spectacle; while evolving alliances, rivalries and gameplay bring fresh competitive energy,” said Helen Greatorex, Banijay Entertainment’s head of format acquisitions. “This is a format with true global potential, tapping directly into the creator-driven landscape driving viewership today.”
“By combining competitive intensity with real, relatable storytelling, the show creates a compelling viewing experience, while offering brands an opportunity to integrate organically and connect with audiences in a more meaningful way,” added Mayank Yadav, CEO and co-founder of Rusk Media.
“Battleground” joins Banijay Entertainment’s third-party slate alongside formats including “Ninja Warrior” – licensed from Tokyo Broadcasting System – strategic reality title “Werewolves” from Studiocanal and Dreamspark, and comedy format “You Laugh, You Lose” from Yoshimoto, the producers behind “Last One Laughing.”
Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti has overseen the company’s growth to €3.3 billion ($3.85 billion) in revenues and €544 million ($635 million) in EBITDA as of 2025. Rusk Media, founded in 2019, focuses on serialized fiction, unscripted formats and live entertainment built primarily for younger audiences, distributing across third-party streaming platforms and its own service, Alright TV.
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