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Banijay Launches "All Star Hide and Seek", a Celebrity Game Show

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 9:00 GMT by Variety

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Banijay Entertainment Unveils “All Star Hide and Seek”: A New Creator Format Set to Shake Up Global Game‑Show Landscape

Variety reported on June 12, 2025 that French‑based content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment has just added a fresh entry to its growing catalogue of creator‑developed formats: “All Star Hide and Seek.” The announcement came during a press briefing that also highlighted Banijay’s broader strategy of nurturing low‑budget, high‑concept shows that can be adapted for a variety of distribution platforms—from linear broadcast networks to streaming giants. Below is a detailed summary of the Variety piece, including the key points the article stresses and the wider context it places the new format in.

1. The Premise: A Celebrity‑Centric Game Show Re‑imagined

At its core, All Star Hide and Seek is a competitive game‑show that blends the primal thrill of hide‑and‑seek with the star power of celebrity contestants and audiences. According to Variety, the format pits two or more celebrity “seekers” against a “hider”—another celebrity, a popular influencer, or a group of fans who must vanish inside an elaborate, themed set. The set is described as a “living‑room labyrinth” featuring modular walls, hidden compartments, and sensory tricks that change the game in real time. Viewers are told that the experience will be interactive: a live stream component allows the audience to vote on obstacles, set time limits, and even influence which “hider” gets a second chance.

The twist that Variety emphasises is the “all‑star” element: the game is designed to feature multiple celebrities in a single episode, creating a tournament‑style arc that can be stretched across a season. The format’s creators claim it can deliver high‑energy set pieces (think giant inflatable mazes, virtual reality overlays, and a 360‑degree camera rig) while keeping production costs manageable.

2. The Creator: A New Talent Pool Under Banijay’s Wing

“All Star Hide and Seek” is credited to Maya Patel, a 29‑year‑old format developer who launched her own production company, Patel & Partners, in 2023. The Variety article notes that Patel had previously worked on two independent YouTube series that achieved viral status, giving her a reputation for “inventive, low‑cost, crowd‑engagement concepts.” The format was pitched to Banijay’s Creator‑In‑Residence programme—an initiative that pairs up‑and‑coming creators with Banijay’s international network and production resources.

Patel’s pitch deck, described in the Variety piece, showcased a “prototype set” built on a modular stage that could be repurposed for multiple episodes. She also emphasised the potential for cross‑platform integration: a companion mobile app that lets viewers play along in real time. Banijay executives were reportedly impressed by the concept’s scalability and the clear revenue‑streaming potential from sponsorships and branded integrations.

3. Banijay’s Role: From Development to Global Distribution

Banijay’s involvement goes beyond simply green‑lighting the format. Variety details that the company will:

• Finance the pilot – a 30‑minute episode that will be shot in a Los Angeles studio with a budget of roughly $200 k.
• Provide a production team – seasoned producers, directors, and a production designer will be attached to streamline the build of the “hiding labyrinth.”
• Distribute – Banijay’s own distribution arm, Banijay Global TV, will pursue placement on both traditional networks (e.g., CBS, BBC, TF1) and streaming platforms (e.g., Amazon Prime Video, Disney+).

The article also hints that Banijay is already in early conversations with a few major networks that have been “looking for fresh, audience‑interactive formats.” The company’s historical success with shows like The Masked Singer and Love Island gives the new format a built‑in cachet that can be leveraged in those pitches.

4. Market Context: Why Hide‑and‑Seek?

Variety points out that the hide‑and‑seek genre has a long‑standing appeal in children’s programming (e.g., Finding Nemo), but adult‑oriented iterations are relatively rare. The article argues that All Star Hide and Seek arrives at a time when audiences crave:

• Immersive, high‑stakes competition – a trend visible in shows like The Bachelor and Survivor.
• Celebrity‑centric content – with reality shows featuring celebrities in uncharacteristic scenarios attracting record viewership.
• Interactive experiences – bolstered by the rise of live‑streaming platforms where viewers can influence outcomes.

By combining these elements, the format aims to capture both the “feel-good” factor of hide‑and‑seek and the competitive tension of reality game shows. Variety also notes that the concept has built‑in flexibility: it can be adapted into a kids’ version, a teen‑focused version, or a pure game‑show format for a “no‑crossover” audience.

5. The Production Pitch: A Prototype, Not a Final Product

While the Variety piece offers a high‑level overview of the format, it stresses that All Star Hide and Seek is still in its early prototype stage. The pilot will be filmed in a single location, with no international shooting yet planned. The article reports that Banijay is inviting a few networks to attend a “virtual pitch session” where the pilot will be shown, and feedback will be gathered on potential format tweaks.

The format’s creator also mentioned that the show could integrate “smart‑phone tracking” technology to allow real‑time location updates, adding an extra layer of suspense for live audiences. This tech component is highlighted as a potential selling point for tech‑savvy platforms like Netflix or YouTube Originals.

6. Potential Challenges and Next Steps

Variety’s editorial tone acknowledges several hurdles that the format will need to navigate:

• Production Complexity – The elaborate set and real‑time technology may drive up costs beyond the projected pilot budget if scaled.
• Audience Engagement – Maintaining tension over multiple episodes requires careful pacing; the pilot will need to demonstrate a clear “hook” for viewers to return.
• Celebrity Availability – Securing high‑profile participants on a tight budget may be difficult, especially for a show that depends on star power.

The article concludes that, if the pilot is successful, Banijay intends to produce a full season in early 2026, with a tentative launch on the platform that shows the strongest fit—be it a network, a streaming service, or even a hybrid distribution model.

7. Bottom Line

Variety paints All Star Hide and Seek as a bold, hybrid format that could fill a niche in the crowded reality‑game‑show marketplace. By marrying a classic childhood pastime with celebrity drama and interactive tech, Banijay and creator Maya Patel have positioned the show for global adaptation. Whether the concept will survive the transition from prototype to commercial hit remains to be seen, but the early signs—high‑energy production values, a clear distribution strategy, and a forward‑thinking creator—suggest that All Star Hide and Seek could become a new household name in the next wave of global television formats.