Banijay Entertainment signs new formats: The Laughing Throne & Stop The Train
April 21, 2026
Media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay Entertainment, has announced an expansion of its partnership with Japan’s largest entertainment group Yoshimoto, the creators of global phenomenon, LOL: Last One Laughing. Building on the success of recent collaboration You Laugh You Lose, the deal brings the global format rights to Yoshimoto’s popular comedy The Laughing Throne, produced by Kansai TV and Yoshimoto, into Banijay Entertainment’s extensive portfolio, with the group now set to lead adaptations across its 23 territories. Yoshimoto and Kansai TV will continue to oversee distribution in all other markets.
First launched on Kansai TV in 2017, The Laughing Throne is a studio-based improvisation battle that blends high-energy comedy with the fun of a musical-chairs-style game. A group of comedians circle a set of chairs; each assigned a specific comedy theme – from one-liner jokes to physical gags. When the music stops, the contestant left without a seat must challenge one of the seated players on their assigned theme. Both comedians perform, with a panel of well-known comedians judging the outcome. The loser is eliminated, and the game continues until a single champion remains on the throne.
The acquisition reinforces Banijay Entertainment’s investment in high-impact comedy formats and builds on the ongoing success of the global phenomenon LOL: Last One Laughing, produced by Banijay Entertainment labels in eleven markets.
Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions, Banijay Entertainment says: “Our partnership with Yoshimoto is already hugely delivering with You Laugh You Lose, and acquiring The Laughing Throne is the natural next step to boost our comedy portfolio. The musical-chairs style nostalgia is a unique selling point, paired with brilliantly simple improv-comedy that puts performers’ instincts to the test. Its
flexibility makes it ideal for local adaptations, while the competitive nature adds jeopardy and tension.”
Chihara Jr., Creator of The Laughing Throne, said: “We believe this format will be enjoyed by viewers around the world, and we hope it will reach and entertain as many people as possible”
Kazuhiko Ikeda, the producer of The laughing Throne, Kansai TV, added: “This project began as a small late-night show on local television in Japan’s Kansai region, so it is still surprising to see it now heading to the global stage. We are sincerely grateful to Banijay Entertainment for recognizing the potential of this format. The Laughing Throne blends the familiar game of musical chairs with a uniquely Japanese comedy style, where performers are challenged to come up with witty and imaginative responses to given prompts. We are excited to see how this combination of a universal game and expressive, idea-driven humor will be interpreted by comedians around the world. In the future, it would be fascinating to see performers from different countries compete together, surpassing language and cultural boundaries.”
Banijay Entertainment has also acquired the global format rights to Stop The Train, a high-concept adventure game from Unfold Production. Created by French YouTuber Squeezie, and director Théodore Bonnet, the series debuted on YouTube last year with a cast of French influencers.
Set entirely aboard a real, moving train, Stop The Train is a thrill-driven elimination game where contestants compete in challenges across themed carriages, aiming to reach the locomotive and bring the journey to a halt. At each stage, one player is eliminated and left behind as the journey continues, until only a single winner remains to claim the cash prize. Blending strategy, logic, memory and physical gameplay, the competition unfolds in real-time, with each carriage offering a distinctive and immersive setting, from a casino to a prison, all while in motion.
James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development, Banijay Entertainment, commented: “Stop The Train truly pushes creative boundaries, through its originality, competitive intensity and distinctive location-led design. We’re incredibly excited to be working alongside Unfold Productions and Squeezie, a defining figure in the digital landscape, whose creative vision and deep connection with online audiences have been central to the format’s success. Born on YouTube and already proven popular with fans, we see strong potential to scale the concept across our global footprint for multi-platform audiences around the world.”
The deal was brokered by Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions, Banijay Entertainment.