Norwegian comedy sports show 'The Comedy League' lands global distribution deal with Banijay formats

• Banijay has acquired international distribution rights for Norwegian comedy sports format The Comedy League
• The show became TV2's second most-watched spring programme and has been recommissioned for a second series
• Creators at Happy Sheriff say the format delivers a fresh twist on sportainment by centring personality and performance
  

Banijay has acquired the international distribution rights to The Comedy League, a Norwegian format that pits celebrity entertainers against one another in a series of sporting challenges — and which its creators describe as bringing "a fresh twist on the sportainment genre" by "putting personality and performance at its core."

The show has already been recommissioned locally for a second series on TV2, where it enjoyed a strong debut, becoming the channel's second most watched programme during the spring season.

 It competes on the schedule alongside hits such as The Box and fellow Banijay title Bloody Game.

A star-studded Norwegian cast

The format features well-known faces from Norwegian entertainment, including Helene Olafsen — host of Norway's Dancing with the Stars — alongside comedians Truls Svendsen and Morten Ramm.

The combination of established talent and high-energy competition has clearly resonated with domestic audiences.

The show was created by Håkon Herresthal and Steffan Ludvigsen at production company Happy Sheriff.

Banijay sees global potential

Banijay format acquisitions chief Helen Greatorex was enthusiastic about the acquisition's international prospects.

She said The Comedy League "flips sport on its head, reimagining athletic competition through a bold comedy lens to deliver high-energy, feel-good moments."

"We're continuing to see strong global demand for formats that combine humour, competition and broad family appeal, and this truly hits the sweet spot," she added.

"As Norwegian creativity continues to set the pace, The Comedy League stands out with its distinctive tone and strong talent-led structure, making it highly adaptable for international markets."

Norway's golden run of format exports

The deal arrives as Norwegian formats continue their remarkable ascendancy on the world stage. Shows such as The Box and Nation's Dumbest have dominated conversation at international television markets in recent years.

The Box is currently being remade in the United Kingdom with Gary Lineker, whilst Jack Whitehall is set to host an American adaptation of Nation's Dumbest for Fox.

The broader comedy entertainment landscape also appears in robust health, with formats such as LOL: Last One Laughing — which also has a local Norwegian version — continuing to attract strong viewership across multiple territories.

The Comedy League looks well placed to capitalise on that momentum as it heads to the global market.