‘Dropped’ helicopter crash: the media companies behind the show

A helicopter crash in Argentina has killed 10 people, including three French athletes, during filming of the reality television show “Dropped.”

The company behind the series is Adventure Line Productions, which specializes in adventure-themed reality programming and game shows. The show’s broadcaster is TF1, the most-watched channel in France.

Adventure Line Productions was established in 1972 by producer Denis Mermet. Its most famous original series include the long-running “Fort Boyard” (first aired in 1990) and “Treasure Hunt.” On its website, ALP says it intends to perpetuate the legacy of the late Jacques Antoine, who created both of those shows.

ALP is also known for its adaptations of popular shows for French broadcasters, including “Survivor” (“Koh-Lanta”) and “How to Look Good Naked” (“Belle Toute Nue”). It is a subsidiary of Zodiak Media, an entertainment firm headquartered in Paris that owns 45 production companies.

Besides the three sports personalities who perished, five crew members who were working on the show for ALP died in the crash. Two helicopter pilots were also killed.

“We are incredibly saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts are with everyone involved and their families at this time following the terrible helicopter crash,” said Zodiak Media in a statement on Tuesday.

The larger Zodiak company has many international offices in cities including London; Stockholm; Milan, Italy; and Moscow.

Zodiak’s North American division has offices in Santa Monica, New York and Mexico City, and has produced programs such as “Celebrity Wife Swap,” “Hardcore Pawn” and “Mexico’s Next Top Model.” The Santa Monica office employs about 40 people.

“Dropped” is an adaptation of a Swedish show that follows teams of celebrities who are transported to remote locations and employ survival skills.

In a statement in French, TF1 said that its chief executive Nonce Paolini and “all TF1 teams come together in this terrible time with the pain of the families and relatives of the victims.”

TF1, which airs shows including the French version of “The Voice,” is part-owned by the construction and telecommunications company Bouygues SA.

It is not yet clear whether “Dropped” will be canceled.

The helicopter collision is not the first tragedy to befall Adventure Line Productions and TF1. In 2013, a contestant the 16th season of “Koh-Lanta,” which airs on TF1, died of a heart attack suffered during filming. Shortly after the incident, a doctor working on the show committed suicide.

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