Banijay has today confirmed that Ryszard Sibilski will be leaving the post of Managing Director of Endemol Shine Poland.

“Banijay can confirm Ryszard Sibilski, Managing Director of Endemol Shine Poland, has taken the decision to leave the business after almost 18 years. Throughout his tenure, he dedicated his time to making the business a go-to for quality-led productions, developing both local originals and reimaging our catalogue favorites for his audiences. We wish him all the best with his next endeavor and have no doubt, given our industry, our paths will cross in the future," the company said.

Ryszard Sibilski added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to lead Endemol Shine Poland for nearly 18 years, but now is the time to move on and try my hand at something new. I leave behind a strong business, with talent and creativity at its core. A home for brilliant brands and ratings successes, we have always played a key role in shaping the cultural zeitgeist and for that I am proud. I look forward to sharing what comes next.”

Ryszard Sibilski was appointed Managing Director of Endemol Shine Poland in 2006 and under his leadership the company is one of Poland’s most prominent independent production companies.

Endemol Shine Poland are behind a diverse range of scripted and non-scripted hits, which this year has included period drama Our Century, which launched on TVP1 this year and a relaunched version of global reality hit Big Brother which successfully returned to Poland after an eleven-year break and was immediately commissioned for a second series. He also oversees the global hub for The Wall, filming their own popular version as well as hosting multiple international productions of the hit game show for multiple markets.

Sibilski has over twenty years of experience in the television industry and was part of the team that launched Polish broadcaster TVN in 1998.

CEETV reminds that in September Polsat’s adaptation of Your Face Sounds Familiar made it into the international press with an episode which featured contestants in blackface impersonating Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce.

Singer Kuba Szmajkowski was crowned the winner of the second episode after performing Lamar's track Humble.The singer wore blackface make-up and also had cornrows, and shared photos of him getting ready to 163.000 followers on Instagram. During his performance, he reportedly also used the N-word. Performing Beyonce's If I Were A Boy, fellow contestant Pola Gonciarz also darkened her skin to perform. Banijay then commented: “Banijay condemns Endemol Shine Poland’s local execution of Your Face Sounds Familiar, which contradicts our group’s global values. A subsequent internal investigation is underway and the appropriate measures will be taken.” Hundreds of social media users also expressed outrage.