Banijay and All3Media have merged to become the world’s biggest ‘super-indie’ – and the largest studio group outside the US.
The company, which will trade as Banijay Entertainment, brings together businesses with combined annual revenues of €4.3bn and a global base of 25 countries.
Banijay Group and All3Media owner Red Bird IMI will each control a 50% stake.
The move caps a major week for broadcast industry mergers, following Sky owner Comcast’s £1.6bn takeover of ITV’s broadcasting and streaming arm, which has created the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster.
While Comcast sold Love Productions to ITV for £200m, the deal leaves ITV Studios as a standalone business that has been talked about as a potential target for Banijay Entertainment, with French media group Mediawan also in the frame.
Though headquartered in All3Media’s London office, Banijay Entertainment labels and distribution will in time be based at Banijay UK’s West London HQ.
The senior team comprises chairman Jeff Zucker (RedBird IMI chief executive), chief executive Marco Bassetti (Banijay Entertainment chief executive) and deputy chief executive Jane Turton (All3Media chief executive), with a “newly devised leadership team” set to be appointed underneath them.
Banijay UK executive chair and chief executive Patrick Holland is expected to head up the combined group's 65 UK labels.
All3Media chief operating officer Sara Geater, whose role encompassed talent management and production, and group director of corporate development Steven Brown have both left the company.
Banijay Entertainment operates a range of mega-brands including The Traitors [pictured], Peaky Blinders, MasterChef and Big Brother.
The combined company is a multi-genre powerhouse that includes unscripted UK producers such as All3Media labels such as Studio Lambert, North One and Objective Entertainment and Banijay’s portfolio, which includes Dragonfly, Initial, Remarkable Entertainment and Shine TV.
In scripted, Banijay Entertainment brings together Banijay UK companies including The Forge, Kudos, Blacklight, Mam Tor and Rabbit Track Pictures and All3Media’s stable of Two Brothers Pictures, Company Pictures, Neal Street Pictures and more.
The group also includes All3Media’s digital group Little Dot Studios and live events expertise from both companies.
