• Creation of the largest international player in content production and distribution
• New footprint includes approximately 200 entities across 22 countries
• Standout catalogue comprises 88,000+ hours of high-quality entertainment
Australian’s two biggest production companies are now owned by the one company after Banijay finally completed the acquisition of Endemol Shine Group, previously co-owned by The Walt Disney Company and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management.
The closed deal, which has been successfully approved by the relevant regulators worldwide in consultation with relevant employee representative bodies, sees the French-headquartered group scale up significantly to approximately 200 entities across 22 countries.
The deal makes Banijay the largest international content producer and distributor, ramping up its distribution division, Banijay Rights, and building a catalogue of over 88,000 hours of multi-genre premium entertainment brands.
Earlier this year Australian Cathy Payne took up a new role as chief executive of Banijay Rights.
As of today, Banijay represents a number of the world’s biggest brands and global formats including Survivor, Big Brother, Peaky Blinders, Temptation Island, MasterChef, Wallander, The Kardashians, Mr Bean, The Wall, Hunted, Black Mirror, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Deal or No Deal.
The combined group will be led by chief executive officer Marco Bassetti (pictured) with Sophie Turner Laing stepping down from her role as chief executive officer of Endemol Shine Group. Turner Laing’s final day will be Friday 10th July.
It is expected for the immediate future it will be business as usual in Australia for Screentime under the leadership of Rory Callaghan and at Endemol Shine Australia under Mark and Carl Fennessy.
Marco Bassetti commented: “The close of this unique deal represents the joining of two businesses built on entrepreneurialism, creativity and people. Aligned in thinking, and approach, we now stand together as the world’s largest international content creation and distribution group. Expanding our catalogue and investment in high-quality, multi-genre IP, extending our footprint significantly, and welcoming a number of new world-class creatives, we hope to become a go-to for clients, and home for the best talent to create the most innovative and fresh scripted and non-scripted programming. With newfound scale and increased strength in the industry, we are excited by the path ahead. I’d like to finish by thanking Sophie for her ongoing support and hard work in such a challenging year.”
The two Australian production houses make some of the key content for broadcasters. Screentime is currently at work on SAS: Australia for Seven, Anh’s Brush with Fame for ABC, RBT for Nine and Hughesy, We Have a Problem for 10.
Endemol Shine Australia has just been commissioned for another season of Big Brother for Seven, is planning new seasons of MasterChef and Survivor for 10 and Married at First Sight for Nine.