Endemol Shine Group acquired by Banijay

French production group Banijay has acquired global production company Endemol Shine Group to create a worldwide premium player in content production and entertainment. 

The acquisition will encompass Endemol Shine’s 120 production labels with an estimated 66,000 hours of scripted and non-scripted programming together with over 4,300 registered formats.

The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances and consultation with the relevant employee representative bodies.

The definitive agreement was confirmed by Banijay to acquire 100% of the equity of Endemol which is co-owned by The Walt Disney Company and funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management.

Banijay chief executive Marco Bassetti said: “Endemol Shine brings an incredible array of industry-leading talent, globally-renowned brands and high-quality creative content.

“Combining the resources of these two companies will instantly strengthen our position in the global market, and our capabilities across genres will further define us as a go-to provider of first-class IP worldwide.

“Welcoming the Endemol Shine brands and talents to our existing business will signal enhanced opportunities in the marketplace, and we are all excited by what the future holds for the combined entity.”

In a statement to the press, Banijay Group said the addition of these assets will position the firm at the forefront of content production and distribution and as a home for the industry’s leading on- and off-screen talent.

Upon completion of the acquisition, it will own almost 200 production companies in 23 territories and the rights for close to 100,000 hours of content. Total Pro-forma revenue of the combined group is expected to be approximately €3 billion for the year ending December 31st 2019.

The combined catalogue is expected to include some of the world’s best-known brands and formats such as Black Mirror, Versailles, The Millennium Trilogy, Peaky Blinders, Big Brother, Masterchef, Survivor, Temptation Island, Wife Swap and The Island.

Banijay said its “significantly broader brand portfolio and larger creative platform” will mean the company is in an even stronger position to create, nurture and drive fresh IP for both linear broadcasters and new players.

Endemol Shine Group chief executive Sophie Turner Laing said: “At Endemol Shine, we have continually inspired and entertained audiences around the world, a testament to every single person across the Group.

“This deal takes us into a whole new and exciting chapter and into a new enhanced global content house with many opportunities ahead.”

The acquisition will be financed through a capital increase of Banijay Group and committed debt financing, which includes a committed full refinancing of Banijay and Endemol Shine’s existing financial debt, supported by Deutsche Bank, Natixis and Société Générale. Post-closing, the combined group will be held by LDH (67.1%) and Vivendi (32.9%).

Last week Brussels-based dubbing, voiceover and access services facilities firm LyLo Media Group has been acquired by TransPerfect.

LyLo, which was founded in 2012, has studios in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Morocco. Its clients include Viacom Group (MTV, Paramount), Discovery Channel, Toei, Ubisoft, and HBO.

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