Banijay Group

Banijay Group is a global production and distribution company creating content in all genres for television and multimedia platforms created in January 2008 by Stéphane Courbit.

Through the production companies it brings together and the strategic partnerships developed with talents and entrepreneurs around the world, Banijay Group is present in 16 territories in Europe (France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, UK, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland), the United States, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand.^[2]

Its merger with Zodiak Media, completed in February 2016, made Banijay Group the largest independent content producer in the world with revenues of around $1 billion.^[3] Its catalogue of more than 20,000 hours of content across all genres, 50% of which is third party programming from independent producers and networks, is distributed globally by Banijay Rights.^[4][5]

Chaired by Stéphane Courbit and led by Marco Bassetti, Banijay Group is controlled by a company (61,9%) composed of Courbit's LOV Group (50,1%) and DeA Communications (49,9%)– a company belonging to De Agostini. Vivendi owns a minority part of the total Group (28,4%).^[6][7] while some of Banijay Group's managers hold the remaining shares (9,7%).

Banijay Group (initially Banijay Entertainment), is the result of successive acquisitions of production companies driven by French entrepreneur and TV producer Stéphane Courbit (LOV Group).

In October 2008, Banijay acquires Air Productions, famous French host Nagui's production company. In 2009, Banijay acquires 51% of Cuarzo producciones,^[8] takes a 50% stake in Brainpool TV^[9] and buys Nordisk Film TV Denmark.^[10] In March 2010, Banijay acquires American production company Bunim/Murray Productions for an undisclosed amount.^[11]

In September 2012, Banijay acquires a majority stake in Australian Screentime.^[12] The same year, celebrity news channel Non Stop People and French popular TV host Cyril Hanouna's H2O Productions join the Group,^[13] followed in 2013 by Ambra Multimedia^[14] and DLO Producciones.^[15]

In 2014, Banijay launches Banijay Studios North America.^[16] In 2015, Banijay buys controlling share in Stephen David Entertainment^[17] and launches Non Stop People in Spain.^[18]

In July 2015, Banijay Group and Zodiak Media announce their merger, giving birth to the world's largest content production and distribution company not controlled by a media group in February 2016.^[19][20]

The Group continues to grow, both internally and externally.

In 2017, Banijay Group acquired British production company Castaway Television Productions.^[21]

In February 2018, Banijay acquired UK producer 7Wonder.^[22]

The same year, Banijay Studios Italy,^[23] Banijay Asia^[24] and Banijay Productions Germany^[25] were also been created.

In October 2018, Banijay entered advanced talks to acquire the Endemol Shine Group studio.^[26]

Banijay Rights

Operating out of London, Paris and Copenhagen, Banijay Rights is the division of Banijay Group responsible for the international distribution of its catalogue of more than 20,000 hours of content across all genres including drama, formats, factual, entertainment and theatrical. 50% of the catalogue is third party programming from independent producers and networks throughout the world.^[27] In 2009, Banijay Group creates its international distribution division Banijay International.

Following the merger of Banijay Group and Zodiak Media and that of their catalogues in February 2016, the division becomes Zodiak Rights^[28] In January 2017, Zodiak Rights is renamed Banijay Rights.^[29] The company is led by Tim Mutimer since February 2016.^[30]

Group companies

The Banijay Group companies currently include the following:^[31]

Key programmes

Shareholders

At the time of its creation in 2008, Banijay Entertainment's shareholders, alongside Stéphane Courbit (LOV Group),included: Groupe Arnault, AMS Industries and the Agnelli and De Agostini families.
In 2018, Banijay Group is controlled by a company (61,9%) composed of Stéphane Courbit's LOV Group (50,1%) and DeA Communications (49,9%)– a company belonging to De Agostini Group.Vivendi owns a minority part of the total Group (28,4%)^[6][7] while some of Banijay Group's managers hold the remaining shares (9,7%).

References

External links

• Official website