Banijay: new company to be jointly owned by Banijay, Redbird

Banijay: new company to be jointly owned by Banijay, Redbird

Banijay and RedBird IMI in Advanced Talks to Create €6 Billion TV Content Powerhouse

Banijay Group, the Paris-based TV production giant, and RedBird IMI, the Abu Dhabi-backed investment firm, have confirmed advanced discussions to merge their production assets, potentially creating one of the world's largest independent content companies with combined annual revenue of €5.7–6.0 billion. The deal would unite Banijay's 130+ production companies across 25+ territories with All3Media's 50 production labels, including Studio Lambert and IDTV, expanding the combined entity's footprint to 180+ production entities.

The merger would consolidate a vast library of global franchises, including Big Brother, MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, The Traitors, and Call the Midwife, alongside scripted and unscripted formats distributed across Netflix, Disney+, BBC, and Peacock. Banijay's strength in European markets complements All3Media's dominance in the UK and English-language content, while RedBird IMI's ownership adds financial scale, having acquired All3Media for £1.15 billion ($1.45 billion) in 2024.

Strategically, the move reflects industry-wide consolidation as independent producers seek scale to compete with streaming platforms that increasingly internalize content production. A combined entity would enhance negotiating leverage with platforms, diversify format offerings, and secure diversified revenue streams across linear and streaming channels. However, regulatory hurdles loom, with the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission likely to scrutinize the deal's impact on market concentration, particularly in unscripted formats and UK production.

Ownership structures add complexity: Banijay is controlled by LDH (67.1%) and Vivendi (32.9%), while All3Media is fully owned by RedBird IMI. The merger's structure—whether a full acquisition or joint venture— remains unclear, as does the role of existing management, including Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti and All3Media CEO Jane Turton.

While no final decision has been made, the talks signal a pivotal shift in the global content landscape, with potential implications for streaming platforms and independent producers alike. Regulatory approval could take 12–18 months, with a 2027 closing possible.