Banijay

History[edit]

In 2009, Banijay acquired 51% of Spanish production company Cuarzo Producciones on 12 January,^[4] 50% of German producer Brainpool TV on 2 July^[5] and the entire television division of Copenhagen-based film studio Nordisk Film on 12 October.^[6] In March 2010, Banijay acquired American production company Bunim/Murray Productions for an undisclosed amount.^[7]


In September 2012, Banijay acquired a majority stake in Australian production company Screentime, which included a New Zealand division (Screentime New Zealand) and a 49% stake in Irish producer Shinawil which was sold in 2015.^[8] That same year, French celebrity channel Non Stop People and Cyril Hanouna's H2O Productions became new members of the Group,^[9] followed in 2013 by Italian producer Ambra Multimedia^[10] and Spanish producer DLO Producciones.^[11]


In April 2014, Banijay launched Banijay Studios North America in Los Angeles, California.^[12] On 9 January 2015, Banijay acquired New York City-based Stephen David Entertainment.^[13]


In July 2015, Banijay Group announced that it would merge with Zodiak Media; the merger was completed in February 2016.^[14][15] Vivendi also became a shareholder in 2016.^[16]


In 2017, Banijay acquired BlackLight Television, Blast and Fearless Minds in the UK, launched YellowBird UK and acquired Shauna Events in France.^[17] In July of that year, Banijay announced it had acquired Survivor production company Castaway Television Productions.^[18]


In February 2018, Banijay Group acquired Britain-based company Wonder^[19] and Neon Ink Productions in February. Banijay Studios Italy,^[20] Banijay Asia^[21] and Banijay Productions Germany^[22] were created in June of that year. Portocabo and Terence Films also became members of the group in 2018.


In October 2018, Banijay entered advanced talks to acquire rival Endemol Shine Group,^[23] with a deal approved a year later on 26 October 2019.^[24]


In October 2019, Good Times and Funwood Media became part of the group and the company launched joint venture The Natural Studios alongside Bear Grylls and Delbert Shoopman.^[25]


On 30 June 2020, the European Commission approved Banijay's purchase of Endemol Shine.^[26] The purchase was completed on July 3, 2020, whereby Banijay took on its current name (dropping off "Group") and upscaled from its 16 territories to 22.^[27] More recently, it signed a deal with Nineteen11, a production company.^[28] On December 15, 2021, Banijay Rights inked a deal with Viaplay which provided access to its Nordic drama titles.^[29] This led to the creation of Banijay Brands and in September 2020 Banijay Germany secured the majority stake in SR Management GmbH.


In April 2021 it was announced Banijay acquired animation company Monello Productions to sit under Banijay Kids & Family. In addition, that month, Banijay Germany launched a new label before announcing in May that Banijay Germany had established a new documentary division. In June of the same year Endemol Shine Germany, part of Banijay Germany, had launched Rainer Laux Productions which is a collaboration with renowned TV producer Rainer Laux. Banijay Germany also partnered with Stephan Denzer in October to found fiction label Good Humor.^[30]


In 2021, Marathon Studio, a joint venture with Banijay France, was established and it was announced in July that Banijay France acquired DMLS TV. In July, new French talent agency Banijay Talent and IMA, the new creative agency from Banijay Iberia, were launched. Additionally, Banijay Benelux acquired a majority stake in leading Dutch sports producer Southfields.^[31]


In September 2021, Banijay Americas launched new production studio Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, which is based in Mexico City and Los Angeles.^[32] Banijay UK also announced in October 2021 the creation of new scripted start-up Double Dutch.


In February 2022, Endemol Shine Boomdog announced the launch of its post-production studio. This month also saw the creation of Yasuke Production. This new production company between Endemol France and Teddy Riner will focus on the world of sport. Later this month, a partnership with award-winning French producer Alain Goldman via Pitchipoï Productions and Montmartre Films was confirmed.^[33]


In March 2022, it was announced that Banijay had acquired the Rome-based production company, Grøenlandia Group.^[34]


In April, Banijay announced it is further growing its premium scripted offering via a partnership between Banijay Iberia and Pokeepsie Films.^[35]


In May 2022, it was announced that Banijay will be public through an agreement with a SPAC investment group.^[36]


In July 2022, it was announced that Banijay would acquire the Sony-owned German television production company Sony Pictures Television Germany.^[37][38] The acquisition was completed in October 2022, with the company renamed as Noisy Pictures.^[39]


In October 2022, it was announced that Banijay had entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed (Scheme) to acquire Beyond International.^[40] The acquisition was completed on December 30, 2022 and Beyond was delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange on January 3, 2023.^[3] In that same month, it was announced that Banijay UK had acquired Mam Tor Productions.^[41]


In December 2022, Banijay acquired Brazilian studio A Fábrica.^[42] before announcing in January 2023 that Banijay Benelux has acquired a majority stake in Belgian production company Jonnydepony.


In February 2023, Banijay Iberia and the football league, LaLiga, announced they were joining forces to launch LaLiga Studios.


On the 15 June Banijay announced it had signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Balich Wonder Studio. Building a stand-out, global media and entertainment powerhouse, the deal combined the strengths of the established world-renowned content group, with the pioneering capabilities of the live entertainment player.^[43] The following day the launch of Screen Line Productions, a new scripted label that will sit within Banijay France was announced. The creation of “Banijay Events”, a live events offering which will capitalise on the company’s expertise and success in content production, as well as expand its capabilities within the wider entertainment industry. This announcement later on in the month follows FL Entertainment’s recent new ventures – an investment into The Independents, and the acquisition of Balich Wonder Studio by Banijay. On the 28 June Banijay UK announced its investment in Rabbit Track Pictures, via the Banijay UK Growth Fund. The London based TV & Film production company co-founded by film, TV and stage actor James Norton and scripted executive Kitty Kaletsky.


In July Banijay unveiled the rebrand of creative and marketing agency Banijay Live Artist Brand (BLAB) which becomes Banijay Media Germany. The move introduces three pillars within the company: House of Brands, House of Likes and House of Rights.


Leading entertainment executive and entrepreneur Cris Abrego and celebrated director, producer, and activist Eva Longoria announced on the 16th of October 2023 that they have formed a new media holding company and premium content studio, Hyphenate Media Group. The new venture will invest in creator-led enterprises as well as develop and produce its own slate of original programming. Abrego will serve as the CEO of the company, and Longoria will serve as its Chief Creative Officer. Media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay, led by Chairman Stéphane Courbit and CEO Marco Bassetti, where Abrego has served as Chairman of the Americas since 2020, has made a strategic investment in the new business to accelerate its growth.^[44]


During a prestigious breakfast in Cannes for MIPCOM 2023 Banijay, unveiled a brand-new global accelerator program, designed to exclusively support women creators with promising unscripted formats. Banijay Launch is geared towards discovering and incubating untapped talent, to support the next generation of global franchise makers.


Banijay UK announced on 24 October its investment in Esmerelda, the new production venture from actor, comedian and writer Sir Lenny Henry. The new scripted start-up will focus on broad appeal drama and comedy, with an emphasis on working with under-represented writers, cast and crew. BAFTA-winning executive producer, writer and director, Jon Sen, joins Sir Lenny as Joint Managing Director.


On 11 January 2024, it was announced that Beyond International's former owner Mikael Borglund had purchased back Beyond Productions from both companies, including all content produced within the ownership. Banijay retained ownership and distribution rights to Beyond's pre-2022 back catalogue, and secured a five-year first-look distribution deal for all new Beyond productions.^[45]