The deal between Banijay and All3Media to create a European media powerhouse is done.
The pact, which has been in the works for some time, will bring together the producers of series including The Traitors, Big Brother, Survivor, Peaky Blinders and Gogglebox as well as movies including Hamnet.
Officially, Banijay Group and RedBird IMI, the joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners and Abu Dhabi-based IMI media group, have entered a “strategic partnership” to merge the two companies, which will be called Banijay going forward.
The deal is expected to close by the fall.
Marco Bassetti, currently CEO of Banijay Entertainment, will serve as CEO of the newly formed group and Jane Turton, currently CEO of All3Media, will become Deputy CEO. Jeff Zucker, CEO of RedBird IMI, will become Chairman of the Board of the new combined entity.
The combined group would have generated revenues exceeding €4.4B ($5.1B) in 2024 with adjusted EBITDA of €690M ($800), bringing Banijay Group’s total 2024 pro forma revenues to €7.4B ($8.59B).
It will now include more than 260,000 hours of programming including more than 45 formats produced in more than three territories in 2025.
It brings together production companies including The Traitors producer Studio Lambert, Peaky Blinders producer Kudos, The Tourist maker Two Brothers and Neal Street, which is behind the upcoming quad of Beatles movies directed by Sam Mendes.
Banijay has around 130 production companies across the world and All3Media, which is largely based in the UK, U.S. and Germany, has around 40.
Bassetti said, “Since its inception, Banijay has been driven by entrepreneurialism, ambition, and creativity. In the next phase of our journey, this DNA remains integral to our commitment to building a media and entertainment company that can stand its own, and the test of time, on the global stage. One that can attract and retain the best talent, one that has the means to truly invest in ideation and building the franchises and live events of tomorrow, and one that can lead the way on adopting new technologies, new platforms and new routes to audiences – a truly diversified media and entertainment powerhouse.”
Turton added, “All3Media has grown from a start-up in 2003 to a globally successful creative business. First and foremost, we are a group where creative and commercial excellence go hand in hand. We celebrate talent and believe in collaboration, ambition and innovation in creating and producing both stunning programmes and delivering impressive financial returns. I am looking forward to working with Marco as All3Media and Banijay embark on this next exciting phase.”
Zucker said, “When we formed RedBird IMI three years ago, we dreamed of creating a world class, diversified entertainment company that reaches global audiences across scripted and unscripted programming, live events and digital. With this combination of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, we have realized that goal, and are thrilled to partner with the entire Banijay team.”
