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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 22, 2018 19:18:32 GMT -6
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jul 10, 2018 7:27:29 GMT -6
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jul 19, 2018 22:21:30 GMT -6
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Oct 4, 2018 10:59:23 GMT -6
deadline.com/2018/10/endemol-banijay-big-brother-endeavor-1202476076/Endemol Shine Auction Heats Up; ‘Big Brother’ Maker Could Sell For North Of $3B The auction for production and distribution giant Endemol Shine is heating up, with one report the Big Brother outfit could sell for north of $3B. Per the FT, ITV has withdrawn from the race leaving French TV group Banijay and Endeavor among the final players in the market for one of Europe’s biggest content creators. Masterchef, Black Mirror and The Fall outfit Endemol is co-owned by 21st Century Fox and private equity fund Apollo Global Management. Sony, Fremantle and Liberty Global were reportedly among interested parties since it went on the block earlier this year. Endeavor had been pursuing the asset, but not aggressively, according to a person with knowledge of the bidding process. Temptation Island, Survivor, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Versailles firm Banijay is understood to be in pole position to buy Endemol. It helps that the firm is run by Marco Bassetti, the former Endemol Italy CEO. Banijay is controlled by Stéphane Courbit’s LOV Group and De Agostini Group’s DeA Communications. Acquisitive French media titan Vivendi also holds a large stake and would be a driving force in any deal. The scramble for Netherlands-based Endemol comes as U.S. giants look to increase their Euro footprint. Comcast’s £30B play for Sky is the most notable example of major content corps seeking to bolster their ranks in competition with the likes of Netflix and tech incomer Apple. Endemol would immediately provide global reach to whomever acquires it, with Endemol Shine responsible for more than 800 productions airing on more than 287 channels around the world. Should Banijay come out on top, however, it would be a sign that Europe is not entirely opening its doors to American suitors. Others familiar with the negotiations say the asset has become over-priced, driving away prospective bidders. Banijay’s revenue for the financial year ending in December 2017 was €846.6M ($974M). Endemol Shine’s operating revenue in 2017 was €1.84B ($2.12B). Endemol, Banijay and Endeavor were no comment. Neither Fox nor Apollo could be reached for comment.
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Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Oct 4, 2018 12:23:06 GMT -6
variety.com/2018/tv/news/banijay-endemol-shine-advanced-talks-acquisition-1202968509/Banijay in Advanced Talks to Acquire Endemol Shine French TV group Banijay is in advanced talks to acquire production and distribution giant Endemol Shine, Variety has confirmed. The deep-pocketed Banijay Group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is controlled by Stéphane Courbit’s LOV Group and De Agostini Group’s DeA Communications. French media giant Vivendi also holds a significant stake. Endemol Shine, the Netherlands-based producer of “Big Brother,” “MasterChef” and “Black Mirror,” is jointly owned by 21st Century Fox and private equity fund Apollo Global Management. It was put on the block earlier this year. Although a number of companies are believed to have expressed an initial interest in acquiring Endemol, the field has narrowed considerably in recent weeks. On Wednesday, ITV, the U.K.’s biggest commercial broadcaster, ruled out a bid, joining Fremantle in publicly disassociating itself from the Endemol sale. Sony has bowed out, and Endeavor, which took a look at Endemol, is not believed to have entered the sale process. Buying Endemol “would be a big change for Banijay, as it would more than double in size,” said Tim Westcott, senior analyst at IHS. Although Banijay is present in 16 countries around the world, its footprint is light in some countries. Acquiring Endemol Shine, which has a network of 120 production companies in more than 20 territories, would allow Banijay to “increase its international reach,” Westcott said. “Vivendi is now a significant shareholder in Banijay Group and is interested in expanding its international perimeter and they happen to have quite a lot of cash after a series of recent selloffs recently,” said Westcott, referring to Vivendi’s unloading of its shares in Ubisoft. In July, Vivendi also announced its intention to sell half of its shares in Universal Music Group. Westcott noted that Courbit is very familiar with Endemol, having presided over Endemol France for several years. Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti is also an old Endemol hand. He founded Endemol Italy in 1997, became chief operating officer of the Endemol Group in 2007 and then president in 2009 before stepping down in 2012. Banijay’s revenue for the financial year ending in December 2017 was €846.6 million ($974 million), 22% of which was generated in France. Operating out of Paris, London and Copenhagen, Banijay boasts hit shows such as “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” “Wife Swap,” “Survivor,” “Shipwrecked,” “Child Support,” “Occupied” and “Versailles.” Endemol Shine’s operating revenue in 2017 was €1.84 billion ($2.12 billion), down from €1.89 billion ($2.17 billion) in 2016 and €1.98 billion ($2.28 billion) in 2015. Cynthia Littleton contributed to this report.
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