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French media giant Baniyay Group is working on the planet for an offer to get it to get ITV or its studio wing to unite two of Europe’s largest television production groups, according to two people familiar with the situation.
Banijay has held early talks with the British media group, people said, whose studio wing has attracted interest from a series of investments such as Redbird, who owns the All3Media rival, as well as private capital funds.
The ITV shares pricing has increased by one tenth of this year given the speech about a possible agreement on its studio arm, evaluating the group with just over £ 3bn. Analysts say the studio wing may be worth it on its own, however, by placing little value in a broadcasting business that includes a linear service and streaming in the UK.
Options that have been explored by Banijay include an offer for ITV studio business or full ITV. The latter is likely to mean that Banijay would seek to bring third -party investors, according to a person close to the situation.
ITV discussions are at a very early stage, with no guarantee that they will progress to an agreement whether for the media group or his studio business, said a person acquainted with the situation.
The combination of Banijay and ITV Studios would have strategic meaning given their strengths in scurred and unspoiled TV production, with both performing for great broadcasters and American broadcasters. The combination would provide negotiating power given that many broadcasters and transmitters are seeking to limit expenses.
ITV makes shows such as Island – which he also transmits in the UK – and Unrivaled For Disney while Banijay produces successful programs such as Peaky Blinders AND Older.
Baniyay Entertainment, the French production and distribution company, is owned by Baniyay Group, which is based and ranked in Amsterdam. Baniyay Group, controlled by French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit, also makes a large number of non-English titles, such as Like water for chocolate to HBO’s Max, and supervisory, The life you loved AND Law according to Lidia For Netflix in Italy.
ITV has held separate, early talks with Redbird MI, the Investment Group supported by Abu Dhabi who won the Rival in the UK All3Media last year. ITV itself has also explored various combinations for rival businesses, including a possible offer for All3Media last year.
Liberty Global, the largest ITV shareholder with about a tenth of his shares, supports management by looking at business options, according to people familiar with the situation.
Banijay and ITV refused to comment.
