Banijay Entertainment S.A.[1] (formerly Banijay Group and later Banijay) is a media and entertainment powerhouse, home to over 130 production companies across 25 territories, and a multi-genre catalogue containing over 225,000 hours of original programming. Headquartered in Paris, London and Amsterdam, the company was founded in January 2008 by Stéphane Courbit, former president of Endemol France, and has risen since its inception, to become a €3.348bn turnover business. It is a subsidiary of Banijay Group N.V.
The company has expanded over the years through multiple transactions, including a merger with Zodiak Media in 2016, the acquisition of Endemol Shine Group in 2020, and Beyond International in 2022. The group's non-scripted television formats include Big Brother, Survivor, Deal or No Deal, Temptation Island, MasterChef, Wipeout, Fort Boyard, The Summit, Shaolin Heroes, Location Location Location, Would I Lie To You?, Pointless, and Hunted. Its scripted titles include Peaky Blinders, Rogue Heroes, Marie Antoinette, Grantchester, Fallen and Black Mirror, plus leading kids brands such as Mr Bean: The Animated Series andTotally Spies!.
History
Banijay Entertainment was formed in January 2008 through the successive acquisition of, and investments in, production companies and live entertainment labels, first in France then internationally under the leadership of Stéphane Courbit.
Its first acquisition was Nagui's production company Air Productions, which was renamed Banijay Production Media ten years later on April 9, 2018.
In January 2009, Banijay sold its Madrid-based Spanish production company El Terrat. Four days later in that same month, Banijay acquired 51% of Spanish production company Cuarzo Producciones.
On 2 July 2009, Banijay expanded its operations into Germany by acquiring a 50% stake in German television producer Brainpool TV. Five days later Banijay announced its entry into the American television production industry with the launch of American reality TV production outfit Angel City Factory.
In October 2009, Banijay announced its entry into the Scandinavian television productions business through the acquisition of Nordisk Film TV, its distribution division Nordisk Film TV Globe and production companies including Respirator and Solar Television.
Secondary logo, used as a main logo from 2020 to 2024.
In January 2010, Banijay announced it had acquired British indie production company Zig Zag Productions, marking Banijay's first entry into the British market. In September 2010, Banijay announced it had sold Zig Zag Productions back to co-founders Danny Fenton and Kevin Utton.
In March 2010, Banijay established its international distribution division Banijay International (now Banijay Rights) that would distribute its own titles alongside third-party programmes from producers worldwide. Two weeks later, Banijay announced it had acquired Los Angeles-based American reality television production company Bunim/Murray Productions, expanding Banijay's American operations.
In April 2012, Banijay Entertainment the restructure of its American production arm, with the closing of Angel City Factory and its development projects moving under Bunim/Murray Productions.
In September 2012, Banijay Group announced its entry into the Australian and New Zealand television market through acquiring a majority stake in Australian production company Screentime along with its New Zealand division Screentime New Zealand.
That same year, French celebrity channel Non Stop People and Cyril Hanouna's H2O Productions became new labels within the Group,
In April 2013, Banijay Group hired former Endemol executive and founder of Ambra Multimedia Marco Bassetti as CEO, with Banijay Group acquiring a majority stake in Ambra Multimedia, marking its first entry into the Italian television market.
In July 2013, Banijay Group announced it was expanding its Spanish operations through the acquisition of drama and entertainment production company DLO Producciones, becoming Banijay Group's second Spanish production label and its first entry into the Spanish scripted genre.
In April 2014, Banijay Group further expanded its American operations with the establishment of its production division, Banijay Studios North America, based in Los Angeles, California. Former Endemol North America executive and chairman David Goldberg was appointed as CEO.
On 9 January 2015, Banijay Group acquired a controlling share in New York City-based American unscripted production outfit Stephen David Entertainment. In June 2025, it sold back its share to founder Stephen David.
In June 2015, Banijay Group confirmed it was in advanced exclusive talks to merge with Paris-based international television production group Zodiak Media. A month later Banijay Group announced it had agreed to merge its operations and production labels with those of Zodiak Media. A year later in February 2016, Banijay Group announced it had completed the merger with Zodiak Media, becoming the world's largest independent production and distribution company. Zodiak's production divisions and companies like RDF Television, Jarowskij and Zodiak Kids became subsidiaries of Banijay Group, marking Banijay's return to the British television market, its first entry into the Swedish television production industry, and Banijay's first entry into the animation production business. Both companies' distribution operations merged under the Zodiak name. Vivendi also became a minority shareholder in 2016.
In July 2016, Banijay Group announced it had backed the launch of Italian production company Dry, expanding Banijay Group's Italian operations.
On January 16, 2017, Banijay Group announced its international sales distribution division would be renamed to Banijay Rights.
In May 2017, Banijay Group announced it was expanding its British operations and British scripted portfolio by launching new label BlackLight Television with Phil Trethowan and Ben Bickerton.
In July of that same year, Banijay Group announced it had acquired the British-based television production company behind Survivor,Castaway Television Productions, along with the Survivor format, expanding Banijay Group's operations and placing the Survivor format under Banijay's distribution arm Banijay Rights. One week later, Banijay Group announced it had launched a new British scripted production company, Fearless Minds.
In January 2018, Banijay Group announced it was expanding its British drama business with new London-based label Neon Ink Productions. A week later. Banijay Group announced it had acquired French digital company Shauna Events, expanding it operations in the digital market.
In February 2018, Banijay Group announced the acquisition of Britain-based unscripted television production company 7Wonder, marking Banijay Group's first British factual production company acquisition.
In March 2018, Banijay Group announced expansion of its German operations with Cologne-based division, Banijay Productions Germany.
In April 2018, Banijay Group entered a joint venture with Indian film producer Deepak Dhar to launch Banijay Asia, expanding the group's Indian and Southeast Asian operations.
In June 2018, Banijay Group expanded its Italian business with the launch of Rome-based scripted content division Banijay Studios Italy.
In October 2018, Banijay Group announced it had entered advanced talks to acquire Dutch-based global production and distribution company Endemol Shine Group, with a deal approved a year later on 26 October 2019. Later in October 2018, Banijay Group announced it had acquired French drama producer Terence Films.
In June 2019, Banijay Group confirmed Banijay Germany, had acquired Cologne based television production outfit Good Times.
In October 2019, Banijay Group announced it had teamed up with British adventurer Bear Grylls and production partner Delbert Shoopman to launch a new joint venture production company named The Natural Studios.
On 8 November 2019, Banijay Group announced the merging of its Italian non-scripted production companies DryMedia and Magnolia SPA, to form a new Italian unscripted production division Banijay Italia.
In December 2019, Banijay Group announced its distribution division Banijay Rights had acquired Italian-based and Spanish-based European production and distribution company Funwood Media.
In July 2020, Banijay Group announced the European Commission (EC) had approved its purchase of global production and distribution Endemol Shine Group. Two days later on July 3, Banijay Group announced it had completed its purchased of Endemol Shine Group from The Walt Disney Company and Apollo Global Management, turning Banijay Group into a global international production and distribution titan with upscaled operations, from 16 territories to 22. Three days later on July 6 of that year, following its acquisition of Endemol Shine Group, Banijay Group announced it was rebranding and renaming the company by dropping "Group" from its identity simplified as "Banijay" and launched a new identity along with its new iconic "B" logo.
In August 2020, Banijay Rights signed a first-look deal with the production company Nineteen11.
In September 2020, Banijay under its German division Banijay Germany, announced it had acquired a majority stake in SR Management GmbH. Two days later in that same month, Banijay announced it had launched a division dedicated to all areas of commercial activity named Banijay Brands.
In November 2020, Banijay, under its French division Banijay France, announced it had entered a joint venture with Malika Abdellaou (former managing director of Newen Connect, former deputy director of TV sales at EuropaCorp and former senior acquisition manager at Disney EMEA), to establish a new scripted production company named Marathon Studio, enhancing Banijay France's scripted portfolio and reviving the Marathon name after four years.
In January 2021, Banijay, under its German division Banijay Germany, announced the Endemol Shine Germany label had launched a reality production label in partnership with renowned TV producer Rainer Laux named Rainer Laux Productions.
In April 2021, Banijay, under its Banijay Germany division announced a new brand and talent label dedicated to live entertainment, marketing, artist management and digital content named Banijay Live Artist Brand. Later in the same month, Banijay announced it had acquired Paris-based independent animation production company Monello Productions from ITV Studios-owned production company Tetra Media Studios.
In May 2021, Banijay under its German division Banijay Germany, it was expanding its portfolio with label Banijay Productions Germany entering the documentary genre and establishing a new documentary division based in Cologne named Doc.Banijay.
In July 2021, Banijay, under its French division Banijay France, announced it had established a French talent agency label named Banijay Talent. A week later Banijay announced its Iberian division, Banijay Iberia, had launched a new creative agency label named IMA.
In that same month, Banijay announced its Benelux division, Banijay Benelux, had expanded its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in leading Amsterdam based Dutch sports producer Southfields, and would combine it with their sports production label Endemol Shine Sport to strengthen the company's position in the sports genre.
In September 2021, Banijay, under its American division Banijay Americas, announced the launch of Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, a new Latin American and US Hispanic production studio based in Mexico City dedicated to premium Latin American content.
In October 2021, Banijay Germany founded fiction label Good Humor.
In October 2021, Banijay, under its British division Banijay UK, announced it had launched a new scripted production label named Double Dutch.
In November 2021, Banijay announced it was bringing its three children's production companies Zodiak Kids & Family, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family and Monello Productions into one group by launching a new division named Banijay Kids & Family.
On December 15, 2021, Banijay, under its global distribution division Banijay Rights, announced it had signed a package deal with Viaplay to access Banijay's Nordic premium drama scripted titles.
In February 2022, Endemol Shine Boomdog announced the launch of its post-production studio. This month also saw the creation of Yasuke Production, focusing 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.
In March 2022, Banijay under its Italian division Banijay Italy, announced it had acquired Rome-based Italian premium scripted production company Groenlandia Group along with Groenlandia's own labels Ascent Film and Lynn.
In April 2022, Banijay announced it was further growing its premium scripted offering via a partnership between Banijay Iberia and Pokeepsie Films.
In May 2022, it was announced Banijay would go public through an agreement with a SPAC investment group.
In July 2022, Banijay, under its German division Banijay Germany, announced it was acquiring German television production division Sony Pictures Film und Fernseh Produktions GmbH. Two months later in October of that same year, Banijay Germany completed its acquisition of Sony Pictures Film und Fernseh Produktions GmbH and rebranded it to Noisy Pictures. In August 2023 Banijay Germany decided to shutter Noisy Pictures, with series such as "Die Höhle der Löwen" (aka The Lion's Den, the German adaptation of Dragon's Den) moving under Banijay Germany's subsidiary Endemol Shine Germany.
In October 2022, Banijay entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed (Scheme) to acquire Australian production & distribution company Beyond International. The acquisition was completed on December 30, 2022, and Beyond was delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange on January 3, 2023. Two weeks later in that same month, Banijay, through its British division Banijay UK, acquired Mam Tor Productions.
In December 2022, Banijay under its American division Banijay Americas, announced the acquisition of Brazilian studio A Fábrica.
In January 2023, Banijay, under it Dutch division Banijay Benelux, announced it had expanded its scripted activities by acquiring a majority stake in Belgian independent scripted production company Jonnydepony.
In February 2023, Banijay Iberia and the football league, LaLiga, announced they were joining forces to launch LaLiga Studios.
In April 2023, EndemolShine Germany and Tim Mälzer (television chef, restaurateur, and presenter) came together to found Potatohead Pictures, with a focus on developing new culinary formats.
On 15 June 2023, 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. The following day, Banijay announced that its French division Banijay France had launched the scripted production label named Screen Line Productions.
Six days later in that same month, following Banijay's parent company FL Entertainment's investment in The Independents and Banijay's acquisition of Balich Wonder Studio, FL Entertainment announced the launch of a live events arm, Banijay Events. The creation of the new division would capitalise on the company's expertise and success in content production, as well as expand its capabilities within the wider entertainment industry. Six days later in that same month, Banijay announced its British division Banijay UK, via the Banijay UK Growth Fund, invested in London-based British drama production company Rabbit Track Pictures.
In July 2023, Banijay announced its German division Banijay Germany had rebranded its creative marketing agency division, Banijay Live Artist Brand (BLAB), to Banijay Media Germany, with the introduction of three pillars - 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 16 October 2023 the formation of a new media holding company and premium content studio, Hyphenate Media Group. Abrego was named CEO, and Longoria Chief Creative Officer. Banijay, made a strategic investment in the new business to accelerate its growth.
Banijay UK announced on 24 October its investment in Esmerelda, the new production venture from actor, comedian and writer Sir Lenny Henry, focusing on broad appeal drama and comedy, with an emphasis on working with under-represented writers, cast and crew.
In November 2023, Banijay CEO, Marco Bassetti, confirmed Banijay's intentions to trigger a significant push into the world of sport under the banner of new division, Banijay Sports. Banijay also unveiled its all-new branded content department, Banijay Branded Entertainment, tasked with further evolving the group’s global efforts in this space.
On 11 January 2024, it was announced Beyond International's former owner Mikael Borglund had purchased back Beyond Productions. 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.
In February 2024, Banijay Asia announced its strategic expansion into South East Asia, with the formation of a new entity, CreAsia Studio, with a focus on local collaborations to create local originals and produce local Banijay IP adaptations.
On 15 May 2024, Banijay announced it had rebranded as Banijay Entertainment, as part of FL Entertainment's rebranding to Banijay Group. The group-wide rebrand included Banijay Entertainment and Banijay Live, encompassing its production, distribution and live events businesses. Both divisions are led by CEO Marco Bassetti.
In September 2024, Banijay Entertainmen, through its Banijay Kids & Family division, purchased a majority stake in French animation studio Procidis. That same month, Banijay Entertainment announced that its American division Banijay Americas had established a premium documentary production label named BD4. Eight days later, Banijay Entertainment announced its Nordic division, Banijay Nordics, was restructuring operations in Sweden by merging the three labels, Jarowskij, Yellow Bird and Meter Television into two labels with Jarowskij's scripted division being merged with Yellow Bird to become Jarowskij/Yellow Bird, whilst Meter Television was merged into Jarowskij's unscripted division effectively becoming Meter/Jarowskij.
In October 2024, Banijay Entertainment's Iberian division, Banijay Iberia, launched new sports division, Banijay Iberia Sports.
That same month, Screentime New Zealand, launched Remarkable Studios NZ. Based in Queenstown, a region known for its diverse landscapes and breathtaking backdrops, the unit will stand as the town’s largest wet weather cover and first studio facility.
On January 2025, highlighting Banijay Americas’ strengths and strategic initiatives, Endemol Shine Boomdog and A Fábrica joined forces to launch A Fábrica Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, a premier content label in Mexico City.
In late-January 2025, Banijay Entertainment announced live entertainment division, Banijay Live, had acquired multimedia live experience producer Lotchi. A month later in February 2025, Banijay Live launched a new unit dedicated to developing Banijay Entertainment's IP portfolio into games and exhibitions named Banijay Live Studio.
In March 2025, Banijay Entertainment, through its French division Banijay France, announced the merger of its scripted production division Banijay Studios France with fellow scripted production subsidiary Shine Fiction to form a single scripted powerhouse under the name Shine Fiction.
On 27 April 2025, Reuters reported Banijay Entertainment was in early-stage talks for a takeover offer for British broadcaster ITV plc.
In October 2025, EndemolShine Boomdog, part of Banijay Americas, announced its expansion of production operations into Colombia, building on its track record across Mexico and the U.S. Hispanic market, and further growing its presence in Latin America.
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