European regulators gave the green light to Banijay’s acquisition of Endemol Shine, the last remaining hurdle to complete the transaction.
In October of last year and after intense rumors, Banijay announced an agreement to acquire Endemol Shine for US$ 2.2 billion.
And this Wednesday, finally, the European Commission gave the green light for the operation to be completed.
“The Commission concluded that the operation will not generate competition problems given the presence of a sufficient number of alternative actors with portfolios of similar content in the countries concerned,” the institution said in a statement.
The agreement had already received the green light from the US regulatory authorities, which leaves the way open for the transaction to be completed at last.
At the time of purchase, Banijay had established a period of six months to receive all authorizations. The term was finally eight months.
With this purchase, Banijay adds 120 production companies worldwide, 66,000 hours of content and properties such as MasterChef, Black Mirror, Big Brother and Peaky Blinders.
This, in addition to the 44,000 hours of content, 80 production companies and properties such as Survivor and Temptation Island that Banijay already owned, making it the largest independent producer in the world, second only to the majors of Hollywood.
Banijay Group is owned by LDH (67.1%) and Vivendi (32.9%). LDH, in turn, is a holding that encompasses LOV Group (52%), De Agostini Group (36%) and Fimalac (12%).
“The combination of the resources of these two companies will instantly strengthen our position in the global market, and our capabilities in all genres will further define us as a world-class supplier worldwide,” the CEO of Banijay, Marco Bassetti.
“This deal brings us to a whole new and exciting chapter and a new improved global content house with many opportunities ahead,” said Sophie Turner, CEO of the Endemol Shine Group.
