Banijay Group to form £3.8bn television super-indie with The Traitors producers

Chair of merged production company says move creates a ‘world class’ offering across live events and programming

The European maker of television shows ranging from Peaky Blinders to Big Brother is to merge with the UK super-indie behind hits including The Traitors to create a €4.4bn (£3.8bn) global TV production giant.

Paris-headquartered Banijay Group, which last year considered making a takeover offer for ITV’s studio operation, has struck a deal to merge with All3Media, which is owned by RedBird IMI.

The new entity will be the world’s largest independent TV maker, combining Banijay hits such as MasterChef, Survivor, Pointless, Hunted and Location, Location, Location with All3Media staples such as Midsomer Murders, Fleabag, Call the Midwife, Great British Menu and Race Across the World.

Banijay and RedBird IMI, which is in the process of selling the Telegraph titles to the owner of the Daily Mail, will be equal partners in the new merged group. However, Banijay will receive €796m in the deal to reflect that it is a larger business.