It’s a done deal. RedBird IMI and Banijay have completed their $8 billion merger, led by Jeff Zucker and Marco Bassetti, respectively.
With the Euro regulatory process wrapped, together they will run the production-distribution behemoth, which is headquartered in London and publicly traded. The merger brings together Banijay’s stable of hit shows and formats, including “Peaky Blinders” and “Big Brother,” with All3Media‘s, which span “The Traitors” and “Undercover Boss.”
It was only two years ago that RedBird IMI acquired All3Media from Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global. Banijay considered putting in a bid but ultimately refrained. Now, a year after Bassetti and Zucker first discussed joining forces, Bassetti will lead the new entity, called Banijay Entertainment, with Zucker as chair and All3Media’s CEO Jane Turton joining as deputy CEO.
In a call with Variety, shortly after it was revealed the deal had closed, Zucker confirmed the All3Media name is set to be retired. He and Bassetti also spoke on how they plan to target around $60 million in synergies and what’s next for the newly minted company.
Congratulations on closing the deal. Did the regulatory process move quicker than or about the same as you’d imagined?
