Banijay Closes Endemol Shine Acquisition, Forming Global Production Giant

Nicola Bamford, CEO of Endemol Shine’s international operations, joins the crowd of executives heading for the door following the $2.2 billion acquisition of the group, which produces such international hits as Black Mirror and MasterChef, by French company Banijay.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentIn the aftermath of its Endemol Shine takeover, newly formed France-based European content powerhouse Banijay has announced that Pilar Blasco, former CEO of Endemol Shine Iberia, has been appointed CEO of its Spain-headquartered unit Banijay Iberia, while Paolo Bassetti remains in place as CEO of Banijay Italy.The merger led by Marco Bassetti — who is CEO of the combined group — is prompting a complex restructuring process across the board.Banijay

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentLondon-based financier and producer Anton has tapped Cecile Gaget, a well-respected French film executive, as president of international production and distribution.Gaget, who will start at Anton on Oct.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorLongtime Gaumont sales chief Cecile Gaget is joining Euro producer-financier Anton as President of International Production and Distribution from October 1, 2020.Gaget most recently served as Gaumont’s Head of International Production and Distribution, overseeing international acquisitions, English and local-language productions and foreign remakes. She also set up the company’s U.S.

Tenet” and Disney’s “Mulan” and the scrapped theatrical release of Paramount’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run” have left exhibitors in dire straits.Despite Europe’s robust local film industry, Hollywood movies tend to account for the bulk of the summer box office. Even in France, arguably the continent’s biggest nation of moviegoers, the market share of U.S.

Zizi Jeanmaire was a French modernist ballerina who won international acclaim for her sexually suggestive dancing in the ballet “Carmen,” choreographed by her husband, Roland Petit. She later appeared in the Hollywood films “Hans Christian Andersen” (1952) with Danny Kaye, and “Anything Goes” (1956) with Bing Crosby.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorBanijay France CEO François de Brugada is to assume control of Endemol Shine’s French operations following the two groups’ merger earlier this month, prompting the departure of Endemol Shine France president Nicolas Coppermann.Brugada has worked at Banijay since its inception in 2008 and has been the company’s French CEO since 2015.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentFollowing Banijay’s takeover of Endemol Shine Group, Nicolas Coppermann, president of Endemol Shine France, will be stepping down at the end of July, with François de Brugada taking the helm of Banijay France.As CEO of Banijay France, de Brugada will spearhead the combined unscripted and scripted footprint and lead the company’s talent base.Post takeover, Banijay France will comprise 10 production outfits, including Adventure Line Productions, Endemol

Naman Ramachandran French broadcaster TF1 will air entertainment show “Good Singers,” hosted by TV personality Anthony Lambert, from July 17.The weekly prime time show is based on Istanbul-headquartered distributor Global Agency’s original format “Is That Really Your Voice?,” created by Izzet Pinto, in which a panel must select the talented singers from a group based purely on their appearance.Pinto said: “The idea for the show came from watching the singer Susan Boyle, who rose to fame on a

Peter White Television EditorEXCLUSIVE: Gaumont, the production company behind series including Netflix’s Narcos and Apple TV+’s Stillwater, is shaking up its U.S. division with Nicolas Atlan taking over and Gene Stein exiting.The French company has handed oversight of its U.S.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentBanijay’s $2.2 billion takeover of Endemol Shine, an Anglo-Dutch group twice its size, has given birth to a rare beast at a critical time.

first announced last October, makes Banijay the largest TV production company outside of the U.S., enjoying a larger content catalog than international giants like BBC Studios.

Alfredo Morelos to focus on Rangers. But the Ibrox assistant manager has also confessed that a suitable bid made to the club for the Colombian could see the striker leave.Morelos has rejected a move to Qatar, but his future remains sharply in debate with French outfit Rennes interested in his services and agents have also clashed over unsubstantiated and subsequently denied claims made in the Italian media that the hitman wants to go to Serie A.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentM6 Group, the second biggest commercial network in France, has acquired Epithete Films, a Paris-based production company boasting a catalogue of 25 feature films, including the hit family adventure franchise “Belle and Sébastien.”The banner’s library also includes Gilles Legrand’s “Malabar Princess,” “Tu seras mon fils” and Patrice Leconte’s “Ridicule.” Epithete Films is headed by Frédéric Brillion and Legrand.“With this targeted acquisition, M6 Group

Nancy Tartaglione International Box Office Editor/Senior ContributorEcho Studio, the Paris-based international production firm dedicated to creating content with social impact, has set three new projects that are aimed to inspire change and action.

Peter White Television EditorÉric Rochant, the creator of breakout French spy drama The Bureau, is prepping his U.S.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorStarzplay has acquired the second season of Ramy Yousseff’s Golden Globe-winning comedy Ramy for the UK, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. The streaming arm of U.S.