Mediawan Acquires Leading German Production-Distribution Group Leonine (EXCLUSIVE)
28.04.2024 - 17:11
/ variety.com
Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent European powerhouse Mediawan has acquired Leonine, a leading production and distribution group active in German-speaking markets. With the acquisition of Leonine, Mediawan will boast a portfolio of 85 labels, a catalogue spanning 30,000 hours of premium content and revenues exceeding €1.3 billion ($1.4 billion). Mediawan‘s worth is now believed to be in the $2-billion range.
The deal is an all-stock transaction; both companies have the same shareholder, the U.S. private equity fund KKR. Mediawan now has a significant footprint in all major European markets, including German-speaking territories which represent the continent’s second largest TV market.
The pact positions Mediawan as one of the world’s biggest super indies with a large proportion of scripted business across prestige series and movies. Mediawan now spans 13 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux and the U.K. in Europe, alongside operations in Africa, Asia and the U.S.
The pan-European group’s iconic IPs and hits include “Call My Agent,” “Miraculous Ladybug,” “Rhythm and Flow France,” “Three Body Problem,” “The Agency,” “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” “HPI,” “One Day” and “Bob Marley: One love.” Pierre-Antoine Capton’s Mediawan and Fred Kogel’s Leonine first partnered in 2020 when Mediawan acquired a 25% stake in Leonine. The two companies had joined forces to acquire Drama Republic, the award-winning U.K. production banner behind “Doctor Foster” and more recently Netflix’s hit romance drama series “One Day.” Taking their collaboration to the next level, Capton will continue serving as CEO of Mediawan, while Kogel will keep leading operations in the German-speaking regions
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