production giant banijay has struck a deal to acquire scripted and non-scripted producer/distributor Beyond International (MythBusters), the company said Wednesday.
Beyond has been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange since 1987, but will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Banijay and its shares will no longer be publicly traded. The head office is located in Dublin and operates internationally.
Banijay has grown through acquisitions over the years, including the acquisition of Zodiak Media in 2016 and Endemol Shine Group in 2020. Banijay – owned by FL Entertainment, which listed on Euronext Amsterdam in July – said the deal complemented would be on its existing content catalog of over 130,000 hours of content.
Beyond Productions listed the recently announced titles as “Back in the Groove, a new dating series for Hulu co-produced with Walt Disney Television Alternative; franchise for multiple territories, Love it or name it Australia; the eight-part script series Too many (co-produced with EQ Media) screening on Freevee USA and ABC Australia; and several new series to be announced in production in a number of markets.”
“Beyond Rights is home to more than 8,000 hours of intellectual property,” the company emphasized, including: Highway through hell, Heavy Rescue: 401, Huge technical errors, Halifax: Retaliation, MythBusters and Deadly Women.
Banijay, led by CEO Marco Bassetti, already consists of more than 120 manufacturing companies in 22 territories. Past International Managing Director and CEO Mikael Borglund will remain with the company in his current position.
Bassetti stated: “As content demand continues to grow, catalog remains essential, and acquiring Beyond would significantly increase our offering. Primarily, by strengthening our IP and production portfolio in the Anglophone and Factual space, with Complementary content from Beyond, the deal can strengthen our position as a leading go-to for both customers and commercial partners.”
Borglund added: “The Beyond board is fully behind the deal, which will see us join the Banijay group and strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive market. Joining a leading global company like this is a very exciting opportunity for us and we look forward to working together on new opportunities that lie ahead.”
The companies hope the deal closes in late 2022 or early 2023. The so-called Scheme Implementation Deed for the deal remains subject to certain conditions, including shareholder approval, court approval and “other customary closing conditions.” ”