Euro production giant Banijay set to acquire Australia’s Beyond International

Banijay is set to acquire producer-distributor Beyond International for an undisclosed sum, the France-headquartered content production giant revealed on Wednesday.

Marco Bassetti

Under the deal, which is still subject to regulatory approvals, Banijay will take full control of Beyond International’s group of companies and departments, with “all elements” of Beyond International being folded into Banijay.

With the acquisition, Beyond International, which is currently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, will cease to trade on the Sydney-based stock exchange and become a wholly owned subsidiary of Banijay.

Beyond International’s MD and CEO, Mikael Borglund, will remain in his current role, said the companies.

Beyond International has a library of more than 8,000 hours of IP. Its key distribution titles from in-house production and third-party producers include Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401, Massive Engineering Mistakes, Halifax: Retribution, MythBusters and Deadly Women.

Mikael Borglund

Meanwhile, its production company, Beyond Productions, is behind series such as Hulu’s dating series Back in the Groove and Love It or List It Australia.

“As content demand continues to soar, catalogue remains key, and in acquiring Beyond, we would take our offering up considerably,” said Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay.

“Primarily bolstering our IP and production portfolio in the English-language and factual space, with Beyond’s complementary content, the deal can enhance our position as a leading go-to for clients and commercial partners alike.”

Borglund added: “The Beyond board is very much supportive of the deal, which will see us join Banijay’s group, bolstering its standing in what is an increasingly competitive market. Joining a leading global business like this is a very exciting opportunity for us and we look forward to collaborating on newfound opportunities ahead.”

The deal is subject to certain conditions including Beyond shareholders’ approval, court approval and other customary closing conditions. The companies said they plan to close at the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023.

For Banijay, the acquisition comes after it was taken public in combination with betting company Betclic Everest Group as part of the newly formed entity FL Entertainment.