Satisfaction acquires SPT France

Satisfaction Group has acquired Sony Pictures Television (SPT)’s non-scripted business in France.

Wayne Garvie

Satisfaction Group, part of the Arthur World Participation Group (AWPG), has taken 100% of SPT Production France and its sister prodco Starling.

SPT has subsequently acquired a 20% stake in the newly enlarged Satisfaction Group, making it an 80/20 joint venture.

The deal, financial details of which were not disclosed, means Satisfaction Group will have exclusive access to SPT’s non-scripted format catalogue in France, which includes such titles as The Newlywed Game, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Dragons’ Den and Brainiest.

SPT, meanwhile, will become Satisfaction’s exclusive international distribution partner outside of France, giving the company greater access to North America and the UK.

Satisfaction Group will continue to invest in and develop SPT France, which will be renamed Satisfy, and Starling’s non-scripted business in France.

The transaction marks the third acquisition by Satisfaction Group in the past 12 months, following those of La Grosse Equipe and Enibas in France.

Satisfaction Group specialises in reality shows in France, annually delivering up to six daily shows in a variety of genres of non-scripted formats for the country’s main TV channels. It is led by CEO Judith Aboulkheir and was founded by Arthur Essebag.

Wayne Garvie, president of international production at SPT, said: “Sony Pictures Television and Satisfaction Group share an important aspiration: a desire to entertain the world with great television.

“Now, more than ever, the world needs great entertainment, so we are delighted to be joining up with Arthur and his fantastic team. There’s no better partner for SPT France as we look to recalibrate and reinvigorate our presence in France. This JV demonstrates our shared optimism about the future of our industry, in France and throughout the world.”

Essebag added: “The business of entertainment has become faster moving and is ever more connected as digital distribution removes borders and barriers and audiences are truly global.

“We are a major player in France, a country with huge creative and cultural success and heritage, and this partnership will allow us to continue our journey with even greater resources and capabilities.”

AWPG was advised on the transaction by GCA Altium, Bayle & Hasbanian, CMS Francis Lefebvre and France Consultants.