TV giant Banijay is the latest company to be linked to ITV, according to reports.
The Financial Times claims the France-based Banijay Group — which is no stranger to acquisitions — has held early talks with the U.K. network about buying the entire business or its coveted ITV Studios operation.
ITV Studios, among world’s biggest TV production companies, is behind the likes of “Love Island,” “Fool Me Once” and current BAFTA TV Award nominees “Rivals” and “Mr Bates Vs the Post Office.” Banjiay produces shows such as “Peaky Blinders.”
The FT reports that, were Banijay to attempt a full takeover of ITV is would look for third-part investors to help get the deal over the line, but asserts that all discussion are at a very early stage.
There has been mounting speculation about the future of ITV Studios and potential suitors. Earlier this year, reports claimed that the Abu Dhabi-backed investment group RedBird IMI, led by CEO Jeff Zucker, had held talks with ITV over merging ITV Studios with All3Media, which Redbird acquired in 2024 for $1.45 billion. The deal, no news of which have emerged since, would create one of the biggest production companies in Europe.
In 2020 Banijay became a global TV powerhouse when it closed a major deal to acquire Endemol Shine Group for $2.2 billion.
ITV’s recently saw its share price rise following the news that its studio arm could be spun off, pushing its value to more than $4 billion.
Both Banjiay and ITV declined to comment on the latest reports.
