Billionaire media magnate in France foresees significant mergers and acquisitions reshaping the landscapes of TV and gaming industries
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Stepping Up the Game: Banijay Eyeing Bold Moves in TV and Gaming Markets
Stephane Courbit, the mastermind behind Banijay, has hinted at a new era for the media powerhouse, aiming to shake up the television and online gaming industries with transformative M&A deals. This shift comes as the company considers an offer for UK rival ITV, though Courbit remained tight-lipped about the talks, first reported by the Financial Times.
"Everybody's watching, everybody is talking," Courbit shared, hinting at a wave of consolidation sweeping the sector, similar to the music or advertising industries. Frédéric Riahi, Banijay's CEO, corroborated this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity for scale in the industry to cater to the content demands of large US streamers.
Founded by French billionaire Courbit in 2008, Banijay has come a long way, rapidly expanding by acquiring rival businesses. The company went public in 2022, with a special purpose acquisition vehicle backed by Vivendi and an investment group controlled by Bernard Arnault and his family.
Courbit expressed frustration with his company's stock's limited liquidity—a situation he believes will change, bolstering Banijay's ability to execute larger deals. Such acquisitions could include a majority stake in luxury marketing firm The Independents, as suggested by Banijay's option to increase its stake from 14% to 51% in 2026.
Banijay's plans are ambitious, aiming for revenues of €7 billion by 2028 and an adjusted EBITDA of over €1.2 billion. To achieve these financial targets, the group plans to focus on growing its online gaming business in markets where it can garner a top-three position, particularly in Africa and South America, while ruling out any attempt to break into the US market.
One thing is for sure: Banijay is gearing up for a significant expansion in the European media landscape. With its diverse divisions, including Banijay Entertainment, Banijay Live, and Banijay Gaming, the company is poised to explore synergies, such as luxury brands wanting to venture into entertainment, and leverage its strong content library to develop live experiences and branded games.
As the streaming landscape evolves and traditions shift, Banijay is prepared to adapt, remaining confident in its ability to navigate the challenges faced by the TV production industry. With its eyes on the future, Banijay is ready to carve its path in a rapidly changing media world.
In the realm of media, Banijay is positioning itself for significant growth, particularly in TV and online gaming markets, with plans to execute transformative mergers and acquisitions in line with the consolidation wave sweeping the sector. To fuel this expansion, the company is looking at strategic investments in technology and exploring synergies with luxury brands, aiming to grow its online gaming business in key markets such as Africa and South America.
