Banijay sets autumn target to combine sales arm with Endemol Shine International

Cathy Payne

Newly enlarged production and distribution firm Banijay is aiming to have completed the integration of its rights division with Endemol Shine International (ESI) by the autumn, with Cathy Payne set to oversee a finished tape catalogue of almost 90,000 hours.

The widely expected development, which follows Payne’s appointment as CEO at Banijay Rights in April, comes less than month since the French company formally completed its acquisition of Endemol Shine Group.

Payne will integrate the two company’s slates and oversee exploitation across the portfolio of finished tape, including linear and non-linear exploitation, and AVOD efforts. Her remit will span the 88,000+ hour catalogue, which includes hundreds of shows ranging from Mr Bean to Peaky Blinders.

Format flow

Payne, who reports into Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti, will also oversee format sales of shows such as Survivor, MasterChef and Temptation Island in territories where the production giant doesn’t have an on-the-ground presence.

In the 22 territories where Banijay does have a presence, formats will continue to be overseen by Banijay’s content team, currently headed up by the division’s head Lucas Green.

A new website and app is also planned for roll-out in September, with Banijay aiming to have combined teams by autumn, with the integration process commencing this month.

Payne said: “In an increasingly integrated production and exploitation business environment, it is critical that we have all finished tape efforts under a combined strategy.”

Banijay has been moving quickly to restructure its business having acquired Endemol Shine, recently unveiling its management in Italy and Iberia and confirming the departures of execs including ESG’s strategy chief Wim Ponnet, first revealed by TBI.

The French company is now the largest international content producer and distributor outside of the US studios, housing more than 120 production companies across 22 territories. Its brands include Wallander, The Kardashians, The Wall, Hunted and Black Mirror.