Production giant Banijay is reportedly mulling an acquisition of ITV or its studio arm.
According to The Financial Times (FT), Banijay has entered early-stage talks to buy the UK broadcaster. A deal would either be an outright takeover or just an offer for its production business, ITV Studios, which makes shows such as Love Island, Rivals, Fool Me Once and Mr Bates Vs the Post Office.
Should the deal materialise as a full takeover, the FT reports that Banijay would need to bring in third-party investors.
The FT reported that Banijay has held talks with CVC, the private equity group, about financing a potential deal.
Banijay Group, controlled by French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit, produces programmes such as Peaky Blinders and Big Brother.
There has been ongoing speculation about the possible sale of ITV Studios. Shares in ITV have risen by about 10% this year amid talk about a possible deal. Some City analysts have argued the studios business could be worth more than all of ITV’s current £3bn market value.
Banijay rival All3Media has been closely linked with ITV after reports this year suggested they had explored merging their production assets.
The FT said that Banijay’s discussions with ITV are at a very early stage with no guarantee that they will progress to any deal.
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