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The world’s largest independent television production group, which is behind shows ranging from Peaky Blinders to Big Brother, is reportedly in talks to merge with the UK-based maker of hits TV shows including The Traitors.
Paris-headquartered Banijay Group, which last year considered making a takeover offer for ITV’s studio operation, is said to be in advanced talks with All3Media, which is owned by RedBird IMI, the Abu Dhabi-backed company that is trying to off-load the Telegraph titles to the owner of the Daily Mail.
A merger would create a European TV production behemoth, combining Banijay hits such as MasterChef, Survivor, Pointless, Hunted, and Location, Location, Location with All3Media staples such as Midsomer Murders, Call the Midwife, Great British Menu and Race Across the World.
Reuters first reported news of the talks, citing a source claiming that a potential deal was expected to include All3Media injecting funds into the merged entity because it is the smaller of the two companies.
There were reports last year that ITV and RedBird IMI had held talks to merge ITV Studios with All3Media.
The move prompted Banijay to also explore a potential takeover offer of ITV Studios, the maker of shows including Love Island, I’m a Celebrity and the hit drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, although no formal offer was made.
In November, Comcast, the parent company of Sky, entered talks to buy ITV’s broadcasting business for about £1.6bn.
Banijay made headlines last summer when its investigation into BBC One show MasterChef upheld 45 allegations against host Gregg Wallace, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact, and one against co-presenter John Torode of using racist language. Wallace was dropped from the show over the allegations and Torode has not had his contract renewed.
