Banijay revenues rise to $3.4bn, fuelled by acquisition spree

Marie Antoinette

Global production powerhouse Banijay has reported a 16.5% revenue hike last year to hit €3.2bn ($3.4bn), up on the €2.75bn in 2021.

The earnings report, posted by parent company FL Entertainment, is Banijay’s first full-year results since its $2.2bn acquisition of Endemol Shine Group and since going public at the start of this year.

It also follows an acquisition spree that has seen Banijay adding 15 companies to its ranks, with recent deals including Australian Highway Thru Hell firm Beyond International; UK drama specialist Kindle Entertainment, which is behind Ivy & Bean for Netflix; and Italian animation firm Movimenti Production, which produces Rai’s Topo Gigio.

Other acquisitions have included Sony Pictures Television Germany in July, Romulus producer Grøenlandia Group last March and 30 Coins producer Pokeepsie Films in April.

Banijay’s adjusted EBITDA rose 9% to €472m in 2022, though its profit margin fell by 1% on the previous year to 14.7%.

FL Entertainment’s total revenue stood at €4bn, representing a 15.7% increase on 2021, with EBITDA climbing 10% to €670m. Banijay’s €3.2bn accounted for the majority of this revenue, while FL Entertainment’s other holdings include French online gambling outfit BetClic Everest.

François Riahi, CEO of FL Entertainment, noted that growth in production and distribution revenues was linked to new shows such as scripted titles Marie-Antoinette and SAS Rogue Heroes, as well as “powerful” unscripted IP such as Masterchef, Big Brother and Survivor.

“This production, as well as our successful execution of 15 bolt on acquisitions in 10 territories have driven a 30% increase of our overall content catalog, cementing our position as the number one global independent content producer. We are perfectly positioned in this business to capture market consolidation opportunities going forward,” said Riahi.