Banijay Group grows Australian footprint: Taking over Beyond International

Global production and distribution giant Banijay is to acquire Beyond International Limited, a scripted and non-scripted multi-territory content group launched and still run by chief executive Mikael Borglund.

Beyond has been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange since 1987, but once the acquisition is completed it will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Banijay and its shares will cease to be publicly traded.

Banijay will add Beyond to its existing Australian production businesses – Endemol Shine Australia and Screentime.

Banijay Group's Marco Bassetti

Distribution giant grows

Complimenting Banijay’s existing catalogue of over 130,000 hours, distribution business Beyond Rights is home to more than 8,000 hours of IP. From third-party producers and in-house production, its key distributed titles include, but are not limited to, Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401, Massive Engineering Mistakes, Halifax: Retribution, MythBusters and Deadly Women.

Elsewhere, with a track record of production in English-language markets, Beyond Productions’ latest titles include recently announced Back in the Groove, a new dating series for Hulu, produced in partnership with Walt Disney Television Alternative; multi-territory franchise, Love It or List It Australia; the 8-part scripted series Troppo (co-produced with EQ Media) screening on Freevee USA and ABC Australia; and a number of yet-to-be-announced new series in production across a number of markets.

Beyond International's Mikael Borglund

Beyond International Limited’s managing director and CEO, Mikael Borglund, will remain in his current role.

Marco Bassetti, CEO, Banijay commented: “As content demand continues to soar, catalogue remains key, and in acquiring Beyond, we would take our offering up considerably. Primarily bolstering our IP and production portfolio in the English-language and factual space, with Beyond’s complementary content, the deal can enhance our position as a leading go-to for clients and commercial partners alike.”

Mikael Borglund said: “The Beyond board is very much supportive of the deal, which will see us join Banijay’s group, bolstering its standing in what is an increasingly competitive market. Joining a leading global business like this is a very exciting opportunity for us and we look forward to collaborating on newfound opportunities ahead.”

The acquisition would see Banijay take full control of the Beyond International Limited group of companies and departments, with all elements of the business boarding the former’s own production and distribution footprint.

Banijay is being advised on the transaction by Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

See also: The changing world of Banijay Rights, but old rules apply to new platforms