Banijay and Mediawan Eye Lionsgate Studios Takeover Lionsgate Studios, the entertainment company whose library spans the “Hunger Games” and “John Wick” franchises, has attracted acquisition interest from European media powerhouses Banijay and Mediawan. The Banijay interest was first reported by Reuters, with Bollore, the French conglomerate that holds a controlling stake in pay-TV operator Canal+, confirmed to be out of the bidding process. The studio, valued at approximately $3.8 billion, has engaged an investment bank to evaluate potential offers, though no deal is guaranteed, and Lionsgate could ultimately choose to remain independent. Banijay, the company behind hit franchises such as “Big Brother” and “Survivor,” is considering a bid, though any formal approach may be delayed due to its ongoing integration of All3Media, which it merged with earlier this year. Last week, Banijay chair Jeff Zucker told Variety that while the company is currently focused on the newly integrated entity, it remains open to future opportunities. “We’ll look for other opportunities as they come up,” Zucker said, emphasizing the group’s “opportunistic” approach to acquisitions. Lionsgate’s extensive catalog, which includes the “Twilight Saga” franchise and the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” — a film that grossed over $1 billion worldwide — makes it an attractive target. The studio’s library would add scripted film and TV intellectual property to Banijay’s predominantly unscripted-format business. Mediawan, which has been expanding its presence in English-language markets through ventures like Plan B, See-Saw Films, and its recent acquisition of North Road, sees a Lionsgate acquisition as a logical next step.#canal_plus #banijay #mediawan #lionsgate_studios #jeff_zucker
