The sale of Endemol Shine is off. Senior staff members at the production and distribution giant were told this week that the company’s co-owners, 21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management, have decided to suspend the process, a source with knowledge of the matter said Tuesday.
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French TV group Banijay is in advanced talks to acquire production and distribution giant Endemol Shine, Variety has confirmed. The deep-pocketed Banijay Group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is controlled by Stéphane Courbit’s LOV Group and De Agostini Group’s DeA Communications. French media giant Vivendi also holds a significant stake.
“In light of continued press speculation, ITV confirms that it has no current intention of making a bid,” the U.K. TV giant says about the producer of Big Brother, MasterChef and Black Mirror.
The potential syndicated show based on the Essence brand would target women with topics ranging from beauty to entrepreneurship.
Count Sony Pictures Entertainment and Lionsgate among the early suitors for Endemol Shine, the global production group that is home to such well-traveled series as Big Brother, MasterChef and Black Mirror.
