Banijay Acquires Nordisk Film TV

PARIS: Banijay Entertainment is acquiring Nordisk Film’s TV production and distribution divisions for an undisclosed sum, it was announced this morning.

Nordisk Film TV produces 1,500 hours of content a year, with a consolidated turnover of 50 million euros. Based in Copenhagen, it develops its own television IP and has produced versions of several international formats. The international distribution division Nordisk Film TV World, meanwhile, has sold its titles to more than 50 countries worldwide. The Nordisk Film TV brand will be brought over to Banijay and will continue to be managed by Jacob Houlind and Peter Hansen. The two executives joined Nordisk in 2006 as CEO and CCO, respectively, to kick-start the company’s TV-production efforts. The deal also includes stakes in Respirator Media & Development in Denmark and Solar Television in Finland.

Guillaume de Vergès, the CEO of Banijay, stated: "This acquisition is a major step in Banijay’s international development. Nordisk Film TV’s ability to create and develop new successful formats is a significant asset for our company, whose ambition is more than ever to be a key player in international media markets." 

Houlind added: "We are delighted to become part of the Banijay Group. It has been our intention to maintain and expand the international outreach of our company’s creativity and output. As part of Nordisk Film we have gone an important, part of the way but, allied with Banijay’s ambitions we are now able to extend our business both on the Nordic as well as the global stage.”

Banijay’s global network already includes Air Prod, ALJ, Depeche Prod and Jesprod in France; Cuarzo in Spain; Intelegencia in Russia; Brainpool in Germany; and Angel City Factor in the U.S. It is majority owned by Lov Group, the family holding company of Stéphane Courbit, alongside Groupe Arnault, Ifil, DEA Capital and AMS Industries.