Satisfaction Group & Sony Pictures Television Enter JV

Arthur Essebag’s Satisfaction Group has acquired Sony Pictures Television Production France (SPTF) and Starling, while SPT takes a 20 percent stake in the newly enlarged Satisfaction Group.

Satisfaction Group will continue to invest in and develop SPTF and Starling’s non-scripted business in France, including key formats The Newlywed Game, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Dragons’ Den and Brainiest.

Alongside SPTF (to be renamed Satisfy) and Starling, the Satisfaction Group houses the Satisfaction television Agency (entertainment, studio and live), Ah! Production (reality, factual shows and documentaries), La Grosse Équipe (reality, factual and corporate video productions) and Enibas (weather and nature shows, talk shows and corporate video productions).

Wayne Garvie, president of international production at Sony Picture Television, said, “Sony Pictures Television and Satisfaction Group share an important aspiration: a desire to entertain the world with great television. Now, more than ever, the world needs great entertainment, so we are delighted to be joining up with Arthur and his fantastic team. There’s no better partner for SPTF as we look to recalibrate and reinvigorate our presence in France. This JV demonstrates our shared optimism about the future of our industry, in France and throughout the world.”

Essebag, founder of Satisfaction and Arthur World Participation Group, said, “We are incredibly excited to welcome Sony Pictures Television to our group. The business of entertainment has become faster-moving and is ever more connected as digital distribution removes borders, barriers and audiences are truly global. We are a major player in France, a country with huge creative and cultural success and heritage, and this partnership will allow us to continue our journey with even greater resources and capabilities. We have outstanding momentum right now and I am convinced that working with a brilliant global partner will allow us to export our creative excellence to fresh audiences. This JV represents a strategic step forward to expanding our success globally while providing significant additional opportunities in France and I look forward to realizing the incredible power of our combined businesses.”