Fiction
Amala Thomas, who epitomised professionalism in the media, is no more
MUMBAI: Creative Producer and senior television professional Amala Thomas, who was the very epitome of professionalism all her life, is no more.
The creative genius passed away on 17 March 2017 of a brief illness quite suddenly as she was very active. Amala is survived by her mother, sisters and brother, and the large number of friends whose lives she impacted in different ways, and the teams at all the production houses that she worked with and led so ably.
Amala was the Business Head for Television at NeelaTelefilms until her untimely demise.
“I have had the privilege of knowing Amala for the past twenty years. A thorough professional, it was her core value as a wonderful human being that made her stand apart. As the Business Head for television at Neela Telefilms, she led the team by example. Amala was extremely committed to her work. Once she took over a responsibility, I could rest assured that it would be done to perfection – she was someone I could trust without a doubt. Amala has left an indelible mark on all those of us whose lives she touched.God Bless her soul. R.I.P”, said her colleague Asit Modi of Neela Telefilms.
A post-graduate in Mass Communications from the University of Hyderabad, Amala had more than 20 years of experience in both the creative and technical aspects of broadcast television. She worked as a Senior Manager with broadcaster Sony Entertainment Television & subsequently as a Producer and Business Head with production companies such as Hats Off Productions, Show M and Shashi Sumeet Productions. She was known to adhere to exacting standards as a Producer and was a successful and popular team leader.
“Amala represented everything good about our television industry. Great ethics, intense commitment and fair practice. She was a beacon of light in situations that needed clarity. Her gentle yet strong demeanour made her a much loved colleague and loyal friend. I miss her terribly,” said Ravina Raj Kohli.
Amala was also a tremendous peoples’ person. She believed in the potential of her team members and helped them grow in their jobs even as she inculcated in them the high values that everyone aspires for.
A few years ago, Amala was responsible for bringing a unique educational programme called ‘Genius Mind Technology’ to India and worked hard for it to be adopted across schools here, hoping that it would help transform the lives of all school going children. She was also a guest lecturer at the University of Bubhaneshwar, Odisha.
A sample of her work abilities and relationships in the industry is available in the recommendations on her LinkedIn Profile.
Some of which are reproduced here: “Amala is an extremely good communicator and coordinator, qualities particularly useful for TV and Movie production. She is time conscious and result oriented.Most importantly she is very trustworthy and sensitive.” – Kunal Dasgupta.
“Amala Is an energetic television programmer and creative director. She has varied and unique ideas and works diligently at executing them. She brought calm, order and process to the business. She is an asset to any organisation she works for.” – Sunil Lulla.
“Amala is a good problem shooter and has the knack to extract the best from the team. She inculcated good work ethics among teams and her ability to guide and lead teams in an organized manner is commendable. She had good working relationships with the people she interacted with that naturally got her the respect she deserved.” – J D Majethia.
“For most of us, who have reported to her across the many responsible portfolios she has held, she was always the quintessential “GO-TO person” for just about everything. I have imbibed – a great deal of professionalism, commitment, punctuality and a ‘never say die’ attitude from her!” – Mohit Bakshi.
As those who know her remember her at her memorial meeting, their thoughts go back to the wonderful person that she was. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.
Fiction
Banijay merges with All3Media in $6.65 billion deal
Marco Bassetti will lead the combined company as CEO
PARIS: Six years after acquiring Endemol Shine at the height of the pandemic, Banijay has struck again. The European production heavyweight is merging with All3Media in a deal that will create a television titan with $6.65 billion in revenue and redraw the contours of a fast-consolidating market.
The combined company will trade under the Banijay name and be owned 50 per cent each by Banijay Group and RedBird IMI, which acquired All3Media in 2024. The transaction is expected to close by autumn, subject to regulatory approvals.
Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti, will take the top job at the enlarged group. All3Media CEO Jane Turton becomes deputy CEO. RedBird IMI CEO Jeff Zucker will serve as chairman.
The logic is scale. Broadcasters are commissioning less, streamers are tightening budgets and global buyers are fewer but bigger. Against that backdrop, heft matters. The merged entity will generate roughly $6.65 billion in revenues based on 2024 figures, giving it sharper elbows in rights negotiations and deeper pockets for franchise-building.
“Entrepreneurialism, ambition and creativity” remain core to Banijay’s DNA, Bassetti said, flagging plans to invest more heavily in new intellectual property, live events and emerging platforms. Turton struck a similarly bullish note, pointing to All3Media’s journey from a 2003 start-up to a global supplier of hit formats and high-end drama.
Between them, the two groups control a formidable slate. Banijay’s catalogue spans MasterChef, Big Brother, Survivor, Black Mirror, Peaky Blinders and Deal or No Deal. All3Media’s labels include Studio Lambert, producer of The Traitors and Squid Game: The Challenge; Two Brothers, behind The Tourist; and Neal Street, currently producing the forthcoming Beatles biopics directed by Sam Mendes for Sony.
The back catalogue is equally muscular. Banijay Rights holds some 220,000 hours, while All3Media International adds around 35,000 hours, forming one of the industry’s largest libraries.
Banijay, controlled by French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit and listed in Amsterdam, counts more than 130 production companies across 25 territories. All3Media operates over 40 labels, with strong positions in the UK, US and Germany. The enlarged group will also lean into live entertainment, building on Banijay’s Balich Wonder Studio, which produced the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and the Independents.
The deal marks a shift in tone. As recently as October, Bassetti suggested that mergers and acquisitions were not a priority. But the drumbeat of consolidation has grown louder. Mediawan has moved for Peter Chernin’s North Road. David Ellison’s Paramount has agreed to a $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros, with plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount plus. ITV has explored selling its media and entertainment arm to Comcast-owned Sky, though talks have reportedly slowed.
