Fiction
Optimystix becomes 14th Sparks Network member; 1st Asian production house to do so
MUMBAI: Indian television production house Optimystix has added another feather to its cap. It has become the first company in Asia to join the organisation Sparks Network.
Sparks Network was established in 2004 with the aim of fortify the market position for its members who are independent production companies. With its entry, Optimystix becomes the 14th company to join a network that comprises 12 independent producers from Europe and one from South America. Sparks Network aims at creating a stronger position for its members so that sales and profitability go up.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com about the development, Optimystix CEO Rajiv Vyas says, “What gave us the edge as far as being chosen was concerned is the fact that we have a succesful track record in adapting international formats like The Price Is Right and Indian Idol. We are also one of the very few Indian companies that actually markets international formats to Indian broadcasters. This year we will work on three international formats which will include game shows.
“Being a member of Sparks Network will give us access to information and formats. International alliances will allow us to bring the best ideas and concepts from abroad to India. We will also be able to market our own formats abroad. Another advantage is in the area of production process outsourcing. For example we can do the post production work for a show being made by a member for Britain.
“The cost would be much less – a fraction of what one would need to spend in a foreign country and our track record would mean an excellent chance of getting business here. In recent times we have laid more emphasis on improving processes and sytems. This has allowed us to scale up without losing our creativity.”
Sparks Network president Nicola Söderlund says, “The Indian TV market is very dynamic and there is now a lot of attention for foreign formats. Optimystix is the only production company that so far has been able to put foreign formats on air. This year they have three foreign formats in production. They have an international approach, interesting in-house development, excellent relations with all major broadcasters and a leading position in the Indian market – so they fulfill all criteria we have on a Sparks member.”
The network’s stated aim is to facilitate the free exchange of formats. By sharing development costs with other territories the member companies can increase quality and minimise investments. Sparks looks to organise the sales organisations of the member companies in a more efficient way by using direct contacts with local broadcasters through the other members.
The network also serves as a tool to develop project targeted at many territories. Other members include – ATM Grupa (Poland), Crea Video & Moskito TV (Finland), Ena Productions (Greece), Elephant & C:ie (France), Globomedia (Spain), Kanakna Productions (Belgium), MME Entertainment (Germany), Princess Productions (UK), Promofilm (South and Latin America), STV Television (Denmark), Titan Media (Sweden), Triangle Production (Italy) and Zana Media (Switzerland).
All Sparks members have a first right to option any format created by the other members. The members also share marketing and development resources to strengthen each other.
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.
