Banijay UK Productions

Banijay UK Productions Limited,[1][2] trading as Banijay UK, is a British production company. Since 2020, the company has been a subsidiary of Banijay Entertainment. Banijay UK incorporates a number of production brands, including Artists Studio, Darlow Smithson Productions, House of Tomorrow, Initial, Remarkable Entertainment (previously Brighter Pictures and Cheetah Television), Tiger Aspect, Tigress Productions, Zeppotron, and their digital divisions: Endemol Games[3] and Endemol Digital Studio.

Banijay UK Productions Limited
Banijay UK
Formerly
  • Edenspring Limited (Jan–Mar 1983)
  • Edenspring Investments Public Limited Company (1983–1987)
  • Broadcast Communications PLC (1987–1998)
  • GMG Endemol Entertainment PLC (1998–2000)
  • Endemol Entertainment UK PLC (2000–2002)
  • Endemol UK PLC (2002–2011)
  • Endemol UK Limited (2011–2018)
  • Endemol Shine UK Limited (2018–2023)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryTelevision production
Founded19 January 1983; 41 years ago (1983-01-19)
Founders
HeadquartersShepherd's Bush,
London
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
  • Patrick Holland (executive chair and CEO)
  • Sarb Nijjer (chief operating officer)
Number of employees
800
Parent
Divisions
  • BlackLight
  • Conker
  • Double Dutch
  • Douglas Road Productions
  • Dragonfly
  • DSP
  • Electric Robin
  • Esmeralda Productions
  • Garrison Drama Limited
  • Immovable Studios
  • Initial
  • IWC Media
  • Kudos
  • Mam Tor Productions
  • Rabbit Track Pictures
  • Remarkable Entertainment
  • Shine TV
  • Sidney Street
  • Simon's Cat
  • The Comedy Unit
  • The Forge
  • Tiger Aspect Productions
  • What's The Story Bounds
  • Wild Mercury
  • Workerbee Group
  • Zeppotron
Websitebanijayuk.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

After entering a joint venture with 21st Century Fox, additional companies under the new Endemol Shine UK umbrella include Dragonfly, Kudos, and Princess Productions (now defunct). The various television production brands specialize in a broad range of genres including entertainment, reality series, drama series, specialist factual, arts, live events, music entertainment, documentaries, youth shows, and comedy.[4]

In the United Kingdom, Banijay UK is mostly known for producing Big Brother from 2000 onward and also Celebrity Big Brother from 2001 onward.

History

edit

The UK branch of Endemol originated from Peter Bazalgette's sale of his television company Bazal to the Guardian Media Group (GMG) in 1990. In September 1998, Endemol acquired a 50% stake and the division was named GMG Endemol. Endemol bought the company outright from GMG in August 2000.[5]

In April 2000, GMG Endemol Entertainment announced that they had acquired a 50% majority stake in interactive TV digital company Victoria Real.[6]

Since 2000, a series of corporate owners and public stock transactions has culminated in the joint venture of 2014 with 21st Century Fox's Shine Group to form the rebranded Endemol Shine UK, effective January 2015.[7][8]

In 2001, Endemol UK announced that they've acquired London-based television production company Brighter Pictures.[9]

In November 2009, Endemol UK announced that they extended their operations by acquiring three production companies Tiger Aspect Productions, Tigress Productions and Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) from American-based global sports and fashion media company IMG.[10]

On July 28 2014, Endemol UK and their European-based television production and distribution company Endemol had announced that they launched a new production label with Charlie Brooker named House of Tomorrow.

In May 2014, Endemol UK and their parent company Endemol along with its owner Apollo Global Management announced that they're intending to merge Endemol UK's Dutch-based global entertainment production, distribution and parent company Endemol with 21st Century Fox's British-based global production and distribution company Shine Group and Apollo's CORE Media Group to create one global production and distribution company under one group with Endemol's own UK companies will combine with Shine Group's UK production labels.[11][12]

Five months later in October of that same year, Endemol UK's owner Apollo announced that they've finalized an agreement with 21st Century Fox to merge Endemol UK's Dutch-based global entertainment production, distribution and parent company Endemol with British entertainment production and distribution company Shine Group to create a global production and distribution company with Endemol UK being part of the merged company.[13][14][15]

In March 2015 after the completion of the merger between Endemol and Shine Group to form Endemol Shine Group, Endemol Shine UK and their parent company Endemol Shine Group announced that they launched its first scripted production label after the merger named Bandit Television.[16]

In August 2015, Endemol Shine UK had announced that they had brought a controlling stake in London-based animation production outfit Simon's Cat Ltd with the animation company being fully interrogated into their Endemol Beyond division.[17]

On December 4 2015, Endemol Shine UK announced that they launched a new production company unit dedicated to food, factual and lifestyle formats with creative director of Masterchef UK Karen Ross named Sidney Street.[18]

In January 2016, Endemol Shine UK announced that they had acquired the short-form and branded content production house Electric Robin and the digital talent management firm OP Talent.[19]

In May 2017, Endemol Shine UK and their parent company Endemol Shine Group had announced that they're shutting down their production label Princess Productions at the end of 2017 after 20 years with its shows such as Sunday Brunch will move to other Endemol Shine labels.[20]

In July 2017, Endemol Shine UK announced that they've striked a deal with Sharp Jack Media founders and former ITV Studios creative executives Elliot Johnson and Amanda Wilson by launching a new London-based entertainment and factual production company named Sharp Jack TV and placing it as their label with their founders becoming joint MDs along with Sharp Jack Media's existing IP and developments becoming part of the group.[21]

On 30 June 2020, the European Commission approved Banijay's purchase of Endemol Shine UK's parent company Endemol Shine Group.[22] The purchase was completed on 3 July.[23] Endemol Shine UK retained its name until March 2023, when it rebranded under the Banijay name.

On 1 January 2024, Banijay UK announced that RDF Television, RDF West and Fizz would be absorbed into the company, with RDF shows such as Tipping Point being made by Remarkable Entertainment instead.[24]

On 6 June 2024, Banijay UK acquired Caryn Mandabach Productions (CMP) and renamed it Garrison Drama Limited. Caryn Mandabach, who had produced shows in the United Kingdom under the Caryn Mandabach Productions banner, will now produce shows under the Conduit Productions banner, with a first-look deal with Banijay.[25]

Awards and nominations

edit
Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2017 Diversity in Media Awards TV Moment of the Year Black MirrorSan Junipero Nominated
Diversity in Media Awards Production Company of the Year Tiger Aspect Productions Nominated

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "BANIJAY UK PRODUCTIONS LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". Companies House. 19 January 1983. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Gender Pay Report - Banijay UK Productions Limited ("Banijay UK")" (PDF). Banijay UK. 19 January 1983. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  3. ^ "Endemol Shine Gaming". endemolgames.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  4. ^ Barraclough, Leo (28 July 2014). "Endemol, Charlie Brooker Launch House of Tomorrow". Variety. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  5. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (27 September 2007). "From That's Life to Big Brother". The Guardian.
  6. ^ Teather, David (28 April 2000). "GMG Endemol takes 50% stake in Victoria Real". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  7. ^ Martinson, Jane (11 January 2016). "Endemol Shine president to leave one year after creation of 'mega indie'". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  8. ^ Szalai, Georg (10 October 2014). "Fox, Apollo Complete Deal to Combine Shine, Endemol, Core Media". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  9. ^ "Endemol UK acquires Brighter Pictures". C21Media. 9 April 2001. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  10. ^ Walsh, Barry (23 November 2009). "Endemol buys Darlow Smithson, Tiger Aspect". Realscreen. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  11. ^ Webdale, Jonathan; Whittingham, Clive (15 May 2014). "Fox, Apollo plan Shine, Core, Endemol alliance". C21Media. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  12. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (15 May 2014). "21st Century Fox & Apollo In Joint Venture Talks For Shine, Endemol And CORE Media". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  13. ^ Lieberman, David (10 October 2014). "Fox And Apollo Global Management Forge Partnership To Manage Endemol, Shine Group, And Core Media". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  14. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (10 October 2014). "21st Century Fox and Apollo Seal Deal to Merge Shine, Endemol and Core". Variety. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  15. ^ Wittingham, Clive (10 October 2014). "Endemol, Shine, Core confirm merger". C21Media. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  16. ^ Dickens, Andrew (11 March 2015). "Endemol Shine launches first label". C21Media. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  17. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (17 August 2015). "Endemol Shine UK Acquires Simon's Cat Creator". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  18. ^ Barraclough, Leo (4 December 2015). "'MasterChef' U.K. Creative Director Karen Ross Sets Up Sidney Street". Variety. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  19. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (26 January 2016). "Endemol Shine UK Acquires Short-Form Producer, Digital Talent Agency". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Endemol Shine to close Princess". C21Media. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  21. ^ Whittingham, Clive (4 July 2017). "Endemol Shine sets up Sharp Jack TV". C21Media. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  22. ^ Kanter, Jake (1 July 2020). "Banijay Group's $2.2BN Endemol Shine Group Takeover Approved By European Commission".
  23. ^ "Banijay Closes Endemol Shine Acquisition, Forming Global Production Giant". The Hollywood Reporter. 3 July 2020.
  24. ^ Booth, Martin (2 February 2024). "Award-winning Bristol production company to close after 30 years". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  25. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (5 June 2024). "'Peaky Blinders' Firm Caryn Mandabach Productions Acquired By Banijay UK With All 'Peaky' Rights Included". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
edit