Manchester-based indie Purple Productions, the force behind BBC amateur sleuthing smash Doorbell Detectives, is the first casualty of the newly announced “mega-indie” merger between Banijay and All3Media.
The two completed their merger last week, creating a new London-based production and distribution giant that makes and sells shows including The Traitors, Big Brother, MasterChef and Peaky Blinders. The combined $8BN entity will be called Banijay Entertainment.
The huge merger followed hot on the heels of the proposed Sky-ITV deal, which could redraw the UK TV landscape with the creation of a new business with hundreds of thousands of hours of programming and almost 200 production companies and labels nationwide.
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Purple was a part of the previously All3-owned Objective Media Group, while All3 itself was taken over last year by Abu Dhabi and New York-based JV RedBird IMI. IMI, the Abu Dhabi-based side of the venture and it’s main funder, told Prolific North at the time of the takeover that “This doesn’t impact them” when asked about jobs in All3’s numerous Northern labels, which also include Hollyoaks maker Lime Pictures and Leeds factual specialist Wise Owl Films,
Announcing the closure on social media, Purple creative director Pam Cavannagh said: “Sad to say goodbye to Purple. Huge heart felt thank you to everyone who has been with us – teams – edit gang and facilities.
“We really need to champion all that we do in the regions and speak up during these tough times.
“There are all the ingredients for a bright future in MCR – great staff – stories and tellers – great infrastructure and will.”
Purple Productions, led by Cavannagh and Dympna Jackson specialised in high quality returnable factual entertainment formats, broad appeal formatted observational documentaries and quizzes.
Marco Bassetti, who was CEO of Banijay Entertainment, became CEO of the newly formed group on completion, while Jane Turton, formerly CEO of All3Media, becomes deputy CEO. Jeff Zucker, CEO of RedBird IMI, took the role of chairman of the board of the new combined entity.
Banijay had about 130 production companies across the world. All3Media, which is largely based in the UK, U.S. and Germany, had around 40. The newly combined business has a huge catalog exceeding 265,000 hours. Each previously had a dedicated distribution arm, under Cathy Payne for Banijay Rights and Louise Pedersen at All3Media International.
“This is the world’s largest independent media content company by catalogue, by hours, production, by any measure, with an enterprise value of $8 billion and equity value of $5 billion,” Zucker announced as the deal was signed.
He added: “The completion of this merger marks a new era in global entertainment and creates a new independent leader in that category. With Marco and Jane we have the finest leadership team anywhere and I am excited to watch the company grow. This also marks a milestone for RedBird IMI, in only its third year, to play such a leading role in the global entertainment stage.”
