# Banijay-All3Media merger and US expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/banijay-all3media-merger-and-us-expansion
> Updated: 2026-07-29T06:19:34.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

In early July 2026, Banijay Entertainment completed an $8 billion merger with All3Media, creating the world’s largest independent television production company and bringing together a portfolio that includes formats such as *Big Brother*, *MasterChef* and *Peaky Blinders*.

By the end of July, the merged group announced the appointment of Ben Samek, formerly head of Banijay Americas, to oversee a new, centralized U.S. operation. In its first half‑year financial update after the merger, Banijay reported €1.37 billion in revenue, a modest 2.2 % decline year‑on‑year driven by an 11.9 % drop in production revenue. Offsetting this, distribution revenue rose 10.5 % and live‑events revenue jumped nearly 50 % on major sports properties. The company also disclosed a €400 million special dividend for shareholders and a seven‑year €750 million loan to refinance All3Media’s debt and cover transaction costs.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-29: Banijay appoints Ben Samek to lead US expansion after $8 billion All3Media merger

Banijay, after its $8 billion merger with All3Media, named Ben Samek to head U.S. operations while reporting H1 revenue of €1.37 billion, with production down 12% but distribution up 10%.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/banijay-appoints-ben-samek-to-lead-us-expansion-after-8-billion-all3media-merger

### 2026-07-09: Banijay Entertainment completes $8 bn merger with All3Media, forming world’s largest independent producer

Banijay Group and RedBird IMI have finalized a $8 bn merger with All3Media, creating Banijay Entertainment – the world’s largest independent producer headquartered in London, with €4.3 bn revenue and a 265,000‑

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/banijay-entertainment-merges-with-all3media-in-8-b-deal-creating-biggest-independent-producer

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Cite as: Banijay-All3Media merger and US expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/banijay-all3media-merger-and-us-expansion