Oct 3, 2018

ITV rules itself out of bidding for Endemol Shine

ITV has withdrawn from the race to acquire Endemol Shine, leaving Banijay, the French television group, and Endeavor, the Hollywood talent agency turned media company, among the final bidders for the owner of series such as Big Brother and The Fall. The UK broadcaster, which has been keen to bolster its studio business, explored a bid for Endemol, which analysts said could fetch as much as €3bn, but ruled itself out on Wednesday. Banijay, which is run by Marco Bassetti, a former Endemol executive, is in pole position to buy the Netherlands-based group but the situation is fluid and could yet change, people briefed on the sale told the FT. Banijay's programmes include Temptation Island, The Secret Life of Four Year Olds and Keeping up with the Kardashians. Endemol Shine is Europe's largest independent content production business but is being sold by its owners, Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management, the private equity fund. Liberty Global, the cable group controlled by Colorado billionaire John Malone, was among the names linked with Endemol but is not pursuing a bid, people briefed on the situation said.

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