ITV has issued a statement to say that it has “no current intention” of acquiring Endemol Shine Group.
It was responding to increasing media speculation that it was considering a 3bn Euro bid for the owner of brands including Big Brother and The Fall.
Endemol Shine Group is Europe’s largest indie, with its northern base at MediaCityUK. It’s currently up for sale by 21st Century Fox and private equity fund, Apollo Global Management.
Initially, there appeared to be interest from ITV and Liberty Global, which have both since ruled themselves out.
It means that the two most likely bidders are French television firm, Banijay and Hollywood media company, Endeavor.
Banijay has strong Endemol links, with chairman, Stéphane Courbit previously CEO of Endemol France, after it merged with his company, ASP Productions. CEO, Marco Bassetti was president and CEO of Endemol Group and COO, Peter Langenberg was managing director entertainment for Endemol Nederland.
Endeavor was born out of William Morris Agency by CEO Ari Emanuel and his since moved beyond being purely a talent agency. It now works across media financing, distribution and sports and music rights. That includes UFC and Miss Universe.
