Paris – International entertainment entities Banijay Group and Zodiak Media have agreed terms to unite their complementary catalogues and production units. With revenues of around US$1 billion, the merger creates one of the world’s biggest independent production and distribution companies and the largest not controlled by a media group.

At the closing, Stéphane Courbit will be named Chairman and Marco Bassetti will be appointed CEO of the merged company.

The new Group, which already boasts the leading production companies in many countries in which it operates, will now have a footprint in more than 18 territories producing entertainment, drama, factual, reality entertainment, docu-drama, children’s and animation programming. 

An extensive sales arm will handle worldwide rights distribution and licensing for both in-house and third party content.

Further details of the merger will be announced in due course.