Hollywood's Chernin, Banijay's owner in talks on ITV Studios (updated)

Banijay NV

01/02/2023 11:06

(Adds shares, analyst reaction)
    By Amy-Jo Crowley and Paul Sandle
       LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Veteran Hollywood producer
Peter Chernin and the owner of French TV production group
Banijay have expressed an interest in buying a stake in UK
broadcaster ITV's Studios, the maker of hit show "Love Island",
sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
    Shares in ITV rose more than 3% in early Wednesday trading
to a 10-month high. 
    Other private equity-backed studio firms have also assessed
the asset on and off in recent months, the sources said. The
business has been valued at as much as 3 billion pounds ($3.7
billion), according to analysts. 
    ITV  ITV.L , Britain's biggest free-to-air commercial
broadcaster, is open to selling a minority stake in Studios to a
strategic partner, such as a larger TV producer or private
equity firm with production assets, the sources said, but it
wants to retain majority control. 
    The sources declined to be identified because the matter is
confidential.
    Both Chernin's co-production vehicle North Road and
Banijay-parent FL Entertainment  FLE.AS  would prefer to control
the business, which has been a stumbling block in a potential
deal, the sources said.
    ITV and FL Entertainment declined to comment. North Road did
not respond to requests for comment.
    The sources said discussions with interested parties have
been ongoing in recent months, although no formal process was
under way and banks have not been officially appointed to
advise.
    Chernin, known for the revival of "Planet of the Apes" and
"Hidden Figures", set up North Road last summer after he raised
$800 million from private equity firms Providence and Apollo to
fund acquisitions in the United States and abroad. 
    Providence, which owns a stake in North Road, also declined
to comment for this story.
    Analysts at Citi said the Reuters report highlighted the
potential hidden value within ITV, although a sale of all or
even a majority of Studios was unlikely.
    "But we do see a pathway whereby, via consolidation, ITV may
be able to simultaneously both demonstrate and create value from
ITV Studios," they said.  
    Banijay, which produces reality shows such as "Big Brother",
"MasterChef" and "Survivor", became part of French entrepreneur
Stephane Courbit's FL Entertainment in a special purpose
acquisition company (SPAC) listing in July. It has made more
than 25 acquisitions since 2008. 
    ITV built up its Studios production business in the last
decade to reduce its reliance on the British advertising market
and tap into rising global demand for content.
    More than half of its revenue comes from outside Britain,
and it is targeting annual growth of at least 5% for the next
three years, helped by a slate that includes game show "The
Chase" and dramas like "Line of Duty". 
    Revenue in the nine months to end-September rose 16% to 1.39
billion pounds ($1.71 billion). 
    But for investors, growth in Studios has been overshadowed
by spending on the newly launched ITVX streaming service and
worries about the resilience of advertising. ITV's shares are
down 27% in the last 12 months.
    Chief Executive Carolyn McCall said last month that ITV was
reviewing options for Studios, but that it would not do
something "short term or tactical in order to prove value".
    "So it's definitely not for sale," she added.
    BINGE WATCHING
    Interest in ITV Studios follows frenzied deal-making during
the pandemic, when private equity poured billions of dollars
into content and production houses as they bet that soaring
demand for new TV shows and films would continue.
    Instead, the value of global streaming and production
companies, including Netflix  NFLX.O  and Walt Disney  DIS.N ,
has dropped, after losing customers as COVID-19 restrictions
eased and consumers tightened spending.
    ITV is due to publish full-year results on March 2.
Investors will be keen to hear how ITVX and advertising spending
have fared.
    One option for a minority partner in ITV Studios being
considered may be to swap equity in the company for a stake in
the parent company over three-to-five years, the first source
said, and eventually sell its shares in the public market.
    ITV would like Studios to be valued at 12-14 times earnings
before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation
(EBITDA), the sources said.  
    Studios increased its adjusted EBITA by 31% to 124 million
pounds for the six months ending June 30.
    That would imply a valuation of about 3 billion pounds, in
line with analysts' calculations and nearly as much as ITV's
total market value of 3.27 billion pounds.
    ITV may struggle to argue for a minority sale at those
multiples given the industry downturn, one of the sources said. 
($1 = 0.8122 pounds)
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 (Reporting by Amy-Jo Crowley and Paul Sandle; editing by
Barbara Lewis and Sharon Singleton)
 ((paul.sandle@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 6843; Reuters
Messaging: paul.sandle.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))