Virtual Screenings Worldwide’ conference portion VS Next continues to bring the best and most updated discussions around the hottest topics of the industry. On the starting day of the second week of the shows, top European producers talked on the merging and acquisition trends.
The content business is evolving fast in Europe in the post pandemic era with merges, acquisitions and new expansions towards different segments. All genres are being covered and all countries are being analyzed to move forward. Top players as Banijay, Federation Entertainment, Lux Vide and Fremantle are taking now key decisions for the future.
Lucas Green, global head of content operations at Banijay, highlighted the ‘increase in demand’ for content today, ensuring that the launch of more platforms and the relocation of linear TV as one of the main consumer screens, has made many large production companies have to screen several titles a year: ‘One of the irrefutable trends is the acceleration of demand for new IPs. From platforms to channels, they are hungry for fresh and new content. On the other hand, there are new markets where old franchises have been revived. It’s definitely a good time for remakes and for the newer IPs’.
Pascal Breton, founder and group chairman at Federation Entertainment, referred to the global expansion that the company has undertaken a couple of years ago, which has a Spanish subsidiary, led by Juan Sola and Toni Sevilla. ‘We are exploring acquisitions in Belgium, the UK, Germany and Israel. But beyond capitalizing on Federation Entertainment, it is expanding the content of the region and becoming a reference hub, as is the case in the USA. I think it is a natural strategy that European companies should follow. ‘
Fremantle has recently acquired 12 fiction labels from NENT Group, among other acquisitions. Christian Vesper, president of global drama, added: ‘Our expansion strategy is directly linked to our drama and format production units, where we have a presence in different markets by partnering with relevant or independent filmmakers and producers. We are currently studying the production of more feature films with our different associated production companies. ‘
Luca Bernabei, CEO of the powerfull Italian Lux Vide, who is rapidly expanding from Italy to the global market, commented: ‘The two elements that every content or media company must have are: ideas and rights. Basically, all businesses today revolve around it. Having the best, and if possible, an inexhaustible source of these, and above all the rights to expand these ideas. This is why alliances are so important. Our strategy is to acquire properties that have a global profile.’
The full panel can be watched here: https://virtualscreenings.com/vs-next-panel-14/
