Fremantle has completed its acquisition of global production studio Asacha Media Group, the company confirmed today.
Fremantle acquired the group from founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management
Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for continental Europe Andrea Scrosati spearheaded the acquisition. Asacha co-founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac will continue to run the company, reporting to Scrosati. Marina Williams will continue in her role as chief content officer.
Asacha boasts a portfolio of eight labels across France, Italy and the U.K: Kabo Family, Mintee, Srab Films, Picomedia, Stand By Me, Arrow Media, Red Planet Pictures and Wag. They will continue to report to de Chavagnac.
Fremantle’s existing European businssess – including Talkback, 72 Films, Kwaï and Lux Vide – will not be affected by the acquisition. Those companies will continue in their previous reporting structure.
Lazard, Mayer Brown, Duroc partners and and Arsene advised Asacha Media Group and Oaktree.
Fremantle acquired the group from founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management
Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for continental Europe Andrea Scrosati spearheaded the acquisition. Asacha co-founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac will continue to run the company, reporting to Scrosati. Marina Williams will continue in her role as chief content officer.
Asacha boasts a portfolio of eight labels across France, Italy and the U.K: Kabo Family, Mintee, Srab Films, Picomedia, Stand By Me, Arrow Media, Red Planet Pictures and Wag. They will continue to report to de Chavagnac.
Fremantle’s existing European businssess – including Talkback, 72 Films, Kwaï and Lux Vide – will not be affected by the acquisition. Those companies will continue in their previous reporting structure.
Lazard, Mayer Brown, Duroc partners and and Arsene advised Asacha Media Group and Oaktree.
- 3/25/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Fremantle Completes Asacha Deal
Fremantle has completed its big-money acquisition of Death in Paradise producer Asacha Media Group. The super-indie notified this morning that the deal, which was revealed several weeks ago, has gone through, and will see the Poor Things maker acquire the group from Asacha’s founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management. Fremantle hasn’t revealed how much Asacha cost but has said it has spent more than €200M ($216M) on both Asacha and 80% of Singapore’s Beach House Pictures since the start of this year. Fremantle takes hold of an eight-label group including Death in Paradise producer Red Planet, Arrow Media and Italy’s Stand By Me. Headquartered in Paris, France, Asacha will continue to be run by Co-Founder and Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac who will report to Fremantle’s Andrea Scrosati. De Chavagnac will continue to be supported by Marina Williams...
Fremantle has completed its big-money acquisition of Death in Paradise producer Asacha Media Group. The super-indie notified this morning that the deal, which was revealed several weeks ago, has gone through, and will see the Poor Things maker acquire the group from Asacha’s founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management. Fremantle hasn’t revealed how much Asacha cost but has said it has spent more than €200M ($216M) on both Asacha and 80% of Singapore’s Beach House Pictures since the start of this year. Fremantle takes hold of an eight-label group including Death in Paradise producer Red Planet, Arrow Media and Italy’s Stand By Me. Headquartered in Paris, France, Asacha will continue to be run by Co-Founder and Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac who will report to Fremantle’s Andrea Scrosati. De Chavagnac will continue to be supported by Marina Williams...
- 3/25/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle has completed the acquisition of Asacha Media Group, the private-equity-backed operation that owns eight TV and film production companies across France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Asacha’s subsidiaries include Death in Paradise producers Red Planet Pictures; Italian scripted groups Picomedia (Beyond the Sea, La Storia) and Stand by Me (Diaries); and France’s Srab Films (Saint Omer, Happening) and Mintee Studios (Cimetiere Indien). On the non-scripted and factual side, Asacha controls France’s Kabo Family (Scènes de Ménages) and Wag (Don’t Pick Up the Phone) and Arrow Media (See no Evil) in the U.K..
The deal sees Fremantle acquire the Asacha from the founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.
Headquartered in Paris, Asacha will continue to be run by co-founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac who will report to Andrea Scrosati, Fremantle’s Group COO and CEO Continental Europe, who spearheaded the acquisition.
Asacha’s subsidiaries include Death in Paradise producers Red Planet Pictures; Italian scripted groups Picomedia (Beyond the Sea, La Storia) and Stand by Me (Diaries); and France’s Srab Films (Saint Omer, Happening) and Mintee Studios (Cimetiere Indien). On the non-scripted and factual side, Asacha controls France’s Kabo Family (Scènes de Ménages) and Wag (Don’t Pick Up the Phone) and Arrow Media (See no Evil) in the U.K..
The deal sees Fremantle acquire the Asacha from the founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.
Headquartered in Paris, Asacha will continue to be run by co-founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac who will report to Andrea Scrosati, Fremantle’s Group COO and CEO Continental Europe, who spearheaded the acquisition.
- 3/25/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fremantle is poised to acquire the Paris-based Asacha Media Group in the latest ambitious expansion move by German parent company, Rtl Group.
Asacha owns a portfolio of European production companies, mostly TV. Its film interests are concentrated in Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral’s French production outfit Srab Films. Ayadi and Barral’s credits include Alice Diop’s Saint Omer and Ladj Ly’s Les Indésirables.
The companies have entered into a conditional purchase agreement, subject to customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024.
Asacha co-founders Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams will...
Asacha owns a portfolio of European production companies, mostly TV. Its film interests are concentrated in Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral’s French production outfit Srab Films. Ayadi and Barral’s credits include Alice Diop’s Saint Omer and Ladj Ly’s Les Indésirables.
The companies have entered into a conditional purchase agreement, subject to customary closing conditions. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024.
Asacha co-founders Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams will...
- 2/20/2024
- ScreenDaily
Global production giant Fremantle is still hungry. On Tuesday the Bertelsmann-controlled group signed a deal for another major acquisition, entering into a conditional purchase agreement to take control of Asacha Media Group, a private-equity-backed company that owns several high-profile production companies in the U.K., France, and Italy.
The acquisition of Asacha Media Group follows Fremantle’s recent deal to take an 80 percent stake in Singapore-based TV group Beach House Pictures. The investment in the two companies will cost Fremantle parent company Rtl Group $217 million (€200 million), Rtl Group said Tuesday.
Asacha’s production portfolio includes France’s Srab Films, producer of Venice winner Happening and official French Oscar contenders Les Misérables and Saint Omar; Picomedia, producer of hit Italian drama series The Sea Beyond; and British group Red Planet Pictures, known for such series as Death in Paradise and Life on Mars. Other Asacha-owned companies part of the Fremantle...
The acquisition of Asacha Media Group follows Fremantle’s recent deal to take an 80 percent stake in Singapore-based TV group Beach House Pictures. The investment in the two companies will cost Fremantle parent company Rtl Group $217 million (€200 million), Rtl Group said Tuesday.
Asacha’s production portfolio includes France’s Srab Films, producer of Venice winner Happening and official French Oscar contenders Les Misérables and Saint Omar; Picomedia, producer of hit Italian drama series The Sea Beyond; and British group Red Planet Pictures, known for such series as Death in Paradise and Life on Mars. Other Asacha-owned companies part of the Fremantle...
- 2/20/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fremantle Buys Asacha Media Group In Major European M&a Deal & Has Now Spent More Than $216M In 2024
In the latest major M&a deal to hit Europe, Fremantle has acquired Asacha Media Group, the growing owner of Death in Paradise producer Red Planet, Arrow Media and Italy’s Stand By Me.
Fremantle owner Rtl said the super-indie has spent more than €200M ($216M) on Asacha plus 80% of Singapore’s Beach House Pictures since the start of this year and is now well on track to reach its lofty €3B ($3.2B) revenue target by 2025. Rtl didn’t break down how much Asacha and Beach House cost individually.
Asacha was only founded in 2020 but has since acquired eight labels and rapidly expanded its footprint across Europe.
The deal sees Fremantle acquire the group from Asacha’s founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.
Following the acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, Asacha will continue to be run by Co-Founder and Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac...
Fremantle owner Rtl said the super-indie has spent more than €200M ($216M) on Asacha plus 80% of Singapore’s Beach House Pictures since the start of this year and is now well on track to reach its lofty €3B ($3.2B) revenue target by 2025. Rtl didn’t break down how much Asacha and Beach House cost individually.
Asacha was only founded in 2020 but has since acquired eight labels and rapidly expanded its footprint across Europe.
The deal sees Fremantle acquire the group from Asacha’s founding partners, managers and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.
Following the acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, Asacha will continue to be run by Co-Founder and Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac...
- 2/20/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle has inked a deal to acquire Asacha Media Group from Oaktree Capital Management L.P.
Paris-headquartered Asacha houses eight labels in the U.K., France and Italy. They are Kabo Family (France), Mintee (France), Srab Films (France), Picomedia (Italy), Stand By Me (Italy), Arrow Media (United Kingdom), Red Planet Pictures (U.K.) and Wag (U.K.).
Co-Founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac will continue to run the company, reporting to Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for continental Europe Andrea Scrosati. Scrosati spearheaded the acquisition (which is subject to closing conditions) as part of Fremantle’s investment strategy.
Asacha’s labels will report to de Chavagnac, who founded Asacha in 2020 alongside Marc-Antoine d’Halluin and Marina Williams.
In just a few years the company has become one of Europe’s leading television and film production groups. Its output includes “Death in Paradise,” “Mare Fuori,” “Saimt Omer” and “Magic of Disney‘s Animal Kingdom,...
Paris-headquartered Asacha houses eight labels in the U.K., France and Italy. They are Kabo Family (France), Mintee (France), Srab Films (France), Picomedia (Italy), Stand By Me (Italy), Arrow Media (United Kingdom), Red Planet Pictures (U.K.) and Wag (U.K.).
Co-Founder and group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac will continue to run the company, reporting to Fremantle’s group COO and CEO for continental Europe Andrea Scrosati. Scrosati spearheaded the acquisition (which is subject to closing conditions) as part of Fremantle’s investment strategy.
Asacha’s labels will report to de Chavagnac, who founded Asacha in 2020 alongside Marc-Antoine d’Halluin and Marina Williams.
In just a few years the company has become one of Europe’s leading television and film production groups. Its output includes “Death in Paradise,” “Mare Fuori,” “Saimt Omer” and “Magic of Disney‘s Animal Kingdom,...
- 2/20/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
France’s Asacha Media Group has acquired a majority stake in the U.K.-based factual producer Arrow International Media, the maker of the See No Evil and American Monster series for Investigation Discovery.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition of the controlling interest will be financed with equity provided by existing shareholders of Asacha, including Oaktree Capital Management, and debt financing from Tikehau Capital. The deal also gets Asacha beyond its home base France and continental Europe and deeper into producing more English language factual content via a new division making inroads into the U.S. market.
Asacha, since launching in 2020, focused on non-English-language scripted content for linear and on-demand platforms and with a focus on continental Europe. But the company has also looked to produce reality series, kids’ entertainment, factual programming and documentaries.
Recent credits for Arrow International includes Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom...
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition of the controlling interest will be financed with equity provided by existing shareholders of Asacha, including Oaktree Capital Management, and debt financing from Tikehau Capital. The deal also gets Asacha beyond its home base France and continental Europe and deeper into producing more English language factual content via a new division making inroads into the U.S. market.
Asacha, since launching in 2020, focused on non-English-language scripted content for linear and on-demand platforms and with a focus on continental Europe. But the company has also looked to produce reality series, kids’ entertainment, factual programming and documentaries.
Recent credits for Arrow International includes Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom...
- 7/28/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
European consolidator Asacha Media Group has acquired a majority stake in Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom producer Arrow International Media.
This marks the second UK-based factual group to join Asacha’s ranks following a 2021 deal for Wag Entertainment.
We hear Arrow had been on the block for some time and the deal is likely to value the company in the low eight-figure range. Under terms of the agreement, Arrow bosses Tom Brisley and Iain Pelling will remain as co-Managing Directors, while John Smithson will step back.
Brisley and Pelling will retain a minority stake in Arrow, similar to the structure of Asacha’s previous acquisitions. Brisley will become an Asacha shareholder, alongside the business’ founders and other subsidiary bosses. Smithson, who previously co-founded Darlow Smithson Productions, will deliver his current projects and then work independently, with Arrow and Asacha having a first look at his new projects.
The trio...
This marks the second UK-based factual group to join Asacha’s ranks following a 2021 deal for Wag Entertainment.
We hear Arrow had been on the block for some time and the deal is likely to value the company in the low eight-figure range. Under terms of the agreement, Arrow bosses Tom Brisley and Iain Pelling will remain as co-Managing Directors, while John Smithson will step back.
Brisley and Pelling will retain a minority stake in Arrow, similar to the structure of Asacha’s previous acquisitions. Brisley will become an Asacha shareholder, alongside the business’ founders and other subsidiary bosses. Smithson, who previously co-founded Darlow Smithson Productions, will deliver his current projects and then work independently, with Arrow and Asacha having a first look at his new projects.
The trio...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Asacha Media Group has acquired a majority stake in leading U.K. factual producer Arrow International Media. The company’s recent hits include “See No Evil” and “American Monster” for Investigation Discovery, “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” for National Geographic and Disney+ and “Seven Days on Mars” for the BBC.
Arrow, founded in 2011 by Tom Brisley, John Smithson and Iain Pelling, delivers over 100 hours across genres that also include crime, history, nature, adventure, science and more.
Asacha launched in April 2020 with majority stakes in Italian production banners Picomedia and Stand By Me, French production company Mintee Studio. Asacha went on to acquire U.K. factual producer Wag Entertainment, leading UK drama producer Red Planet Pictures, French scripted studios Kabo Family and French producer Srab Films.
Asacha Media’s acquisition of Arrow was financed with a mix of equity provided by the existing shareholders and debt financing provided by Tikehau Capital.
Arrow, founded in 2011 by Tom Brisley, John Smithson and Iain Pelling, delivers over 100 hours across genres that also include crime, history, nature, adventure, science and more.
Asacha launched in April 2020 with majority stakes in Italian production banners Picomedia and Stand By Me, French production company Mintee Studio. Asacha went on to acquire U.K. factual producer Wag Entertainment, leading UK drama producer Red Planet Pictures, French scripted studios Kabo Family and French producer Srab Films.
Asacha Media’s acquisition of Arrow was financed with a mix of equity provided by the existing shareholders and debt financing provided by Tikehau Capital.
- 7/28/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Kabo Family, the production banner owned by the fast-expanding Asacha Media Group, has signed a strategic deal with Christian Duguay, the prominent Canadian filmmaker of “Jappeloup” and “Coco Chanel.”
Under the pact, Kabo and Duguay’s CD Films France will collaborate on the development and production of TV series aimed at traditional television groups and platforms.
The partnership underscores Kabo Family’s ambition to ramp up its presence in the upscale scripted space. Duguay’s latest film “Tempete,” an uplifting drama with Melanie Laurent, Pio Marmai and Carmen Kassovitz, is currently playing in theaters. Besides “Jappeloup,” Dugay’s best known film credits include “Un Sac de Billes” and “Belle et Sebastien.” The helmer was nominated at the Primetime Emmy Awards three times, for “Joan of Arc,” “Hitler: The Rise of Evil” and the TV movie “Coco Chanel.”
Asacha Media Group is also the shareholder of Srab Films, the production banner...
Under the pact, Kabo and Duguay’s CD Films France will collaborate on the development and production of TV series aimed at traditional television groups and platforms.
The partnership underscores Kabo Family’s ambition to ramp up its presence in the upscale scripted space. Duguay’s latest film “Tempete,” an uplifting drama with Melanie Laurent, Pio Marmai and Carmen Kassovitz, is currently playing in theaters. Besides “Jappeloup,” Dugay’s best known film credits include “Un Sac de Billes” and “Belle et Sebastien.” The helmer was nominated at the Primetime Emmy Awards three times, for “Joan of Arc,” “Hitler: The Rise of Evil” and the TV movie “Coco Chanel.”
Asacha Media Group is also the shareholder of Srab Films, the production banner...
- 1/11/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ladj Ly, the French filmmaker whose feature debut “Les Miserables” won Cannes’ Jury Prize and earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations, has just started shooting his next film, “Les Indesirables” (Undesirables).
The movie reteams Ly and “Les Miserables” producers Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral at Srab Films, the Paris-based banner whose recent credits include Alice Diop’s buzzed-about French Oscar entry “Saint Omer.”
“Les Indesirables” brings back the entire team behind “Les Miserables”: Wild Bunch International for world sales and Le Pacte for French distribution, as well as the pay TV channel Canal+ and Cine+ which pre-bought the film. The local public broadcaster France Televisions also scooped French free-to-air rights to the movie which will be headlined by a promising newcomer, Anta Diaw, and Alexis Manenti, whose gripping performance in “Les Miserables” earned him a Cesar Award for best male newcomer.
Penned by Ly and Giordano Gederlini (“Les Miserables”), “Les...
The movie reteams Ly and “Les Miserables” producers Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral at Srab Films, the Paris-based banner whose recent credits include Alice Diop’s buzzed-about French Oscar entry “Saint Omer.”
“Les Indesirables” brings back the entire team behind “Les Miserables”: Wild Bunch International for world sales and Le Pacte for French distribution, as well as the pay TV channel Canal+ and Cine+ which pre-bought the film. The local public broadcaster France Televisions also scooped French free-to-air rights to the movie which will be headlined by a promising newcomer, Anta Diaw, and Alexis Manenti, whose gripping performance in “Les Miserables” earned him a Cesar Award for best male newcomer.
Penned by Ly and Giordano Gederlini (“Les Miserables”), “Les...
- 12/19/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Prime Video has come a long way since launching in France in 2016. The streamer, whose first French film original, “The Mad Women’s Ball,” recently picked up an International Emmy Award, unveiled a landmark deal with French guilds during a posh dinner with industry players and talent in Paris on Wednesday evening (Nov. 30).
On the guest list at the chic Lutetia Hotel was a laundry list of talent that’s in business with Prime Video, including Philippe Lacheau (“Lol”), Franck Gastambide (“Medellin”), Eloise Lang (“La Graine”), Melha Bedia (“Miskina”), Ziad Doueiri (“Coeurs Noirs”), as well as producers Alain Goldman, Pathé Films’ Ardavan Safaee, Mandarin’s Eric Altmayer, CG Cinema’s Charles Gillibert, Metropolitan FilmExport’s Victor Hadida, Newen’s Romain Bessi, and Asasha Group’s Gaspard de Chavagnac, among many others.
Announced by Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, Prime Video’s country manager in France, the four-year deal was signed with the guilds AnimFrance,...
On the guest list at the chic Lutetia Hotel was a laundry list of talent that’s in business with Prime Video, including Philippe Lacheau (“Lol”), Franck Gastambide (“Medellin”), Eloise Lang (“La Graine”), Melha Bedia (“Miskina”), Ziad Doueiri (“Coeurs Noirs”), as well as producers Alain Goldman, Pathé Films’ Ardavan Safaee, Mandarin’s Eric Altmayer, CG Cinema’s Charles Gillibert, Metropolitan FilmExport’s Victor Hadida, Newen’s Romain Bessi, and Asasha Group’s Gaspard de Chavagnac, among many others.
Announced by Brigitte Ricou-Bellan, Prime Video’s country manager in France, the four-year deal was signed with the guilds AnimFrance,...
- 12/1/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Asacha Media Group, the expanding pan-European company, is partnering up with Spain’s Plano a Plano and Mexico’s Dopamine on “Cicatriz,” a high-end action thriller based on Juan Gómez-Jurado’s bestselling novel.
“Cicatriz” is developed by a pair of established writers, Pablo Roa and Fernando Sancristóbal, whose credits include “Toy Boy,” “La Casa de Papel” and “Vis a Vis.”
The high-concept series revolves around a brilliant but lonely entrepreneur on the verge of making his millions, who meets a young woman hell-bent on a long-planned revenge mission. “Cicatriz” will be headlined by a prominent international cast and is currently in the financing stage.
Asacha Media Group has come on board as a strategic partner and will co-produce, secure pre-sales and develop an international strategy for the production.
“We are thrilled to board this very special project,” said Marina Williams, co-ceo of Amg. “This is a story with great international...
“Cicatriz” is developed by a pair of established writers, Pablo Roa and Fernando Sancristóbal, whose credits include “Toy Boy,” “La Casa de Papel” and “Vis a Vis.”
The high-concept series revolves around a brilliant but lonely entrepreneur on the verge of making his millions, who meets a young woman hell-bent on a long-planned revenge mission. “Cicatriz” will be headlined by a prominent international cast and is currently in the financing stage.
Asacha Media Group has come on board as a strategic partner and will co-produce, secure pre-sales and develop an international strategy for the production.
“We are thrilled to board this very special project,” said Marina Williams, co-ceo of Amg. “This is a story with great international...
- 10/21/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Hollywood no longer holds the same allure for top Italian film and TV talent as a result of Italy’s recent renaissance as a production hub, Fremantle exec Andrea Scrosati told a panel at Rome’s Mia market on Tuesday.
“10 years ago, when Italian talents achieved big success with a film or series, they would get that famous call from Hollywood,” said Fremantle group COO and continental Europe CEO Scrosati.
“Whoever was called by Hollywood, would go to Hollywood, and this was seen as a sign of having arrived,” he continued. “There was a sense that Italian industry was good at forming talents but that at a certain point they would leave.”
The country’s tax credit for film and TV production, first introduced in 2008 and raised from 30 to 40 in 2020; investment in local infrastructure, topped by the overhaul of Rome’s historic Cinecittà film studios, as well as the resulting...
“10 years ago, when Italian talents achieved big success with a film or series, they would get that famous call from Hollywood,” said Fremantle group COO and continental Europe CEO Scrosati.
“Whoever was called by Hollywood, would go to Hollywood, and this was seen as a sign of having arrived,” he continued. “There was a sense that Italian industry was good at forming talents but that at a certain point they would leave.”
The country’s tax credit for film and TV production, first introduced in 2008 and raised from 30 to 40 in 2020; investment in local infrastructure, topped by the overhaul of Rome’s historic Cinecittà film studios, as well as the resulting...
- 10/12/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
France’s Asacha Media Group has acquired compatriot Srab Films, the firm behind Ladj Ly’s Oscar-nominated Les Misérables.
The expanding media group says the deal will accelerate its development as “an independent European production studio dedicated to scripted content.” The company already owns the likes of Red Planet Pictures, along with a number of unscripted companies.
Paris-based production company Srab was founded in 2015 by Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral. It works closely with emerging French talent such as Nadège Loiseau, Vincent Cardona and Franco Lolli and notably produced Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables, the Amazon Studios acquisition that was awarded with the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2019 and four Césars, including Best Film, in 2020. It was also nominated for Best International Film at the Oscars in 2020.
It was also behind Kery James and Leïla Sy’s Banlieusards for Netflix and will be in...
The expanding media group says the deal will accelerate its development as “an independent European production studio dedicated to scripted content.” The company already owns the likes of Red Planet Pictures, along with a number of unscripted companies.
Paris-based production company Srab was founded in 2015 by Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral. It works closely with emerging French talent such as Nadège Loiseau, Vincent Cardona and Franco Lolli and notably produced Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables, the Amazon Studios acquisition that was awarded with the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival 2019 and four Césars, including Best Film, in 2020. It was also nominated for Best International Film at the Oscars in 2020.
It was also behind Kery James and Leïla Sy’s Banlieusards for Netflix and will be in...
- 8/30/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Content creator and producer Asacha Media Group (Amg) said on Tuesday that it has acquired Paris-based production firm Srab Films, which produced Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables that Amazon Studios acquired following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019.
“This acquisition will accelerate Asacha’s development as an independent European production studio dedicated to scripted content,” said the buyer, a multinational producer headquartered in Paris. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Srab Films was founded in 2015 by Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral. The studio also produced Kery James and Leïla Sy’s Street Flow (Banlieusards) for Netflix. Srab will have Saint Omer, Alice Diop’s first fiction feature film, in the Venice Film Festival competition.
“The acquisition of Srab fits Amg’s strategy to produce premium and innovative content dedicated to
streamers, TV broadcasters and movie theaters throughout Europe and the U.
Content creator and producer Asacha Media Group (Amg) said on Tuesday that it has acquired Paris-based production firm Srab Films, which produced Ladj Ly’s Les Misérables that Amazon Studios acquired following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019.
“This acquisition will accelerate Asacha’s development as an independent European production studio dedicated to scripted content,” said the buyer, a multinational producer headquartered in Paris. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
Srab Films was founded in 2015 by Toufik Ayadi and Christophe Barral. The studio also produced Kery James and Leïla Sy’s Street Flow (Banlieusards) for Netflix. Srab will have Saint Omer, Alice Diop’s first fiction feature film, in the Venice Film Festival competition.
“The acquisition of Srab fits Amg’s strategy to produce premium and innovative content dedicated to
streamers, TV broadcasters and movie theaters throughout Europe and the U.
- 8/30/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Italy’s Stand By Me and Rai have partnered on “The General’s Men,” a high-end drama that delves into the country’s battle against Red Brigades terrorism by portraying a special paramilitary unit set up by a high-ranking police official played by Sergio Castellitto.
Castellitto (first look image above) plays General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, the heroic chief of the Carabinieri paramilitary police force who in 1974 set up the Nucleo Speciale Antiterrorismo, a unit of elite young officers, to fight Red Brigades terrorists who were running rampage. In 1978 the Red Brigades abducted and killed then Italian prime minister Aldo Moro.
“They are all young [both the terrorists and the elite police officers] and they represent two distinct groups who have decided to be on different sides of history,” said Stand By Me chief Simona Ercolani.
“The show’s underlying theme is the defense of democracy, which is very timely,” she added.
The eight-episode show directed by Lucio Pellegrini...
Castellitto (first look image above) plays General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, the heroic chief of the Carabinieri paramilitary police force who in 1974 set up the Nucleo Speciale Antiterrorismo, a unit of elite young officers, to fight Red Brigades terrorists who were running rampage. In 1978 the Red Brigades abducted and killed then Italian prime minister Aldo Moro.
“They are all young [both the terrorists and the elite police officers] and they represent two distinct groups who have decided to be on different sides of history,” said Stand By Me chief Simona Ercolani.
“The show’s underlying theme is the defense of democracy, which is very timely,” she added.
The eight-episode show directed by Lucio Pellegrini...
- 3/16/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Board
Michael Lynton, chair of Warner Music Group Corp. and Josh Berger, the former president and MD of Warner Bros. U.K., Ireland and Spain, are joining the board of Secret Cinema with immediate effect.
Secret Cinema is a London-based company specialized in creating immersive experiences based on iconic film and television properties at secret locations, where audiences participate dressed as cast members.
Lynton has served as chair of the board of Warner Music Group Corp. since 2019 and chairman of Snap Inc since 2017 and was previously at Sony.
Berger stood down from his Warner Bros. role after 30 years with the studio. during which he led the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises. He spent ten years as a governor and the last five years as chair at the British Film Institute.
Secret Cinema CEO Max Alexander said: “Michael and Josh are two of the most respected people in the entertainment industry and their energy,...
Michael Lynton, chair of Warner Music Group Corp. and Josh Berger, the former president and MD of Warner Bros. U.K., Ireland and Spain, are joining the board of Secret Cinema with immediate effect.
Secret Cinema is a London-based company specialized in creating immersive experiences based on iconic film and television properties at secret locations, where audiences participate dressed as cast members.
Lynton has served as chair of the board of Warner Music Group Corp. since 2019 and chairman of Snap Inc since 2017 and was previously at Sony.
Berger stood down from his Warner Bros. role after 30 years with the studio. during which he led the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises. He spent ten years as a governor and the last five years as chair at the British Film Institute.
Secret Cinema CEO Max Alexander said: “Michael and Josh are two of the most respected people in the entertainment industry and their energy,...
- 10/20/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Asacha Media Group, the French production group formed last year by former Zodiak and Endemol execs, has signed up an All3Media International Senior Vice President as Head of International Content and Co-Productions.
Reporting into founders Marina Williams and Gaspard de Chavagnac, Maria Ishak joins the firm immediately, leading on co-production and co-funding opportunities and working with Asacha’s production companies across Europe and the UK.
She joins from distributor All3Media International, where she was Senior Vice President, North America, helping develop the outfit’s co-production strategy and securing sales for Jack Thorne drama Help and ITV documentary Diana. She has previously worked for Fremantle, Blue Chalk Media, Passion Distribution and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Williams and de Chavagnac said she will “play a central role in Asacha’s ongoing growth strategy,” adding that Ishak “brings deep industry relationships across traditional networks and streaming, as well as strong experience in both scripted and factual.
Reporting into founders Marina Williams and Gaspard de Chavagnac, Maria Ishak joins the firm immediately, leading on co-production and co-funding opportunities and working with Asacha’s production companies across Europe and the UK.
She joins from distributor All3Media International, where she was Senior Vice President, North America, helping develop the outfit’s co-production strategy and securing sales for Jack Thorne drama Help and ITV documentary Diana. She has previously worked for Fremantle, Blue Chalk Media, Passion Distribution and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Williams and de Chavagnac said she will “play a central role in Asacha’s ongoing growth strategy,” adding that Ishak “brings deep industry relationships across traditional networks and streaming, as well as strong experience in both scripted and factual.
- 10/20/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Asacha Media Group, the Paris-based company launched in April 2020 by veteran media entrepreneurs, has acquired the French scripted production group Kabo Family. The outfit regroups 10 banners with credits including the long-running hit daily show “Scenes de Menages” and the Amazon Prime’s original series “Mixte.”
Asacha Media Group was co-founded by media entrepreneurs Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, who lead the group as co-CEOs, and Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, who is vice chairman of the supervisory board.
The deal for Kabo Family marks the Asacha Media Group’s sixth acquisition since bowing 16 months ago with the backing of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP. The company previously acquired the Italian production houses Picomedia and Stand By Me, as well as the French production company Mintee Studio, and the U.K. production and distribution outfit Wag Entertainment and leading U.K. drama producer Red Planet Pictures.
Founded in 2002, Kabo Family brings...
Asacha Media Group was co-founded by media entrepreneurs Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, who lead the group as co-CEOs, and Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, who is vice chairman of the supervisory board.
The deal for Kabo Family marks the Asacha Media Group’s sixth acquisition since bowing 16 months ago with the backing of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, LP. The company previously acquired the Italian production houses Picomedia and Stand By Me, as well as the French production company Mintee Studio, and the U.K. production and distribution outfit Wag Entertainment and leading U.K. drama producer Red Planet Pictures.
Founded in 2002, Kabo Family brings...
- 8/23/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-headquartered content creator Asacha Media Group (Amg) has acquired a majority stake in the U.K.’s Red Planet Pictures, producers of hit shows “Sanditon” and “Death in Paradise.”
Red Planet, led by joint MDs, Belinda Campbell and Alex Jones, was founded in 2006 by showrunner Tony Jordan, who now serves as executive chair. The deal will see Red Planet Pictures tap into Amg’s pan-European network of leading producers to further pursue local adaptations and co-productions, and also grow their business in emerging markets like the Middle East and Eastern Europe, where Jordan has created long running dramas “Besa” for Serbian Television and “Al Mirath” for Mbc.
Jordan, Campbell and Jones will become minority shareholders in Amg alongside funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., founders and other managers of Amg’s production companies who also reinvested in the group.
With this investment, Amg is steadily increasing its U.
Red Planet, led by joint MDs, Belinda Campbell and Alex Jones, was founded in 2006 by showrunner Tony Jordan, who now serves as executive chair. The deal will see Red Planet Pictures tap into Amg’s pan-European network of leading producers to further pursue local adaptations and co-productions, and also grow their business in emerging markets like the Middle East and Eastern Europe, where Jordan has created long running dramas “Besa” for Serbian Television and “Al Mirath” for Mbc.
Jordan, Campbell and Jones will become minority shareholders in Amg alongside funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., founders and other managers of Amg’s production companies who also reinvested in the group.
With this investment, Amg is steadily increasing its U.
- 6/21/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Red Planet Pictures, the UK drama producer behind BBC/PBS series Death In Paradise, has sold a majority stake to Asacha Media Group, the emerging Paris-based production group founded by three former Endemol Shine and Zodiak executives. Financial details were not disclosed.
Red Planet was founded in 2006 by Tony Jordan, who now serves as executive chairman. The Sandition and Dickensian producer’s day-to-day activities are overseen by joint managing directors Belinda Campbell and Alex Jones. As part of the deal, all three will become minority shareholders in Asacha.
Asacha is building a portfolio of production companies after being founded last April by Gaspard de Chavagnac, the former Zodiak Media France boss; ex-Endemol Shine Group international COO Marina Williams; and former Zodiak CEO Marc Antoine d’Halluin. In February, it took a stake in British production and distribution company Wag Entertainment.
Chavagnac and Williams said: “Under the leadership of Tony,...
Red Planet was founded in 2006 by Tony Jordan, who now serves as executive chairman. The Sandition and Dickensian producer’s day-to-day activities are overseen by joint managing directors Belinda Campbell and Alex Jones. As part of the deal, all three will become minority shareholders in Asacha.
Asacha is building a portfolio of production companies after being founded last April by Gaspard de Chavagnac, the former Zodiak Media France boss; ex-Endemol Shine Group international COO Marina Williams; and former Zodiak CEO Marc Antoine d’Halluin. In February, it took a stake in British production and distribution company Wag Entertainment.
Chavagnac and Williams said: “Under the leadership of Tony,...
- 6/21/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Paris-headquartered Asacha Media Group has acquired a majority stake in U.K. production and distribution outfit Wag Entertainment.
The Wag portfolio includes “What on Earth?” and “Strange Evidence” for Science Channel, “Weird Earth” for The Weather Channel, “Combat Dealers” for Quest and “War Factories” for UKTV.
Following a transition period, Wag founder and CEO Martin Durkin stepped down at the end of 2021, handing over leadership to current COO Steven Green, who will become managing director.
Green will focus on further growing Wag Entertainment’s cross-platform slate in the U.K. and U.S., while expanding the business into Amg’s core European markets with factual entertainment, reality and documentary programming for TV networks and streaming platforms.
Asacha’s business focuses on the growth in demand for scripted and factual content from streaming platforms and TV networks across Europe and beyond. It launched in 2020 having acquired majority stakes in Italian production...
The Wag portfolio includes “What on Earth?” and “Strange Evidence” for Science Channel, “Weird Earth” for The Weather Channel, “Combat Dealers” for Quest and “War Factories” for UKTV.
Following a transition period, Wag founder and CEO Martin Durkin stepped down at the end of 2021, handing over leadership to current COO Steven Green, who will become managing director.
Green will focus on further growing Wag Entertainment’s cross-platform slate in the U.K. and U.S., while expanding the business into Amg’s core European markets with factual entertainment, reality and documentary programming for TV networks and streaming platforms.
Asacha’s business focuses on the growth in demand for scripted and factual content from streaming platforms and TV networks across Europe and beyond. It launched in 2020 having acquired majority stakes in Italian production...
- 2/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Asacha Media Group, the Paris-based production group founded last year by three former Endemol Shine and Zodiak executives, has acquired a majority stake in British production and distribution company Wag Entertainment for an undisclosed amount.
Wag was established in 1998 and the company’s slate includes Science Channel’s What On Earth?, which is in production on its seventh season, Combat Dealers for Discovery’s Quest, and UKTV’s War Factories.
As part of the deal, Wag CEO and founder Martin Durkin will step down at the end of 2021. He will be replaced by COO Steven Green, who will become the firm’s managing director following a transition period.
Wag’s most recent earnings showed it posted a profit of £7.7 million (£10.6M) in the 12 months to March 2020, up marginally on £7.3M the year before. The firm has £4.6M of cash in hand at the bank.
Asacha is building a portfolio of...
Wag was established in 1998 and the company’s slate includes Science Channel’s What On Earth?, which is in production on its seventh season, Combat Dealers for Discovery’s Quest, and UKTV’s War Factories.
As part of the deal, Wag CEO and founder Martin Durkin will step down at the end of 2021. He will be replaced by COO Steven Green, who will become the firm’s managing director following a transition period.
Wag’s most recent earnings showed it posted a profit of £7.7 million (£10.6M) in the 12 months to March 2020, up marginally on £7.3M the year before. The firm has £4.6M of cash in hand at the bank.
Asacha is building a portfolio of...
- 2/11/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Gaspard de Chavagnac, the former Zodiak Media France boss, and ex-Endemol Shine Group international COO Marina Williams are teaming up with former Zodiak CEO Marc Antoine d’Halluin to launch Asacha Media Group.
Chavagnac and Williams and the founding partners and joint CEOs of the new venture, while d’Halluin is the third founding partner and will serve as Asacha’s non-executive vice-chairman. He remains CEO of Middle Eastern free-to-air satellite network Mbc Group.
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Asacha will be backed with investment from funds managed by U.S. company Oaktree Capital Management and will be headquartered in Paris, France. It will be focused on non-English language scripted film and television, but...
Chavagnac and Williams and the founding partners and joint CEOs of the new venture, while d’Halluin is the third founding partner and will serve as Asacha’s non-executive vice-chairman. He remains CEO of Middle Eastern free-to-air satellite network Mbc Group.
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Asacha will be backed with investment from funds managed by U.S. company Oaktree Capital Management and will be headquartered in Paris, France. It will be focused on non-English language scripted film and television, but...
- 4/16/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Asacha Media Group, a multinational partnership of content creators and producers, launched Thursday, with backing from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management.
With headquarters in Paris, Asacha brings together several experienced executives with strong track-records in their respective markets, who will be investing in the group alongside core leadership, while retaining a significant minority stake in their business.
The company will mainly focus on developing, packaging and producing non-English language scripted series and films, but it will also produce reality series, kids’ entertainment, factual programming and documentaries.
Asacha will operate across Europe, Middle East and Africa, with a core focus on France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Central and Eastern Europe. The company will also do business in further territories such as the U.K., the Nordics, the Middle East and Turkey.
Asacha is led by founding partners and Co-CEOs Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, who have held numerous high-ranking...
With headquarters in Paris, Asacha brings together several experienced executives with strong track-records in their respective markets, who will be investing in the group alongside core leadership, while retaining a significant minority stake in their business.
The company will mainly focus on developing, packaging and producing non-English language scripted series and films, but it will also produce reality series, kids’ entertainment, factual programming and documentaries.
Asacha will operate across Europe, Middle East and Africa, with a core focus on France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Central and Eastern Europe. The company will also do business in further territories such as the U.K., the Nordics, the Middle East and Turkey.
Asacha is led by founding partners and Co-CEOs Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, who have held numerous high-ranking...
- 4/16/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
M&a business in Europe has largely been put on hold during the coronavirus shutdown, so it was a surprise Thursday to see Italian production companies Picomedia and Stand By Me and French TV group Mintee Studios merge under a new corporate umbrella, the Asacha Media Group.
Former Zodiak Media Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, an ex-coo of Endemol Shine, launched Asacha with equity backing from Oaktree Capital Management. The company has taken majority stakes in Picomedia, Stand By Me and De Chavagnac's Mintree and is eyeing further European acquisitions.
In a statement, Asacha said it ...
Former Zodiak Media Group CEO Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, an ex-coo of Endemol Shine, launched Asacha with equity backing from Oaktree Capital Management. The company has taken majority stakes in Picomedia, Stand By Me and De Chavagnac's Mintree and is eyeing further European acquisitions.
In a statement, Asacha said it ...
- 4/16/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Former TF1 Studio boss Tristan du Laz and French industry veterans Gaspard de Chavagnac, the former boss of Zodiak France, and Edouard Duprey, the popular producer-creative, are joining forces to launch Originals Factory, a co-production and distribution company dedicated to delivering movies to platforms.
During his tenure at TF1 Studio, du Laz started distributing some of the movies he acquired across diverse platforms in France and saw the large potential of some high-concept films, either such genre titles as Nicolas Boukhrief’s terrorism-themed “Made in France,” thrillers including “Kidnap” with Hally Berry, romantic comedies like “Adaline” with Blake Lively, and other niche movies that performed much better on pay VOD services than they would in theaters.
The idea behind Originals Factory is to co-produce or acquire eight to 12 films per year and give them an exclusive premium rollout on transactional VOD services, first in France and eventually across Europe for six to eight weeks,...
During his tenure at TF1 Studio, du Laz started distributing some of the movies he acquired across diverse platforms in France and saw the large potential of some high-concept films, either such genre titles as Nicolas Boukhrief’s terrorism-themed “Made in France,” thrillers including “Kidnap” with Hally Berry, romantic comedies like “Adaline” with Blake Lively, and other niche movies that performed much better on pay VOD services than they would in theaters.
The idea behind Originals Factory is to co-produce or acquire eight to 12 films per year and give them an exclusive premium rollout on transactional VOD services, first in France and eventually across Europe for six to eight weeks,...
- 5/14/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
French film company Orange Studio has acquired international sales rights to Erwan Marinopoulos’ “Kill Ben Lyk,” an English-language thriller set in London and starring Eugene Simon (“Game of Thrones”), Dimitri Leonidas (“The Monuments Men”) and Bronson Webb (“The Dark Knight”).
TF1 Studio will release “Kill Ben Lyk” in France and Orange Studio is unveiling a promo to buyers at the American Film Market.
“Kill Ben Lyk” is the first project of Zorg Studios, which is dedicated to producing tightly-budgeted genre projects in English with actors who have a large following on social media and have either starred in big franchises or hit TV series.
The thriller — Marinopoulos’ directorial debut — revolves around Ben Lyk, a YouTuber who finds out that three unrelated people — a trader, cab driver and surgeon — who share his name have been murdered. The murders prompt Scotland Yard to gather up the eight remaining people named Ben Lyk...
TF1 Studio will release “Kill Ben Lyk” in France and Orange Studio is unveiling a promo to buyers at the American Film Market.
“Kill Ben Lyk” is the first project of Zorg Studios, which is dedicated to producing tightly-budgeted genre projects in English with actors who have a large following on social media and have either starred in big franchises or hit TV series.
The thriller — Marinopoulos’ directorial debut — revolves around Ben Lyk, a YouTuber who finds out that three unrelated people — a trader, cab driver and surgeon — who share his name have been murdered. The murders prompt Scotland Yard to gather up the eight remaining people named Ben Lyk...
- 11/2/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
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