Fremantle (RTL Group’s global content production business) has agreed with Oaktree Capital Management to acquire Asacha Media Group. Asacha Media Group is a European production group based in Paris that owns majority stakes in eight production companies in France, Italy, and the UK, focusing on scripted and unscripted content. Under the terms of the deal, Fremantle can acquire the outstanding shareholdings in the eight production companies over the next years.
This acquisition of Asacha Media Group follows Fremantle’s recent acquisition of an 80 per cent majority stake in the production company Beach House Pictures, focusing on scripted, non-scripted and brand-funded programming in Asia. And the deal closed on February 8, 2024. Under the agreement, Fremantle has an option to fully acquire Beach House after 2027.
For both acquisitions combined, RTL Group will invest over €200 million. And the acquisitions of Asacha Media Group and Beach House Pictures are part of Fremantle’s boost plan to reach €3 billion in full-year revenue by 2025. And RTL Group is investing in Fremantle across all three content pillars: entertainment, drama and film, and documentaries. In total, Fremantle acquired 13 companies in the past three years, including Lux Vide, This is Nice Group, Eureka, Element Pictures, Wildstar Films and 72 Films.
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and expected to close in the second quarter of 2024.
KEY QUOTES:
”The acquisitions of Asacha Media Group and Beach House Pictures are part of Fremantle’s boost plan: to invest in and grow premium production companies around the world and to work with world-class talent. With the acquisitions, Fremantle is well on track to reach its €3 billion revenue target, effectively doubling the global video production business within five years.”
“Over the past years, Fremantle has significantly grown its portfolio across all genres, with acquisitions in the Nordics, the UK, Italy, the US and Australia. Asacha Media Group complements Fremantle’s European footprint with eight distinctive labels, while Beach House Pictures strengthens Fremantle’s position in Asia – a growth region within its strategic boost plan.“
– Thomas Rabe, Chief Executive Officer of RTL Group
