Zodiak Media

Zodiak Media
Formerly
  • MTV Produktion AB (1981–2005)
  • Zodiak Television AB (2005–2008)
  • Zodiak Entertainment (2008–2010)
  • Zodiak Media Group (2010–2012)
IndustryTV production
Predecessor
  • Magnolia Group
  • Marathon Group
  • RDF Media Group
Founded1981 (1981), in Sweden
Defunct2016 (2016), in Paris, France
FateAcquired by, merged with, and folded into Banijay Group; some assets still retained the Zodiak name
SuccessorBanijay Entertainment
Headquarters
Paris
,
France
Area served
Worldwide
ParentDe Agostini Communications (2008–2016)
Divisions
  • Zodiak Active
  • Zodiak Americas
  • Zodiak Belgium
  • Zodiak France
  • Zodiak Kids
  • Zodiak MEAA
  • Zodiak Nederland
  • Zodiak Nordic
  • Zodiak UK
  • Zodiak Russia
Subsidiaries

Zodiak Media (formerly known as MTV Produktion AB, Zodiak Television AB, Zodiak Entertainment and Zodiak Media Group) was a Swedish and later a French global independent television production & distribution conglomerate owned by Italian publishing company DeAgostini. In 2016, Zodiak Media merged with Banijay Entertainment.[1][2]

Zodiak Media was best known for producing and distributing entertainment, animated series, scripted & non-scripted content.

The division, Zodiak Rights continued as the international distribution arm of Banijay Entertainment.[3]

History

Zodiak Media was formed by the successive acquisition of three television production companies: Magnolia and Marathon Media in 2007; Zodiak Television in 2008; and RDF Media in 2010.[4][5]

Zodiak Media's verification was first documented in 1981 with the registration of its initial entity, MTV Produktion AB (Mobile Television). Initially, Zodiak Media was a technical facility creating broadcasts for other production companies. When commercial (cable television) began in Sweden in the late 1980s, Zodiak Media pivoted towards broadcast programming.

In August 1995, Zodiak Media expanded with a new division in Denmark registered as MTV Produktion A/S.[6] Two months later, Zodiak Media acquired Kanon Television from Strix, another Swedish production company. Kanon Television continued as a subsidiary of Zodiak Media.[7]

A major media entity, Zodiak Media's in-house international entertainment distribution division, was formed when Zodiak Media acquired Mastiff Entertainment from the Swedish company, Bonnier Group in April 2003.[8] In September 2003, Mastiff and Zodiak Media merged. Bonnier Group gained 36% equity in Zodiak Media.[9] They sold 25% of the equity in June 2005.

Zodiak Media purchased the Swedish production company, Jarowskij and its Finish division in August 2004. Zodiak Media continued the Jarowskij brand and distributed its products internationally.[10] The following year, in 2005, new brand names including Zodiak Television AB, Zodiak Television World (MTV Mastiff) being retained as a production label within the renamed company. Also in 2005, in May, Zodiac Media acquired the Finnish production company, Broadcasters Group. [11] Then in June 2005, Zodiak Media issued 117 million Swedish krona of shares to fund future acquisitions.[12] These included 35% equity in the Polish company, Zebra Media in January 2006 and 34% equity in the Russian company, TeleAlliance and its subsidiaries, Dixi Media, Teleformat and Rytm.[13][14] Zodiak Media also acquired Look Productions (Denmark, March 2006); Diverse Productions (United Kingdom, October 2006); and, Yellow Bird (Seden, February 2007).[15][16][17]

Zodiak Media created Zodiak Vostok, a division of the company based in Moscow (January 2007) and then purchased 75% equity in YS Films (Ukraine, 2007).[18][19] Bullseye TV was acquired in the United Kingdom (January 2008); Kanakna (Benelux, October 2007; a 35% equity in Sol (India, October 2007); Lucky Day Productions (United Kingdom, November 2007);[20][21][22][23] Zodiak Media's equity in Sol increased to 51% in March 2008.[24][25]

In May 2008, Zodiak Media was purchased by De Agostini, an Italian based publishing and holding company.[26][27] At this point, the company was called Zodiak Entertainment with a head office in Paris.[1] Zodiak Media made further acquisitions including Palm Plus (Netherlands, 2008); Dangerous Films (an independent film production company, United Kingdom, 2009); RDF Media Group (United Kingdom, June 2010).[28][29][30][31] An office was opened in Bogotá, Colombia in April 2010 with RM 5, a joint venture company in Miami.[32] The South American division was later renamed Zodiak América Latina.[33] A office, Zodiak USA was opened in Los Angeles.[34]

Zodiak Media Group was named as such in June, 2010 and then as Zodiak Media in January 2012.[35][36][37]

In 2011, a children's' entertainment division was formed 2011 as Zodiak Kids.[38] Bwark Productions was acquired (July 2011, United Kingdom).[39] The Polish subsidiary, Mastiff was divested in March 2012.[40][41] In July 2012, a new division, Zodiak Americas was created in the United States.[42]

Between June 2015 and January 2016, Zodiak Media merged with Banijay Group, a French multinational television production and distribution company.[43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Barraclough, Leo (November 26, 2008). "De Agostini unrevils new look Zodiak". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "Home". Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  3. ^ Zodiak Rights (24 November 2016). "Zodiak Rights". Zodiak Rights. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Content Production / Distribution". Gruppo de Agostini. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  5. ^ Sweney, Mark "RDF Media sold to Zodiak Entertainment", The Guardian, Wednesday 2 June 2010. Retrieved on 27 November 2012.
  6. ^ "MTV Produktion starts a Danish subsidiary". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). August 28, 1995. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Strix sells Kanon TV to MTV". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). October 31, 1995. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Edmunds, Marlene (September 3, 2003). "MTV Mastiff keeps eye on formats". Variety. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Waller, Ed (April 17, 2003). "Merger paves way for Scandi TV giant". C21Media. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Edmunds, Marlene (August 19, 2004). "MTV buys Jarowskij". Variety. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Edmunds, Marlene (May 3, 2005). "Group joins Zodiak production team". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  12. ^ "Zodiak plans share issue to fund acquisitions". C21Media. June 17, 2005.
  13. ^ "Zodiak chases Zebra". Variety. January 6, 2006. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Schreiber, Dominic (February 5, 2006). "Zodiak buys into Russia". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "Zodiak buys U.K.'s Diverse". Variety. October 19, 2006. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  16. ^ Grant, Jules (October 16, 2006). "Zodiak's Diverse acquisition goes through". C21Media. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "Zodiak captures Yellow Bird". C21Media. February 26, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  18. ^ "Zodiak Acquire 75% Of YS Films". 4FRV. August 22, 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  19. ^ Rosser, Michael (August 23, 2007). "Zodiak builds East Euro production presence". C21Media. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  20. ^ "Zodiak targets Bullseye". C21Media. August 28, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "Zodiak Acquires British Firm Bullseye". Worldscreen. August 28, 2007. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  22. ^ "Zodiak Television And Kanakna Join Forces". 4RFV. October 1, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  23. ^ "Zodiak takes a stake in Indian production company SOL". GlobalNewsWire (Press release). October 8, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  24. ^ "Zodiak increases stake in India's Sol". The Hollywood Reporter. March 30, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  25. ^ Welsh, James (November 27, 2007). "Zodiak invests in Lucky Day". DigitalSpy. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  26. ^ Day, Michael (May 26, 2008). "De Agostini sees more in Zodiak". Variety. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Daswasi, Mansha (May 27, 2008). "Italy's De Agostini Makes Offer for Zodiak Television". Worldscreen. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 2, 2010). "Zodiak Acquires RDF To Create Indie Giant". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  29. ^ Goldman Getzler, Wendy (June 2, 2010). "Zodiak Entertainment acquires RDF Media Group, appoints CEO". Kidscreen. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  30. ^ "Zodiak takes control of Dangerous". Variety. October 8, 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  31. ^ Akyuz, Gün (October 8, 2009). "Zodiak, Ricky Martin form JV". C21Media. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "Colombian deal for Zodiak". C21Media. April 14, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  33. ^ Webdale, Jonathan (April 14, 2011). "Zodiak rejigs Lat Am business". C21Media. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  34. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 22, 2010). "RDF USA To Become Zodiak USA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Zodiak Media Group launches Zodiak Active". Advanced Television. December 13, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  36. ^ Leffler, Rebecca (January 24, 2012). "Zodiak Media Group Re-Brands". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  37. ^ Zahed, Ramin (January 24, 2012). "Zodiak Media Rebrands, Announces New Appointments". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  38. ^ Laughlin, Andrew (February 24, 2011). "Zodiak Media Group launches Zodiak Kids". DigitalSpy. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Zodiak nabs Bwark". Variety. July 28, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  40. ^ Whittock, Jesse (March 30, 2012). "Zodiak sheds Polish prodco in MBO". C21Media. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  41. ^ "Zodiak Media Offloads Mastiff Media Polska". Worldscreen. March 30, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  42. ^ "Zodiak Targets Expansion With Launch Of Zodiak Americas". Deadline Hollywood. July 11, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Franks, Nico (June 16, 2015). "Banijay, Zodiak discuss merger". C21Media. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  44. ^ Jaafar, Ali (July 28, 2015). "Zodiak And Banijay Complete Merger To Create Pan-Euro Giant". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  45. ^ Franks, Nico (July 28, 2015). "Zodiak CEO to exit post-Banijay merger". C21Media. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  46. ^ Barraclough, Leo; Keslassy, Elsa (July 28, 2015). "Banijay, Zodiak to Merge to Create $1 Billion Production House". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  47. ^ "Stéphane Courbit: "Banijay devient un acteur majeur de la production mondiale"". LEFIGARO (in French). 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  48. ^ "EC approves Zodiak, Banijay merger". C21Media. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  49. ^ Dickson, Jeremy (February 23, 2016). "Zodiak and Banijay finalize merger". Kidscreen. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  50. ^ Middleton, Richard; Franks, Nico (February 23, 2016). "Banijay-Zodiak merger completed". C21Media. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  51. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (February 23, 2016). "Banijay, Zodiak Complete Merger; Vivendi Nabs 26.2% Share". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  52. ^ "Banijay Group et Zodiak Media fusionnent pour former un géant mondial de la production". ozap.com (in French). 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
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