Ben Samek, CEO of Banijay Americas, will oversee the combined U.S. operations of Banijay Entertainment and All3Media following the completion of their $8 billion merger, according to sources familiar with the matter. The deal, finalized earlier this month, creates what the companies describe as the world's largest independent production group, behind hit series such as Big Brother, The Traitors, and Peaky Blinders.
Samek’s expanded role underscores the merged entity's focus on the U.S. market, which it sees as a key growth opportunity. The merger, valued at $8 billion, brings together two of the biggest players in global television production. Banijay and All3Media finalized their combination earlier this month, forming a powerhouse with an extensive library of reality and scripted content.
Both Deadline and Variety reported Samek’s appointment, with Deadline characterizing it as an exclusive understanding and Variety noting it came as expected. The U.S. market is considered the single largest opportunity for the newly formed company, which aims to leverage its combined scale to compete aggressively in a consolidating media landscape.