RedBird IMI, led by Jeff Zucker and Gerry Cardinale, is currently positioned as the leading contender in the race to acquire All3Media, a prominent U.K. production and distribution entity, according to reliable sources at Variety.
Reports from the Financial Times indicate that RedBird IMI is engaged in advanced negotiations for the purchase of All3Media, valued at £1 billion ($1.26 billion). The decision to sell All3Media was initiated by joint owners Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global, who acquired the company in 2014 for £550 million and put it on the market earlier this year.
While insiders have hinted at the possibility of exclusive negotiations before Christmas, caution is advised as there are still other contenders in the mix. Notably, Banijay, a major player in the French entertainment industry, submitted an offer on November 30 but subsequently withdrew. Other interested parties include ITV, Goldman Sachs, Sony, and the North Road Company.
RedBird and Warner Bros. Discovery have chosen not to comment on the ongoing discussions. Representatives for All3Media and Liberty Global have not responded to requests for comments from Variety.
RedBird IMI’s influence in the U.K. has extended beyond entertainment, with recent bids for national newspapers such as the Telegraph and the Spectator. Jeff Zucker, in a November interview, expressed ambitions to expand the business into the U.S., envisioning The Telegraph as a robust global media brand with a strong center-right perspective.
All3Media, recognized for its notable productions like “Fleabag,” “The Tourist” starring Jamie Dornan, and reality TV sensation “The Traitors,” boasts a portfolio that includes Neal Street Productions, Two Brothers Pictures, All3Media International, and digital agency Little Dot Studios, contributing to its allure in the ongoing acquisition talks.
