Ben Samek to oversee Banijay-All3Media operations in the U.S.
Variety reports the Banijay Americas CEO is set to lead the merged company’s U.S. business after its $8 billion deal closed.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Ben Samek, Banijay Americas’ chief executive, is expected to oversee the combined U.S. business formed by the Banijay and All3Media merger, Variety reported.
The move follows the closing earlier this month of the $8 billion tie-up between Banijay and All3Media. The companies have described the merged operation as “the world’s largest independent production company,” according to Variety.
The newly renamed Banijay Entertainment will be headquartered in London. Variety reported that Banijay Group and RedBird IMI each own 50% of the company.
At the top of the combined business, Jeff Zucker is chairman, Marco Bassetti is chief executive and Jane Turton is deputy chief executive, according to Variety.
Who is Ben Samek?
Samek has been CEO of Banijay Americas since February 2023, after previously serving as the division’s president and chief operating officer from 2018, Variety reported.
His career has been rooted in unscripted television. Variety reported that Samek began at Bunim/Murray Productions, later won an Emmy as a producer on “The Amazing Race,” and went on to become chief operating officer of 51 Minds Entertainment.
Before his Banijay Americas roles, Samek held posts at Endemol USA and Endemol Shine North America. Variety reported that he also helped with the transition after Banijay acquired Endemol Shine Group.
What shows sit under Banijay Americas?
Banijay Americas includes a long list of production labels, many of them tied to unscripted TV. Variety named Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Truly Original, 51 Minds, Authentic Entertainment, Endemol Shine Boomdog and Banijay Mexico among the companies in the group.
Major franchises under Samek’s watch include “Big Brother,” “MasterChef,” “MasterChef Junior,” “Below Deck,” “Below Deck Mediterranean,” “The Challenge,” “Deal or No Deal Island” and “Lego Masters,” according to Variety.
Samek has also been involved in growing shows beyond their original homes. Variety reported that he led the expansion of “Somebody Feed Phil” from Netflix into a broader deal at YouTube, and has pushed Banijay intellectual property into immersive experiences.
Where does All3Media fit in?
All3Media Americas has been less active in recent years, Variety reported, but the wider All3Media business brings a major U.S. success through Studio Lambert: Peacock’s “The Traitors.”
The U.S. leadership plan puts Samek over a combined operation with familiar reality-TV muscle on one side and All3Media’s hit-making pedigree on the other. Variety reported the arrangement as the next expected step after the merger’s completion.
Banijay Entertainment’s global structure gives the merged company a London base and shared ownership between Banijay Group and RedBird IMI. In the U.S., Samek is now positioned to steer the combined labels and franchises as the newly enlarged production group settles into its post-merger shape.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.