French Production Company Mediawan in Talks to Acquire Peter Chernin’s North Road

French media company Mediawan is currently in discussions to merge with Peter Chernin’s North Road Co. This potential merger would value North Road at an impressive $700 million, as reported by Bloomberg.

Chernin’s North Road Co. is known for its ownership of film and television intellectual property like the “Planet of the Apes” films, along with popular unscripted shows such as “Love is Blind” and “The Ultimatum.”

Mediawan, a major player in the European media landscape, has previously acquired a majority stake in Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment. Founded in 2015 by Pierre-Antoine Capton and French telecom billionaire Xavier Niel, Mediawan oversees more than 75 European media companies and produces over 400 film and television titles annually.

On the other hand, Peter Chernin, former chairman at Fox, has seen much of his assets shift in recent years. In a significant 2023 deal, North Road received a $150 million investment from the Qatar sovereign wealth fund, valuing the company at over $1 billion.

North Road comprises several banners, including Chernin Entertainment, Kinetic, Perro Azul, Omaha, and Words + Pictures. One of its leading banners, Chernin Entertainment, has produced hit films like “Ford v Ferrari,” “Hidden Figures,” and “The Greatest Showman,” in addition to partnering with Netflix for various projects including “Back in Action,” the “Fear Street” trilogy, “Slumberland,” and “Luther: The Fallen Sun.”

Notably, North Road recently secured a multi-year first-look film deal with Apple TV+, expanding its reach and impact in the ever-evolving entertainment industry landscape.