Banijay Kids & Family
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | February 2011 |
| Founder | Zodiak Media |
| Headquarters | Neuilly-sur-Seine , France |
Key people | Benoît Di Sabatino (CEO) |
| Owner | Banijay Entertainment |
| Parent | Banijay Entertainment |
Banijay Kids & Family, previously known as Zodiak Kids, is a French-based television production firm operating under the ownership of Banijay Entertainment, with headquarters located in Neuilly-sur-Seine. Established in February 2011 by Zodiak Media, it unified multiple children’s content production companies. The current CEO is Benoît Di Sabatino.
History
In September 2005, Marathon Media combined forces with the French branch of the British investment firm Bridgepoint Capital, which owned the French television group Tele Images. This merger created the largest production and distribution entity in France, encompassing subsidiaries such as GTV Productions and Adventure Line Productions, the creators of Fort Boyard. Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel retained ownership interests in Marathon’s animation division. By January 2006, this merger was finalized, resulting in the formation of Marathon Group.
In July 2007, the Italian holding company De Agostini acquired Marathon Group from Bridgepoint Capital, marking an expansion into significant European content production markets. The following year, in February 2008, Marathon secured a controlling interest in French producer KM Production and merged it with its subsidiary Adventure Line Productions; Renaud Le Van Kim, KM’s founder, continued to lead the company.
De Agostini further expanded its media footprint in May 2008 by acquiring Swedish production and distribution firm Zodiak Television AB. This acquisition was combined with Marathon Group and Magnolia to establish a global production conglomerate. The integration completed in November 2008 saw Zodiak Television AB rebranded as Zodiak Entertainment, with Marathon Media and Tele Images operating as subsidiaries.
In February 2011, Zodiak Media inaugurated its children’s content division named Zodiak Kids. This new unit brought together French animation producers Marathon Media and Tele Images Productions, British company The Foundation TV Productions, the kids entertainment arm of Zodiak Active, along with Zodiak Rights’ children and family distribution segment.
Towards the end of 2014, Philippe Alessandri resigned from his roles as president of Tele Images Productions and CEO of Marathon Images. Benoît Runel was then appointed managing director of Zodiak Kids France, overseeing both Tele Images and Marathon Media operations.
By April 2015, Zodiak Kids expanded its digital presence by launching two YouTube channels—ZeeKay and ZeeKay Junior—partnering with Zodiak Kids Studios and external content creators to produce original programming.
In February 2016, Zodiak Media merged with the French independent producer Banijay Group, forming the largest independent television production company globally. As part of this merger, Zodiak Kids became Banijay’s dedicated children’s production subsidiary, with Marathon being integrated into this structure. The Zodiak Kids brand continued until 2022 before adopting the Banijay identity.
In September 2018, Benoît Di Sabatino, co-founder of MoonScoop, was appointed CEO of Zodiak Kids, succeeding Jean-Philippe Randisi.
In April 2021, Banijay acquired Monello Productions, a Paris-based animation studio founded in 2013 by former Tele Images SVP Giorgio Welter. Monello joined the Zodiak Kids division while retaining operational independence under Welter’s direction.
By November 2021, Banijay consolidated its children’s production units—including Zodiak Kids & Family, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, and Monello Productions—into a unified division named Banijay Kids & Family.
In September 2022, Banijay Kids & Family further expanded by acquiring UK live-action studio Kindle Entertainment and Italian animation studio Movimenti Production from ForFun Media.
In January 2024, the distribution arm formerly known as Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution was rebranded as Banijay Kids & Family Distribution.
Most recently, in September 2024, Banijay Entertainment purchased a majority stake in French animation studio Procidis, integrating it into Banijay Kids & Family. Benoît Di Sabatino assumed the role of president while Hélène Barillé continued as managing director.
Banijay Kids & Family Distribution
Banijay Kids & Family Distribution, previously known as Zodiak Kids & Family Distribution, functions as the distribution branch of Banijay Kids & Family. The division is headed by Delphine Dumont, who holds the position of chief commercial officer.
Kindle Entertainment
Established in 2007 by Anne Brogan and Melanie Strokes, Kindle Entertainment is a UK-based television production company. Melanie Strokes serves as managing director, while Emma Stuart fulfills the role of creative director.
Monello Productions
Founded in 2013, Monello Productions is a French animation studio led by Giorgio Welter and Cécile Sady, who act as president and chief commercial officer respectively.
Movimenti Production
Movimenti Production is an Italian animation studio created in 2004 by Giorgio Scorza, Davide Rosio, and Roberto Cipriani. Co-CEOs and Creative Directors are Scorza and Rosio.
Procidis
Originating in 1962, Procidis is a French animation studio established by Albert Barillé. Currently, Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO of Banijay Kids & Family, serves as president, with Hélène Barillé as managing director.
Tiger Aspect Kids & Family
The British television production company Tiger Aspect Kids & Family was formed in 2002 as the animation branch of Tiger Aspect. Tom Beattie acts as managing director.
Tiger Aspect’s animation division and parent entity were acquired by IMG Media Group in June 2006. Subsequently, IMG sold both Tiger Aspect and its animation arm to the Dutch media firm Endemol via its UK subsidiary, thereby adding an animation production segment to Endemol’s portfolio. Banijay later purchased Endemol, including Tiger Aspect and its animation division.
Zodiak Kids & Family France
Originally founded in 1990 by Pascal Breton and Olivier Bremond, Zodiak Kids & Family France has undergone several name changes including Marathon Productions, Marathon Animation, Marathon Media, and Zodiak Kids Studio France. Vincent Chalvon-Demersay joined in 1999 to develop the company’s animation content alongside David Michel. The current CEO is Benoît Di Sabatino.
In September 2005, Marathon Media merged with the French branch of British private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital, which owned French TV producer Tele Images. This merger created the largest production and distribution group in France, integrating Tele Images’ subsidiaries GTV Productions and Adventure Line Productions, known for producing Fort Boyard. Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel maintained ownership stakes in Marathon’s animation division. By January 2006, this combined entity was rebranded as Marathon Group.
In July 2007, Italian holding company De Agostini acquired Marathon Media along with its parent Marathon Group from Bridgepoint Capital, positioning De Agostini as a significant European content producer.
In February 2008, Marathon Group purchased a majority interest in KM Production, an independent French producer specializing in entertainment and documentaries. KM was then integrated into Marathon’s operations with founder Renaud Le Van Kim continuing to lead the company. This acquisition reunited KM with Adventure Line Productions, previously part of Canal+’s StudioExpand.
In May 2008, De Agostini and Marathon Group agreed to acquire Swedish production and distribution firm Zodiak Television AB. The deal finalized in November merged De Agostini’s television arms Marathon Group and Magnolia with Zodiak Television AB to form Zodiak Entertainment. Marathon Media and Tele Images became subsidiaries under this newly established global content enterprise.
David Michel, co-founder and general manager of Marathon Media, resigned from his position in February 2014.
Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK
Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK (previously known as The Foundation and Zodiak Kids Studio UK) is a UK-based television production firm established in 1994, currently headed by CEO Gwen Hughes.
In August 2006, RDF Media Group acquired The Foundation to broaden its portfolio in children’s and family programming. The original founders, Vanessa Hill and Ged Allen, remained involved with the company alongside Nigel Pickard, RDF's director of family entertainment.
Tele Images Productions
Tele Images Productions, established in 1985 by Simone Harari, focused on producing animation and live-action content for children. Philippe Alessandri joined the team in 1998 to oversee animation production. The company combined with Marathon Media in 2006 to create Marathon Group, which was subsequently purchased by Zodiak Media in 2008. It became part of Zodiak Kids in 2011 before ceasing operations in 2016.
Zodiak Active
Zodiak Active was created in 2010 through the merger of Zodiak Media’s Neo Network and RDF Contact, concentrating on producing digital and branded content.