TF1 : Newen and Anton announce a strategic agreement

Paris, October 24, 2019

Newen and Anton announce a strategic agreement

Newen, major player in European production and leader in France in audiovisual production and distribution, is pleased to announce that it has signed a strategic agreement with Anton, a producer and financier of global content.

Anton will be a co-investor in Newen's distribution rights for both group productions and third-party programs across all genres (fiction, documentary and animation) up to 35 Million Euros.

This agreement is a new growth driver for Newen who implemented an expansion plan over a year ago. The new partnership is a sign of confidence in its strategy from a recognised market leader in Anton, who has successfully co-financed projects with Studiocanal and BBC Studios.

Romain Bessi, Newen Managing Director, said: 'I am very pleased with this agreement with Anton, which shares our ambition. Its support will help speed up our growth and expand our European projects by boosting their export potential.'

Sébastien Raybaud, CEO and founder of Anton, said: 'Newen has a proven track record in creating original, world-class content for the global market. We are excited to be partnering with the group at this key moment in its expansion.'

About Newen

Founded in 2008, Newen is a subsidiary of the TF1 Group. Major player in European production and leader in France in audiovisual production and distribution. Newen creates programmes for all sector players, including public and private channels and digital platforms. It is also a leading audiovisual distributor in France and abroad, with more than 1,100 hours of programmes produced per year and a catalogue of more than 5,000 hours of programmes internationally.

About Anton

Founded by Sebastien Raybaud in 2011, Anton is a global content provider of commercial, high quality product across multiple platforms. The company has co-financed international hit features such as the Paddington franchise; Non-Stop; Shaun The Sheep and the upcoming animated feature Fireheart, from the producers of Ballerina. Recent television projects include the acclaimed BBC series and recent International Emmy nominee, 'McMafia;' 'Les Misérables;' 'Gentleman Jack;' 'North Water;' and the highly anticipated BBC/HBO adaptation of Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials,' starring James McAvoy and Ruth Wilson, directed by Tom Hooper. Anton also has a co-financing/co-production partnership with Federation Entertainment spanning a slate of 15 productions. Anton's newly launched film production arm includes titles such as Greenland, starring Gerard Butler; The Night House, starring Rebecca Hall; Naked Singularity, starring John Boyega, and Come Closer, to be directed by David Slade.