Report: Banijay and Mediawan weigh bids for Lionsgate

Media reports: According to a Reuters exclusive on 14 July, Hollywood studio Lionsgate (Hunger Games, John Wick) is exploring a sale and has engaged an investment bank; Bolloré (Canal+) and Banijay were initially named as suitors. Variety reports that Banijay and France's Mediawan group are weighing bids, while Bolloré is not bidding. Lionsgate shares jumped about 9% after hours; a deal remains uncertain. UPDATE (29 July 2026): Banijay chief executive François Riahi publicly ruled out a bid for Lionsgate, saying the group is focused on integrating recent acquisitions and cutting its debt of more than €5bn. Of the suitors originally named, only Mediawan therefore remains in the running.