Mediawan Announces Purchase of Peter Chernin’s North Road
Mediawan, the French media powerhouse already known for its ownership of Brad Pitt’s Plan B, has announced its acquisition of Peter Chernin’s The North Road Company. The financial details of the deal, which marks a significant step for Mediawan, have not been disclosed.
The merger aims to create a collective of nearly 100 production companies, boasting an impressive annual production volume exceeding $2 billion across 15 countries. This newly-formed entity is behind noted productions such as Slow Horses, The Count of Monte Cristo, Ford v Ferrari, and the Planet of the Apes franchise.
Reports of the acquisition, which surfaced earlier this month, indicate that the new company will have a strong presence in the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Australia, Mexico, and Turkey. The North Road will serve as Mediawan’s North American hub, with its leadership structure, labels, and creative partnerships remaining unchanged. Peter Chernin is set to join Mediawan’s Board and will take on the role of Non-Executive Chairman of North Road. Scott Manson will serve as CEO, while Jenno Topping will retain her position as President of Chernin Entertainment. Jan Frouman, who was responsible for international operations, has recently departed and has not yet been succeeded.
Mediawan has made significant strides in the global production sector, expanding its portfolio with acquisitions such as the co-producer of Adolescence, Plan B, and the production company behind Slow Horses, See-Saw Films. North Road encompasses several media entities, including Chernin Entertainment, Chernin Entertainment Television, Kinetic Content, Worlds + Pictures, and North Road Television Studio. It also operates in Mexico through Perro Azul and Turkey via Karga Seven, along with a UK hub for Kinetic’s production of Love is Blind.
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Pierre-Antoine Capton, Mediawan’s co-founder, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “With the addition of Peter’s exceptional creative teams, we believe we are creating the ideal global home for premium storytelling. Peter is one of the most respected builders in our industry, and it is a true privilege for us to partner with him and Jesse Jacobs, and the North Road team on this next chapter. As our industry consolidates, our goal is to reinforce Mediawan’s position as the leading independent platform for premium content and as a trusted partner to streaming platforms and all content distributors worldwide. We will continue this work with humility and agility, delivering the best possible content for our viewers and our partners worldwide.”
Chernin added, “I’ve spent my career trying to focus on where the creative and entertainment businesses are going. In the streaming era, the platforms have all become global buyers. It’s time for a global content company with leadership in geographies all over the world to maximize the potential of this new landscape. I’m thrilled to partner with Pierre-Antoine, who shares this global vision, and Mediawan to build this company.”
This acquisition represents the largest deal of 2026 to date, echoing a trend of consolidation in the media industry. Other significant moves include Banijay and All3Media exploring a merger, Sky’s interest in acquiring ITV, and Netflix’s ongoing pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery.
