Tele Images Productions
Tele Images Productions was a French television production company focused initially on children's programming and later on animation, live-action series, and television drama.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Tele Images Productions was a French television production company established in 1983 by Simone Harari. The business developed from a children’s television producer into a broader production and distribution operation working across animation, live-action programming, drama, and series production. It was formerly known as Tele Images Kids, a name that reflected its original concentration on children’s content. The company’s activities included the development and production of animated and live-action television programs, as well as the international distribution of programming libraries. Philippe Alessandri joined the company in 1998 and led its animation production activities, helping strengthen the animation side of the business. Tele Images also expanded through corporate transactions and partnerships. In January 2000, it joined forces with Christian Charret, president of GTV Productions, to acquire the remaining shares of GTV Productions from Gaumont. GTV became a Tele Images subsidiary while keeping its own name, and Tele Images’ distribution division, Tele Images International, handled international distribution of GTV programming. The group continued to grow in the early 2000s. In 2004, Groupe Tele Images acquired Adventure Line Productions from Studio Expand after Canal+ placed the Studio Expand companies on the market. In 2005, Groupe Tele Images and its former financial owner Bridgepoint Capital agreed to combine the business with Marathon Media. The transaction was completed in January 2006, creating Marathon Group, with Tele Images, GTV Productions, and Adventure Line Productions becoming part of the new group. Simone Harari stepped down during the merger process. Marathon Group subsequently became part of a larger international consolidation. Italian publisher De Agostini acquired Marathon Group in 2007. In 2008, De Agostini and Marathon Group acquired Scandinavian television company Zodiak Television AB. The transaction was completed later that year, and the enlarged organization was renamed Zodiak Entertainment. Tele Images therefore operated within a progressively larger European production and distribution network rather than as an independent company. In 2010, Tele Images Kids was rebranded Tele Images Productions as the company broadened beyond children’s programming into television drama and other series. Arnaud Figaret was appointed producer and vice-president in connection with the rebranding. In 2011, Zodiak Media regrouped Tele Images Productions with Marathon Media and the British production company The Foundation under Zodiak Kids, creating a more integrated children’s and family-content structure. The company’s later management was also linked to the wider Zodiak organization. In 2014, Philippe Alessandri stepped down as president of Zodiak Kids and as chief executive of Marathon Images, while Benoît Runel became managing director of Zodiak Kids France and assumed responsibility for Tele Images Productions and Marathon Media. In 2016, Banijay merged with Zodiak. Tele Images Productions was subsequently folded into Zodiak Kids Studios, ending its existence as a distinct operating company or brand in the form described by its standalone Wikipedia subject.
History
Tele Images Productions began in France in 1983 under the direction of Simone Harari. Its original identity was closely associated with children’s television, and the company was previously known as Tele Images Kids. It produced both animated and live-action programs, establishing a position in a sector where French producers increasingly sought international partners and distribution reach. A major development came in 1998, when Philippe Alessandri joined the company to lead animation production. Two years later, Tele Images announced a transaction involving GTV Productions and its president, Christian Charret. Together they acquired the remaining shares of GTV Productions held by Gaumont, which was concentrating on film production. GTV became a subsidiary of Tele Images and retained its name. Tele Images International distributed GTV’s programming library and series in overseas markets, extending the company’s role beyond production into rights exploitation and international sales. Groupe Tele Images pursued further expansion in 2004 by acquiring Adventure Line Productions from Studio Expand. The transaction followed Canal+’s decision to sell Studio Expand companies. By 2005, Tele Images and its financial partner Bridgepoint Capital had agreed to combine the company with Marathon Media. The merger was completed in January 2006, resulting in Marathon Group. Tele Images and its subsidiaries, including GTV Productions and Adventure Line Productions, became components of the new group. Simone Harari left the group as part of the consolidation. The ownership structure changed again in 2007, when De Agostini acquired Marathon Group. In 2008, Marathon Group and De Agostini acquired Zodiak Television AB, a Scandinavian production and distribution company. The acquisition was completed in November, and the combined operation was renamed Zodiak Entertainment. Tele Images consequently became part of a broader European entertainment network with production, distribution, and international development capabilities. In September 2010, Tele Images Kids changed its name to Tele Images Productions. The rebrand reflected diversification into television drama and series in addition to the company’s established children’s and animation work. Arnaud Figaret was identified as producer and vice-president of the rebranded company. In February 2011, Zodiak Media reorganized Tele Images Productions alongside Marathon Media and The Foundation under Zodiak Kids, aligning the companies within a dedicated children’s and family-content division. The company remained subject to group-level management changes. In late 2014, Philippe Alessandri stepped down as president of Zodiak Kids and chief executive of Marathon Images. Benoît Runel succeeded him as managing director of Zodiak Kids France and took responsibility for Tele Images Productions and Marathon Media. This arrangement further emphasized the company’s integration into Zodiak’s French operating structure. In 2016, Banijay merged with Zodiak. Tele Images Productions was later merged into Zodiak Kids Studios. As a result, the standalone Tele Images Productions entity ceased to be an independent operating brand, while its production capabilities and catalog became part of the successor group’s children’s and family-content activities.
- 2016
Banijay merges with Zodiak
[1]The Zodiak organization is combined with Banijay, after which Tele Images Productions is integrated into Zodiak Kids Studios.
- 2011
The company is regrouped under Zodiak Kids
[1]Tele Images Productions is placed alongside Marathon Media and The Foundation within Zodiak Kids.
- 2010
Tele Images Kids becomes Tele Images Productions
[1]The company adopts a broader name to reflect work in drama and television series beyond children’s programming.
- 2008
Tele Images enters Zodiak Entertainment
[1]Following the acquisition of Zodiak Television AB, Marathon Group and related operations are reorganized under the Zodiak Entertainment name.
- 2006
Tele Images becomes part of Marathon Group
[1]The merger with Marathon Media is completed and the combined organization is named Marathon Group.
- 2004
Adventure Line Productions is acquired
[1]Groupe Tele Images acquires Adventure Line Productions from Studio Expand.
- 2000
GTV Productions becomes a subsidiary
[1]Tele Images and Christian Charret acquire the remaining Gaumont-held shares in GTV Productions, which becomes a Tele Images subsidiary.
- 1998
Philippe Alessandri joins the company
[1]Philippe Alessandri joins Tele Images to lead animation production.
- 1983
Tele Images is established
[1]Simone Harari establishes the French television production company that later becomes known as Tele Images Productions.
Products and positioning
A French television producer and distributor that originated in children's programming, developed expertise in animation and live action, and later broadened into drama and general television series before being integrated into larger European production groups.
Animation
Animated television programming
Animation was a central part of Tele Images’ creative identity, particularly after Philippe Alessandri joined in 1998 to lead animation production. The company developed and produced animated television programming within its children’s-content business and later operated inside larger groups with dedicated animation and family-entertainment divisions.
Children's television
Live-action children's programming
Before adopting the Tele Images Productions name, the company was known as Tele Images Kids and produced live-action programming for children alongside animation. This work formed the foundation of the company’s early market position and its later alignment with Zodiak Kids.
Scripted television · 2010
Television drama and series
The 2010 rebrand from Tele Images Kids to Tele Images Productions signaled an expansion into television drama and broader series production. The wider remit complemented the company’s children’s and animation activities and positioned it within the diversified production portfolio of Zodiak’s French operations.
Television distribution · 2000
International program distribution
Through Tele Images International, the company distributed programming libraries and series internationally. The distribution operation was particularly relevant after GTV Productions became a subsidiary, allowing Tele Images to exploit and circulate GTV content in markets outside France.
Brand decisions
2016
Integrate Tele Images into the Banijay-Zodiak successor structureM&ABackground
Banijay and Zodiak merged, creating a larger international television production group.
Action taken
Tele Images Productions was merged into Zodiak Kids Studios after the group-level transaction.
Aftermath
The Tele Images Productions name ceased to represent a standalone operating company.
2011
Regroup under Zodiak KidsStrategyBackground
Zodiak Media sought to coordinate its children’s and family-content businesses.
Action taken
Tele Images Productions was grouped with Marathon Media and The Foundation under Zodiak Kids.
Aftermath
The company became part of a dedicated international children’s-content structure rather than operating as an independently organized unit.
2010
Rebrand from Tele Images Kids to Tele Images ProductionsStrategyBackground
The company was diversifying beyond children’s programming into television drama and series.
Action taken
Tele Images Kids adopted the Tele Images Productions name and appointed Arnaud Figaret as producer and vice-president.
Aftermath
The new identity presented the company as a broader television producer while preserving its animation and children’s-content heritage.
2005
Combine with Marathon MediaM&ABackground
Tele Images and Bridgepoint Capital pursued a larger French production and distribution platform with Marathon Media.
Action taken
The parties agreed to merge Tele Images and its subsidiaries with Marathon Media; completion followed in January 2006.
Aftermath
The combined business became Marathon Group, and Simone Harari stepped down during the consolidation.
2004
Acquire Adventure Line ProductionsM&ABackground
Studio Expand companies were being sold after Canal+ announced its decision to divest them.
Action taken
Groupe Tele Images acquired Adventure Line Productions.
Aftermath
Tele Images broadened its production group before the subsequent combination with Marathon Media.
2000
Acquire the remaining shares of GTV ProductionsM&ABackground
Tele Images and GTV Productions president Christian Charret sought to acquire the remaining GTV shares held by Gaumont, which was prioritizing film production.
Action taken
Tele Images completed the acquisition and made GTV Productions a subsidiary while retaining the GTV name. Tele Images International assumed international distribution responsibilities for GTV programming.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Tele Images’ production portfolio and strengthened its distribution activity.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/tele-images-productions · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled