Claude Carrere

Milestones in the Company’s development

1986: Creation of the Company

Claude Carrere founded Carrere Television with capital of EUR 38,113. Initially it produced popular programmes and games.

1990-1994: The Carrere Television years

From January 1990 under the name Carrere Television, Carrere Group was the French leader in the production of "Prime Time" programmes, particularly on TF1 with “Avis de Recherche”, “Tous à la Une”, “Intervilles”, “Succès Fous”, “La Une est à Vous”, “La Roue de la Fortune”, etc.

1994: The advent of animation

Carrere Group turned to animation and acquired the rights to “Poil de Carotte”, a famous novel by Jules Renard, producing a 26’x26’ series with TF1 and Dupuis, which was distributed worldwide.

1995: First Franco-American co-production

The first Franco-American co-production was “Flash Gordon”, the famous comic strip character. This series was sold all over the world, and the Company followed it with “ Barbe Rouge” and “Jungle Show” based on an original concept of a group of happy animals in the world of music.

1996: Development of animation speeds up

“Les Jules”, produced by Carrere Group, with Tchin Tchin, France 2 and Picha. The Carrere studio had 50 artists working on the Company’s premises. “Shéhérazade” was the first 52 x 26 minute series, each co-produced with the Expand Group. This series was hugely successful and was sold to the United States, chosen by Fox Family and published by Warner.

1997: New inhouse creations

“Dad'X” recounts the adventures of a new Father Christmas. This series, supplied to TF1, won a 51% market share, one of the channel’s best. “Alix” was a "realistic" series adapted from the famous cartoon strip published all over the world. A huge amount of research and documentation went into the sets and costumes.

1998: Change in the Group’s strategy

The Carrere Studio with around fifty artists continued to operate, but the development of several linked series forced the Company to use external service providers. “Les Dieux de l’Olympe” was a series based on the comic strip about Nadja, star of European children ‘s literature. Several series were co-produced. Among others, “Les Petits Castors”, in 52 episodes, sold all over the world.

1999: Successes

“Argaï”, both a comedy and an adventure series, gained a 74% market share on TFI, the highest ever obtained by an animation series. “Les Renés” were created by the famous artist Di. “Prudence Petitpas”, the investigations of an adventurous grandmother in co-production with Les Films de la Perrine and TF1.

2000: Becomes the French leader in subsidiary rights

On 13 November 2000, Carrere Group acquired a 66.67% stake in V.I.P. and became the French leader in subsidiary rights (Snoopy, Casimir, Zorro, etc.) and one of the leaders in Europe. As a result of the growing number of series to be produced (“La Légende de Parva” for Canal+ ; “Esprit Fantômes” for TF1 ; “Wombat City” for France 2), Carrere decided to outsource all production and to use only service providers, while retaining total control of development, artwork, pre-production, post-production and distribution.

2001: Becomes the French leader in animation

On 13 January 2001, Carrere Group acquired a 51% stake in “Les Armateurs” and became the owner of one of the best animation film catalogues, including “Kirikou et la Sorcière”, “Princes et Princesses”, “L’Enfant qui Voulait Etre un Ours”, “Furax”, “Belphégor”, “T'Choupi”, etc. In September 2001, Carrere Group acquired a 51% stake in the company “FX”. December 2001, acquired 51% stakes in “Grosse Boîte Américaine” and “Cosmic Peanuts”, then 51% in “Upside”, giving Carrere Group top position in Europe in short formats (5 minutes) with a catalogue of 700 formats already sold several times over to television channels.

2002: Major acquisitions, production of drama films grows

After acquiring a 51% stake in Auteurs Associés (“L’été Rouge”), Dune (“Maigret”) and Ego Productions (“Le Juge est une Femme”), Carrere Group positioned itself in the drama film sector.

2003: Diversified audiovisual group

Carrere Group acquired 51% stakes in Productions Tony Comiti and Guillaume Durand Productions, enabling the group to produce programmes such as “Droit de Savoir” (TF1) and “Zone Interdite” (M6) as well as arts programmes such as “Campus” (France 2) and “Trafic.Music” (France 2). Undisputed global success of Triplettes de Belleville, which won a Cesar award and several Oscar nominations.

2004: Record organic growth

In early 2004, Carrere Group acquired a 51% stake in Nelka Films, managed by Nelly Kafsky. This company specialises in production of movies for television such as “Nos vies rêvées” and ”Le Triporteur de Belleville” for France 2.

2005: Acquisitions in the entertainment sector and boost for drama

Acquisition of 51% stake in B3Com, a Benjamin Castaldi company which produces entertainment programmes. B3COM is itself a shareholder in the Flavie Flament company: 2Fprod. Acquisition of PM Holding (“Commissaire Moulin”, “Frank Riva”) and 51% stake in Communication et Programme International (“Du côté de chez vous”, “Question Maison” for France 5) and Riff International Production, producer of among other things “C'est pas Sorcier” on France 2 and “Arrêt sur Images” on France 5. Acquisition of 51% of the capital of Morgane Productions (“ça Balance à Paris”, “Francofolies”) and the Dassa advertising agency.