French studio Solent, which primarily produces live-action documentaries but wants to expand into animation, has submitted a new and improved offer to buy the insolvent Cyber Group Studios. 

Solent previously put up one of four initial acquisition bids that were registered in December—along with Hildegarde, Newen Studios and a joint-venture between United Smile, Toonz Media Group and Atlas Global. 

Valued at US$6.3 million, Solent’s new bid encompasses a US$340,000 payout to acquire the business assets and activities of the company (excluding taxes and fees), US$46,000 for paid leave, US$2.2 million in gap financing for production, and US$3.7 million to repay non-liquid debt. 

Solent reiterated its ambition to accelerate an expansion into animation by buying Cyber Group in a 124-page document that was filed to the Paris Commercial Court yesterday. The company acquired Studio RedFrog (Mick the Mini Chef, Samuel) in Q4 2023, and Solent sees potential synergies between this asset and Cyber Group, along with its post-production holding GUMP. RedFrog has since resumed production on three animated series: Mick the Mini Chef season two for France Télévisions (2025), La vie en Slip season two for Canal+ (2026), and Corgi for Germany’s KiKA and France Télévision (2027). 

Interestingly, Solent’s new offer has implications for competitive bidder Newen Studios. If it’s accepted, animation studio Blue Spirit (Blue Eye Samurai)—a Newen subsidiary—would be subcontracted to oversee the creative direction and operational management of Cyber Group’s current series. This arrangement basically mirrors what Newen, which is owned by French broadcaster TF1, proposed in its own offer. It’s also worth noting that Blue Spirit is one of Cyber Group’s creditors and has signed production contracts for flagship series Gigantosaurus (pictured). 

Solent would also bring in PGS Entertainment to manage distribution and digital rights to the Cyber Group catalogue. Solent calls its approach “cautious and realistic”—which is appropriate given that the current market downturn for kids animation has driven at least one other French studio out of business in the last year (TeamTO). 

Solent says that both France Télévisions and M6 Group have expressed interest in continuing to support Cyber Group’s projects under its new ownership. And TF1 has even proposed co-producing a Gigantosaurus feature film.