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Film & TV Consolidation: How Mergers Change What Gets Shot Near You

UUnknown

2026-02-04

11 min read

How mergers like Banijay–All3 and Netflix–WBD talks change where productions shoot and how travelers can spot and plan set visits in 2026.

Want to see a film shoot while you travel? Industry mergers are changing the odds — fast.

Travelers, ex‑pats and local creators tell us the same pain point: information about on-location shoots is scattershot, late, or buried behind press releases. In 2026 the game changed again — with major consolidation moves like the Banijay–All3 talks and the Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery negotiations dominating headlines — and that reshapes what gets filmed where, how accessible sets are to the public, and when you can actually go watch (or join) a shoot.

Quick primer: why consolidation matters for what you can see in person

The shorthand is simple: when production companies merge or streamers consolidate distribution power, decision‑making about where to shoot centralizes. That affects budgets, location priorities, use of studio space vs. real streets, and whether producers stage fan‑friendly set visits or lock down locations for closed shoots.

Put another way: consolidation changes the supply side of film tourism and location shoots in three big ways — scale, standardization and negotiation leverage — and each affects whether you’ll spot cameras on your next trip.

The 2026 consolidation picture (what happened and why it matters)

As 2026 opened, consolidation was the industry’s defining trend. Headlines about talks between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery — and confirmation of deep discussions between Banijay and All3Media parents — signaled a push toward fewer, larger content groups. These are not just finance stories. They change production patterns on the ground.

“If we’re going to be in the theatrical business, and we are, we’re competitive people — we want to win opening weekend.” — Netflix co‑CEO Ted Sarandos, Jan 2026

Sarandos’ comments about theatrical windows underline another reality of consolidation: owners of big slates will optimize release windows and locations to maximize global box office and streaming audiences. That often means bigger tentpoles that travel internationally, but it can also mean efficient reuse of studio assets and fewer smaller‑scale shoots that traditionally depended on local indie producers.

What consolidation usually drives on the ground

Bigger, branded shoots: Owners of proven IP will greenlight large productions that tour multiple countries (think franchise shows and event films). Those drives film tourism to major landmarks but rely on heavy logistics and closed sets.
Increased studio use: Consolidated groups often favor in‑house or contracted studio space for cost predictability, reducing spontaneous street shoots that travelers can stumble upon.
Streamlined permitting: Larger companies negotiate national or multi‑region deals that speed up permits in favored locations — meaning production trucks and rigs arrive fast, and local communities may get less warning.
Fewer mid‑budget independents: With commissioning budgets concentrating at the top, mid‑budget teams that used to shoot in neighbourhoods may get squeezed, lowering the total number of accessible, guerilla‑style shoots.

Why that’s good — and bad — for travelers and film‑tourists

For fans, consolidation brings both opportunity and friction. You may see more global blockbusters filming iconic streets you recognize from trailers, but you’ll see fewer small, local dramas that once gave cities a lived‑in, discoverable filmmaking culture.

Pros:

Major productions bring official set visits, merchandise pop‑ups and guided tours that are packaged for tourists.
Consolidated marketing budgets can create destination events around shoots — premieres, fan days, or behind‑the‑scenes activations.

Cons:

Large shoots often lock down streets and limit public access. Where once you could watch background actors, now you might only see barricades and security.
Smaller local productions — the kind you could bump into over coffee — are at greater risk because acquisition and commissioning decisions happen at centralized HQs.

How to spot an on‑location shoot (practical, real‑time tactics)

Whether consolidated companies are amplifying big set visits or quietly closing off locations, you can still reliably spot shoots — if you know where to look and what signs to read.

Before you go: planning tools and alerts

Local film office calendars: Most cities publish permit logs or filming calendars. Bookmark the municipal film office page for cities you’ll visit (e.g., London Film Office, Film Paris, Film in Rome). These documents list dates, streets and production company names.
Production trackers: Use apps and services like Production Weekly, On Location Vacations, and local equivalents — they aggregate permit posts and social tips from crew and fans.
Social listening: Follow cast and crew accounts, local film offices, and production companies on X, Instagram and Threads. Consolidated companies often coordinate social announcements across brands.
Local media & community pages: City newspapers, subreddits and expat groups frequently share permit maps and hot tips when important shoots arrive.

On the ground: visual cues that mean a production is live

Rows of marked production trucks and catering vans (often with company logos or covered logos).
Temporary signage: “Filming — No Parking” notices attached to lampposts and walls.
Portable generators, lighting rigs and sandbags around street corners.
Groups of people waiting with headsets or holding walkie‑talkies; background artists entering private entrances.
Blanked shopfronts, taped windows or visible continuity marks (small numbered stickers used to mark props/positions).
Security barricades and controlled pedestrian redirection with friendly escorts — ask the marshal for permission to view from a public spot.

Smart timings: when to plan your visit to a shoot

Weekdays, early mornings and late evenings: Big shoots often work long days when streets are quieter.
Outside peak tourist season: Location managers schedule disruptive city shoots during shoulder seasons to minimize interference and cost.
Check leadup & strike windows: Keep an eye on industry labor activity and major festival calendars; consolidations and labor agreements influence when big campaigns shoot.

Set visits and public access: what consolidation changes about being on set

Set visits — organized tours of a production where fans or press see a live shoot or a constructed set — are increasingly commercialized under consolidated groups. Larger companies monetize access, selling branded experiences or package tie‑ins through partner travel agencies and platform marketplaces.

What that means for you:

More official options: Expect vetted, ticketed set visits for tentpole projects. These are safe, advertised, and often bundled with merch and photo opportunities.
Less spontaneous access: Impromptu entry into closed sets is rarer. Security policies tighten when valuable IP is at stake and parent companies standardize risk controls.
Paywalled experiences: Some experiences will be monetized (VIP tours, studio backlot passes). If you want to be on set, you may have to buy a package rather than rely on luck — compare options and channels (direct vs aggregator) like you would for travel bookings (direct vs OTAs).

Case study: what Banijay & All3 conversations mean for European shoots

Banijay and All3Media are two giants of television formats and factual entertainment in Europe. In 2026 talks to combine production assets signaled a move toward consolidated format pipelines: national versions of global shows can be produced faster and rolled out in multiple territories.

For travelers, the immediate effect is practical. Expect:

More regionally produced versions of big formats (e.g., game shows, competitive reality) filmed in local studios — these can offer public audiences but are often ticketed or limited.
Standardized production schedules and the use of central studio hubs that reduce the number of small, street‑based shoots but increase studio‑based audience opportunities.
Brand activations around franchise shoots that may offer pop‑up visitor experiences in host cities.

How creators and local businesses should respond

Consolidation shifts the market — but it also creates openings for local creators, tour operators and service providers who adapt.

Practical moves for creators

Offer location packages: Create professional scouting packets, drone portfolios and LiDAR scans that big groups can license to speed approvals.
Become a verified supplier: Register with regional film commissions and consolidated companies’ supplier portals to access larger production budgets.
Monetize local knowledge: Build live alerts and short‑form content for tourists — quick reels, set‑spotter maps, and paid guides that aggregate filming schedules.

Opportunities for tourism operators

Negotiate official partnerships to host ticketed set visits or fan events when big productions come to town.
Develop hybrid tours that combine famous locations with behind‑the‑scenes storytelling about how consolidation shapes local shoots.

Ethics, safety and what you must never do

Seeing a shoot is exciting, but respect and legal safety are non‑negotiable. Here’s what to remember:

Obey posted closures and security. Crossing barricades endangers you and the production and can lead to fines.
Photograph from public areas only unless you have explicit permission. Productions will often post contact details for press or fan access.
Don’t approach actors or crew while they’re working. Wait for breaks or seek out official fan‑meet opportunities run by the production.
If you plan to record or stream, check the production’s media policy — consolidated firms increasingly enforce IP rules for live streaming and commercial use.

Advanced strategies: how to get the best, most reliable view

Want to move from chance encounters to a repeatable strategy? Try these advanced tactics.

Set alerts for permits + crew social posts: Automate Google Alerts for keywords (city + "filming permit", production company names like Banijay, "on location"). Combine with social‑media watchers for quick notifications.
Network with local drivers and hotels: Concierges, taxi drivers and local couriers often know where production trucks park. A quick ask can save hours of searching.
Use public permit logs as primary source: When consolidation pushes announcements behind paywalls, the public permit is still an official, legal record of where a shoot will occur.
Buy tickets early for official set visits: If a production offers a packaged experience, these sell out. Booking in advance guarantees access and usually includes a safe viewing area.

Future predictions: what the next five years look like for film tourism

Looking at trends into the late 2020s, consolidation will keep reshaping film tourism. Expect:

More branded experiences: Studios will sell curated visits linked to franchises — think immersive set tours and subscription perks for frequent travelers.
Hybrid shoots: Companies will mix studio capture with targeted location days to keep authenticity while controlling risk — visitors will see more short, high‑impact on‑location blocks.
Local partners as gatekeepers: Cities that offer fast, friendly permitting and local‑crew pipelines will attract the most shoots and thus the most tourist attention.
Data‑driven scheduling: Consolidators will use analytics to predict where location shoots deliver the best PR and tourism ROI — meaning productions may favor cities that actively market themselves.

Checklist: How to plan a trip to catch a location shoot (downloadable steps)

Identify your target city and follow its film office calendar.
Set real‑time alerts on social platforms and production trackers for key companies (Banijay, All3, Netflix, WBD).
Confirm viewing policies with the production’s public contact or city film office.
Book tickets for official set visits or studio tours as soon as they’re announced.
Arrive early, bring ID, and respect crew instructions; offer to buy a coffee for a friendly marshal when appropriate.

Final takeaways: what every traveler should know in 2026

Production consolidation changes the map — but it doesn’t close it. The rise of mega‑groups like the entities discussed in early 2026 means more polished, ticketed experiences and fewer accidental street shoots. But it also creates predictable ways to plan: permit logs, official set tours, consolidated announcements and paid experiences. If you want to see a shoot, prepare proactively, use the official channels, and be ready to pay for curated access when the production monetizes fan experiences.

Actionable next steps

Bookmark your target city’s film office and sign up for permit alerts.
Follow major production companies and local film commissions on social media.
Join community pages where fans and local crews share last‑minute tips.
If you’re a creator, register as a verified supplier and package local scouting services for consolidated buyers.

Travelers and creators who adapt to the 2026 landscape can turn consolidation from a roadblock into a roadmap: planned, predictable, and often profitable set visits and film tourism experiences.

Want live alerts for shoots near you?

Sign up with european.live for neighborhood‑level filming alerts, curated set‑visit opportunities and local guides that show you when and where consolidated productions will touch down. We pull permit logs, social signals and on‑the‑ground tips so you don’t miss the moment.

Ready to plan your next film‑tourism trip? Subscribe to our alerts, follow your city's film office, and start your set‑spotting checklist today — and if you’ve spotted a shoot we should know about, submit a tip through our reporting tool.

Unknown

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.