ITV

Tag: Endemol

  • 21st Century Fox, Apollo combine Shine, Endemol and Core Media to create content powerhouse

    21st Century Fox, Apollo combine Shine, Endemol and Core Media to create content powerhouse

    BENGALURU: Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox and private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC (Apollo) announced an awaited agreement to create a leading global multi-platform content provider. The agreement brings together Apollo’s Endemol and Core Media with 21st Century Fox Shine Group and to form one of the largest content creators in the world. Sophie Turner Laing, former managing director of content at BSkyB, will serve as the group’s CEO.

    Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions. Industry sources say that this is a 50:50 partnership between 21st Century Fox and Apollo.

    In 2011, Apollo bought Core Media, which owns the Idol franchise. Also, in 2011, Murdoch’s News Corp (now 21st Century Fox) paid $ 673 million for Shine Group, a UK producer of Biggest Loser. Elizabeth Murdoch then owned 80 per cent of the Shine Group.

     
    Prior to completion of the transaction, Endemol, Shine and Core will continue to operate as separate companies. Upon completion of the transaction, Core will retain its own capital structure. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year. AGM Partners is serving as financial advisor to 21st Century Fox.

     
    Current Endemol CEO Just Spee and Shine Group CEO Alex Mahon will remain with their respective companies for an extended period following the close of the transaction, working with Turner Laing on the transition and integration of business operations. Following the transition period, both will step down in 2015 to pursue new opportunities. Upon the transaction’s close Elisabeth Murdoch will step down as non-executive chairman of Shine Group.

     

     
    “This partnership advances our strategy of accelerating Fox’s growth in worldwide television production,” said 21st Century Fox president and CEO Chase Carey. “The combination of these assets will create a leading global format business with a deep and diverse portfolio of products, enhanced distribution capabilities, and world-class creative talent. We are extremely grateful to Alex Mahon for her leadership of Shine and are delighted to partner with Apollo in supporting Sophie Turner Laing, and the talent at Shine, Endemol and Core, in our shared mission to form an unrivalled team to lead this truly global content creation business.”

     
    Turner Laing said, “Content has never been more creatively vibrant and exciting and our exceptional production and distribution capabilities will be a magnet for talent to realise their creative ambitions across all platforms on a regional and global scale.”

     
    Apollo senior partner Aaron Stone said, “The group will have impressive capabilities to offer the creative community and to invest in all aspects of media’s future.  At the heart of this partnership are the businesses’ thousands of employees around the world.”

     
    The combined company will have disparate shows like the MasterChef which has more than 50 editions around the world, Big Brother, Hell on Wheels, Idol and So You Think You Can Dance properties.

    Turner Laing has spent the last decade at BSkyB, where she oversaw content strategy and was instrumental in the expansion of its portfolio of entertainment channels, including the Company’s partnership with HBO says 21st Century Fox.
     

     

  • ‘Parivarik’ Bigg Boss 8 ready to take off

    ‘Parivarik’ Bigg Boss 8 ready to take off

    MUMBAI: It is that time of the year when everyone will rush back home to switch on their television sets to watch 12 known faces stuck in the house. 

    Yes, one of the biggest non-fiction properties of the Indian television industry – Bigg Boss – is back on Colors. Come 21 September, in its eighth season, the show will have in store a never-seen-before thrilling adventure which promises to be all about bumps, jolts and spilled drinks.

    Pieced together by Endemol India, the bhai of Bollywood, Salman Khan, will host the show which is themed around aviation with the tagline ‘Bigg Boss aath, sabki lagegi vaat’.

    12 first-class passengers and newsmakers from all walks of life, will block their seats in this one of a kind aircraft, forge their own connections and survive in this airspace. So are contestants selected as per the theme? “No,” comes a quick reply from Colors CEO Raj Nayak. “Contestants are not chosen according to the theme. We choose contestants from different walks of life and then map them. There are certain characteristics we are looking for as we don’t want boring people in the house.” Thorough research is conducted to analyse their way of thinking and behaviour.

    He recalls the moment that two years ago after being the victim of too many controversies, the channel had decided to change the theme and go parivarik with the show. Like always, he believes the challenge is to not show content which can be uncomfortable for families. So, the channel takes the decision of editing the content.

    “At the end of the day one must realise that contestants are recorded 24 hour and it is not that things don’t happen in the house. But we will not show such things on-air. Obviously there are dos and don’ts, but on television we are very careful. And ever since we made it parivarik, we have not got a single complain,” says Nayak.

    Nayak further goes on to say that he has received a feedback saying it is an educational programme on human psychology. “For me, we have looked it as an education programme on human psychology and at the same time it is entertaining and see different sides of human beings. It teaches you a lot of things. So, here there is an opportunity for you to sit down and say that I am doing a crash course on human psychology in 100 days,” laughs Nayak.

    He states that the channel does not have any control on how the contestants behave on the show. According to Nayak it is a challenge because it is not scripted and there is no interference from the channel’s side even if things get ugly. The only communication between the channel and the contestants is through the Bigg Boss and the various tasks. “We create some tasks which may create friction, romance, etc. And if it gets little boring, we cover it by doing dance competition. We cannot control how they behave in what they do,” says Nayak.

    Considered to be the most expensive property on TV, the spend goes into the set, contestants, technological equipment, the celebrity host and marketing. According to sources, the production cost per season is around Rs 180 crore.

    Endemol managing director Deepak Dhar believes that the show has won over viewers across age groups. “The audiences revel in the erratic format of Bigg Boss and with every season we reinvent ourselves to make the show as unpredictable and entertaining as ever.” Also the creators have realised that the Khan as host transcends from a seven year old to a 75 year old.

    After five-long years, the channel has got on-board Snapdeal as its new presenting sponsor instead of Vodafone India. In a deal which is speculated to be worth Rs 35 crore, this is a giant leap for the e-commerce site which had previously sponsored reality shows on MTV including MTV Roadies.

    Talking about the partnership, Nayak says that several e-commerce firms wanted to get on board but they snapped the deal. He also added that the Bigg Boss 8 team approached the company for the sponsorship. The deal is currently for only one year and the CEO hopes to continue the association in the future.

    Excited with this new collaboration Snapdeal CEO Kunal Bahl says, “The money is well spent. Hopefully this is the beginning to a long relationship. This is the right show for our young brand to reach the right audience. Sure that we will get a good return for our investment.”

    With the huge competition in the e-commerce space and the stringent government policies, India-based online retailers like Snapdeal have been looking for various new ways for raising funds. This partnership is going to make perfect brand recognition for Snapdeal.

    The channel has also roped in Oppo Mobiles as the powered by sponsor. Moreover, Colors has created a new category called ‘Driven by’ and has roped Maruti Suzuki. Other associate sponsors are Garnier Men, TVS Motors, Cardekho.com, Bisleri Urzza and JK Tyres.

    The channel is not looking at getting more sponsors on-board. “There are lots of people who may not be able to afford the tickets as of Rs 10-12 crore. Plus we have a lot of advertisers who are our regular patrons, so we want to give them an opportunity to also be a part of Bigg Boss,” Nayak reveals that sponsors consume normally 65 per cent of the inventory. As for the ad rates this time, the channel has increased its overall pricing by almost 30 per cent as compared to the previous seasons.

    According to sources, each associate sponsor pays Rs 12-15 crore. Spot rates range from Rs 4.5-5 lakh per 10 seconds in episodes that feature Salman Khan, while other episodes command Rs 3.4-4 lakh per 10 seconds. For the channel to breakeven, ad revenues are pegged around Rs 350 crore.

    On the marketing front, hundred per cent consumer entertainment being the mantra of Airlines #BB8, the marketing strategies will revolve around increasing the market penetration and connecting with new consumers.

    The route will be encompassing all the mediums across 200 cities and towns to encourage repeat flying for the viewers. For a higher resonance radio stations across 30 cities will be tapped. For build-up, promotional content will be plugged in across 30 channels and, for a glaring visibility and tune in, an attractive outdoor campaign will don the high walls at strategic locations in key cities.

    On order for the consumers to get better passenger information an interesting digital plan has been floated. Viewers can source the entire daily dose via Facebook and Twitter. While FB will have a fun Bigg Boss themed app to test the survival strategies of the player, Twitter will leak live information 24*7. The website www.colors.in will have uncensored videos and a Khabri who will blog live updates. Moreover, a mobile app will beam the live feed to keep the viewers tuned in on the go.

    This time Snapdeal is very keen keeping in mind the virtual space. “You will find a lot of engagement activities on the digital space where you will be able to get Snapdeal vouchers, gifts and much more exciting stuff,” adds Nayak.

    Unlike last year, where Bigg Boss videos where also available on YouTube, this year the channel has banned it.

    About the expectations from this season, Nayak believes that he is very superstitious with numbers. “Every time you launch a show you hope that it will be better than the previous season. Previous season had a very good opening, so we think this season should do it even better. The promos we have launched this time and the amount of buzz we have got is the highest we have ever seen either on social media or general feedback.”

    On Twitter, Nayak confidently says that there is no other show in this country that trends as much as Bigg Boss does the moment the show is launched. “I don’t have to spend much money also on marketing because the buzz gets created on its own,” concludes Nayak.

  • ‘Bigg Boss’ gets Snapdeal as its new presenting partner

    ‘Bigg Boss’ gets Snapdeal as its new presenting partner

    MUMBAI: Controversies and criticism is nothing new to the show, on the contrary it survives on it.

     

    Bigg Boss, which will soon air its eighth season, has been a hit since its inception and managed to pull enough viewers every time, thanks to the fights and love affairs between contestants.

     

    The reality show, a premium property from the Colors bouquet, is coming back with a new appeal. The two teasers of the programme have already hit the television screens with the first one aired on Independence Day.

     

    Clearing all the speculations and rumours of Salman Khan opting out of the show, the popularly known bhai has returned as the host for the fifth time. Produced by Endemol, the first 30 second teaser of the series has Khan putting on the uniform of a pilot walking and giving viewers a salute. Soon an aircraft is shown on the screen that flies across the blue sky.

     

    The second teaser, which hit the screen on 21 August, showcases Khan in an office wearing a pilot’s uniform once again but this time he is busy making paper planes. He flies one of his paper planes which, thanks to the computer graphics, goes on to become an original plane as it flies off into the sky.

     

    The highlight of these teasers is that this time around the eye logo of Bigg Boss is different.  It has a futuristic look unlike the previous versions, which were more like a human eye, to match with the theme of the house. The pupil is a turbofan of an aircraft while the borders of the eye have a shiny metallic skin.

     

    Apart from this, another different thing about the show is the presenting sponsor. After five-long years, the channel has got on-board Snapdeal as its new presenting sponsor instead of Vodafone India. It has also roped in Oppo Electronics as the powered by sponsor. According to a media planner, the title sponsorship is pretty high and would be around Rs 20 crore. . “If you look at the e-commerce space, there is a war going on television and a lot of funding is coming in. E-commerce brands are also willing to pay a premium which the normal brands might not be willing to pay.”

     

    Media planners believe that the show is an established property and enjoys a huge fan following and the market knows it will get the ratings. “I don’t think one can say that it will be either a hit or a fail. The benchmarks are pretty much set and people who actually like the show keep watching it. Colors comes up with a new theme every season just to keep the interest levels in the show alive,” says Maxus managing partner north and east region Navin Khemka.

     

     

  • Bindass talks about relationships with ‘Pyaar Ka The End’

    Bindass talks about relationships with ‘Pyaar Ka The End’

    MUMBAI: The young minds of today are constantly grappling with issues in love and romance. Love and relationships are topics that the youth closely associates itself with. If the relationships seem to be at a struggling phase, often pressured by their own insecurities, the couple ends up at a crossroad, forcing them to face tough realities and instigating them to take extreme action.

     

    Resonating with its target audiences, TV channel Bindass, that mirrors the lives and aspirations of young India is all set to present yet another concept in the relationship space with Pyaar Ka The End. Produced by Endemol, it will give fresh but relevant facets in love, giving a whole new perspective to romance and passion.

     

    The show features situations that exist in relationships today while offering a direction to manage complicated situations better, staying true to the channel’s philosophy of being an ‘enabler of purposive action’.

     

    It drives home the message that a choice taken at an extremely weak moment can have severe repercussions; impacting the entire nature of the relationship.

     

    Talking about the concept of the show, Disney India VP, content, media networks Vijay Subramaniam asserts: “We as a brand are very proud to be constantly in touch with our consumers. Understanding what makes good relationships, how to keep it stable and happy is what youngsters want to know.”

     

    Subramaniam believes that while the channel is entertaining them on one hand, it also gives its consumers, through the shows, an opportunity to learn about relationships that reflects everyday reality.

     

    The channel has witnessed success with shows like Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Emotional Atyachaar and Love by Chance which have addressed very distinctive traits in a relationship.

     

    Before setting up any show, the channel undertakes several surveys and researches which show that today young adults are constantly seeking opportunities to understand how to get better in life, whether it’s job, education or in social relationships. Based on those learnings, the channel narrates its story.

     

    For the first season, the channel plans to launch 26 episodes with the return of the second season depending on the performance of the first. Out of the 26, five episodes have already been canned. “We do believe that no matter how successful our storytelling is, being finite also helps. It enables us to provide a good quality of content to our consumers,” adds Subramaniam.

     

    He believes that the most important aspect is consumer engagement and the success of the shows that the channel has launched so far is evident not only in terms of ratings, but the format of storytelling too.

     

    On the marketing front, the channel has split the campaign into two parts. One is very specific reach and sampling based activation in the Hindi speaking markets. Other is leveraging the popularity of its digital sphere with heavy concentration here.

     

    Subramaniam refused to divulge any financial details of the show, but sources from the industry reveal that compared to dailies which cost anywhere between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per episode, finite shows cost around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per episode.

  • Star Plus goes for finite fiction on Sundays

    Star Plus goes for finite fiction on Sundays

    MUMBAI: With an overkill of reality shows during weekends on most television channels, Star Plus is taking the road less travelled. The popular GEC will air its existing fiction shows from Monday to Saturday and if sources are to be believed, starting end June or beginning July, it will launch three finite fiction shows to be telecast exclusively on Sundays every week.

    The trio is expected to fill up vacant slots left after Mad in India was pulled off air after it failed to live up to audience and channel’s expectations.

    “Star Plus is known to create content which is different from other offerings. At a time when other channels are focusing on non-fiction properties, we at Star have decided to take a completely different route with finite fiction shows,” a source told this website.

    It is learnt that of the three new shows, the first, produced by Miditech India, revolves round the aviation industry and is tentatively titled Airlines.

    Host of The Great Indian Love Challenge on NDTV Good Times, VJ Yudhishtir aka Yudi, will play the male lead while Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai fame Tulip Joshi, who made her Bollywood debut as Sanjana will be cast as the female lead. Shooting is already said to have started in the capital.

    A la Anil Kapoor’s Hindi version of American series 24 on Colors, Star Plus’ second show will be the desi adaptation of Shonda Rhimes’ hit series Grey’s Anatomy starring Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh and Patrick Dempsey. Tentatively titled Hospital, the series will be produced by Endemol.

    The third is Ashutosh Gowariker’s much-hyped show Everest which tells the story of a young girl who wants to prove her mettle to her father by living his dream of scaling the Mount Everest. The shoot took place not so long ago at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM). Everest stars Rohan Gandotra who is seen in the new Dermicool ad and Shamata Anchan who appears in the Garnier commercial. The 25 to 30 episode show will have a finite beginning and a finite end, according to the same source.

    In addition to these three shows, rapper-actor Yo Yo Honey Singh of Blue hai paani paani fame will make his small screen debut with a music reality show called India’s Raw Star which aims at tapping raw talent from all corners of India.

    Singh will be seen as judge cum mentor on the show. The promos are already out on the digital platform and feature Singh egging on young singers to think out of the box to get an entry into the show.

    At the time of penning this article, the video uploaded on YouTube had already got more than 55,000 views. The auditions too will be only through digital where contestants will have to shoot their music videos and upload the same on the show’s official website. India’s Raw Star is likely to go on air by end July and will mostly be telecast on Saturday and Sunday.

    Participants can log on to www.starplus.in/indiasrawstar via web or mobile. Alternatively, one can           download the India’s Raw Star mobile app and submit his/her audition video along with the requested details.

    A media planner expressed the view that having finite shows over the weekend is advantageous. “I think this different approach will do well for the channel. Understanding the nature of the audience and their requirement, I think it’s the right step taken by the channel, where others are ruling in the dancing and comedy space. But only worry is the content. It should have a strong reason for making people switch to another channel when they are used to watching dancing and comedy,” he said.

    Click here to watch the promo
  • Asianet Suvarna clinches ‘Bigg Boss Kannada 2’

    Asianet Suvarna clinches ‘Bigg Boss Kannada 2’

    MUMBAI: After showing two successful seasons of the Kannada version of Kaun Banega Crorepati titled Kannada Kotyadipathi, Asianet Suvarna is all set to treat its viewers to another big ticket reality show. Season two of Bigg Boss Kannada is shifting hands from ETV Kannada to Asianet Suvarna.

     

    Sources from the channel have confirmed the news to indiantelevision.com and said that the deal with Endemol, the production house, has also been finalised. Actor Sudeep will host the second season as well. Currently, hunt for the contestants is on and the show is slated to go on air in a couple of weeks.

     

    The first season of the show was aired on ETV Kannada between 24 March 2013 and 30 June 2013 with 15 inmates and Vijay Raghavendra finally winning the show with Rs 50 lakh as prize money. Bigg Boss Bangla was aired on ETV Bangla last year between 17 June and 14 September.

  • Creating the world’s largest content production behemoth

    Creating the world’s largest content production behemoth

    MUMBAI: When it’s the Murdochs you have to think big. Big with a capital B.  No less. Consider the 21st Century Fox’s latest announcement that it has entered into a preliminary agreement, with funds managed by affiliates of private equity (PE) firm Apollo Global Management to form a joint venture that seeks to bring the Shine Group, Core Media Group, and Endemol under one umbrella.

     

    The new initiative has conditions attached.  It will have to be jointly owned and managed by the two groups. 21st Century gave no assurances that the proposed transaction would be completed. 

     

    But if it does go through, it will create the world’s largest independent production engine (estimates are that its valuation will be in the region of $2 billion). The proposed Apollo 21st Century joint venture will boast a roster of shows such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, The Money Drop and Your Face Sounds Familiar, Total Wipeout, The Million Pound Drop Live, Peaky Blinders and Ripper Street (under Endemol); MasterChef, The Face, The Biggest Loser, The Bridge and Broadchurch (through Shine) and So You think You can Dance and American Idol (through Core Media).

     

    Both 21st Century and Apollo have their own compulsions to make the deal happen, though how it will happen is not clear. Shine, Endemol and Core Media own a complex web of production companies worldwide headed by various senior executives.

     

    Apollo, for its part, has been eager to consolidate its TV production holdings through Endemol and Core Media and even find a partner to further its global ambitions. It has $125 billion in assets in several sectors in its portfolio.

     

    Apollo wanted a piece of the content production pie and forayed into TV production when it acquired CKX Media (along with it came Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment which co-owns the Idol format franchise) in 2011, renaming it later as Core Media.  

     

    The PE firm then went on to expand its TV production presence by acquiring a stake in Endemol after buying out owners Goldman Sachs and Sylvio Berlusconi’s Mediaset in 2012.  Endemol has a presence in 30 countries through 90 companies, makes more than 15,000 hours of programming every year for 300 broadcasters and has a handsome catalogue of 2000 formats.

     

    Apollo currently co-owns Endemol with Cyrte Investments (a fund closely associated with Endemol founder John de Mol and now renamed as Daysim Investment Strategies).  It tried to merge Core and Endemol but backed off when de Mol opposed the move in 2012. De Mol, for his part, attempted to unite Endemol with his current media vehicle Talpa Media earlier this year, but jettisoned the deal when the sticker price went up.

     

    Earlier, in 2012, Apollo explored the possibility of fusing Endemol and Core Media with investment from former News Corp CEO Peter Chernin’s Chernin Entertainment. But the discussions were aborted.

     

    Murdoch has his own imperatives to make the deal happen. It gives 21st Century the opportunity to exit from the Shine group, which was acquired by News Corp in 2011 for $675 million. He had come under severe criticism of nepotism as Shine was founded and run by his daughter Elisabeth, who now functions as its chairman. Today, Shine is owned by 21st Century after Murdoch restructured News Corp into two units – News Corp and 21st Century – following the phone hacking and police bribery scandals in the UK.  And it has 26 production companies across 11 countries including Shine TV, Shine America, Judos Film & TV and Princess Production in its portfolio.

     

    The deal is an indication of how Murdoch sees his media empire structured going forward. His movie production and television broadcasting businesses figure under a single vehicle 21st Century.  His newspaper and publishing interests under News Corp. His satellite, platforms and pay TV business under British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB – has recently announced that it has made an offer to acquire 21st Century’s investment in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia, leading pay TV platforms in Europe).

     

    BSkyB, Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland are owned by 21st Century with differing equity stakes. And his content production business is now slated to be under the joint Apollo and Shine venture.

     

    The proposal is timely. The content production landscape is undergoing a wave of consolidation: recently, Discovery Communications and Liberty Global agreed to buy UK production company All3Media for $930 million and Britain’s ITV snapped up 80 per cent of Leftfield Productions for $360 million.

     

    Agglomeration in content production in Europe and the US is following in the wake of consolidation in the pay TV business, where companies such as Comcast are showing an urge to merge in order to strengthen their negotiation power with content providers.

     

    The Apollo-21st Century joint venture, if it goes through according to reports, will also focus on expanding the combined entity’s focus beyond unscripted formats to scripted shows and on digital productions for online and over the top service providers. And, if it does get realised, it could spark off another wave of acquistions by other content producers as they try and join the getting-scale race too.

  • Endemol acquires International Drama producer Artists Studio

    Endemol acquires International Drama producer Artists Studio

    MUMBAI: Endemol, a world leader in multiplatform entertainment, today announced it has acquired international drama production company Artists Studio.

     

    Artists Studio produces critically acclaimed hits such as The Fall, starring Gillian Anderson (‘The X-Files’, ‘The Last King of Scotland’) and Jamie Dornan (‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, ‘Once Upon a Time’). Created and written by Alan Cubitt, this remains BBC Two’s most successful drama to date, averaging more than 4 million viewers per episode across its first season in 2013.  

     

    Previous Artists Studio credits include Combat Hospital for ABC and Thorne for Sky UK. 

     

    Endemol will globally distribute Artists Studio productions including the second season of The Fall, which has been commissioned for production in 2014 (6 x 1 hours for BBC Two); as well as numerous projects commissioned and in development for UK and US broadcasters. Further announcements will be made in due course. 

     

    Emmy award-winning producer, Gub Neal (‘Prime Suspect’; ‘Cracker’; ‘Queer as Folk’) co-founded Artists Studio in February 2009, alongside Justin Thomson-Glover and Patrick Irwin, all three of whom formerly ran drama producer Box TV. 

     

    Based in South Wales and with offices in London, Artists Studio also incorporates sister company  Far Moor Media, which provides executive production services including pre-sales, deal structuring, rights management and casting, for an extensive portfolio of international drama producers. Far Moor’s most recent project is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBC1, BBC America, Space), currently filming for delivery in late 2014. 

     

    Artists Studio becomes part of Endemol UK, which has drama credits including Peaky Blinders (Tiger Aspect and Caryn Mandabach for BBC Two), Ripper Street (Tiger Aspect for BBC One and Amazon Studios), Black Mirror (Zeppotron for Channel 4), Prisoners’ Wives (Tiger Aspect for BBC One) and The Mill (DSP for Channel 4). 

     

    Lucas Church, CEO of Endemol UK comments: “Artists Studio is led by outstanding talent and has a slate that includes one of the BBC’s biggest ever dramas and a world-class line up of new series for the international market.  This acquisition underpins Endemol UK’s position as a company with some of the most successful drama in the business.” 

     

    Cathy Payne CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution adds: “Artists Studio is one of the most exciting producers of quality drama in the marketplace today. Their productions combine exceptional writing and performances with gripping storytelling that can captivate audiences all over the world. Having them in the Endemol family will be a further boost to the Group’s global scripted output and to our worldwide distribution business. “ 

     

    Gub Neal, Creative Director of Artists Studio comments: “Artists Studio’s international activity has grown rapidly over the last 12 months, creating huge opportunities, which is why it now makes total sense to join forces with a truly global player.  Endemol have the status, scale and reach to help us grow the business outside the UK, but equally the creative hubris and sensitivity to allow us to continue our work with UK talent in the bespoke manner that defines our brand.” 

     

    Joint Managing Director of Far Moor Media, Justin Thomson-Glover adds: “We are delighted that Endemol understand the unique potential of Far Moor’s services.  As consultant executive producers we will continue to offer production companies and talent, significant added value in the sphere of bespoke co-production deals and pre-sales for event television in the international market.” 

     

    Endemol’s scripted programming business has grown internationally by 75% in the last five years and today represents a quarter of the company’s worldwide business. 

     

    Other Endemol drama productions around the world include Hell on Wheels, which is now in its fourth season on AMC in the USA; as well as major forthcoming series such as Gallipoli (Endemol Australia for Nine Network and TV3 New Zealand) and Fortitude (Tiger Aspect/Fifty Fathoms for Sky Atlantic), starring Michael Gambon, Stanley Tucci, Christopher Eccleston and Sofie Grabol. 

     

    Endemol also globally distributes a growing portfolio of more than 10,000 hours of scripted programming.  This includes major series such as The Crimson Field (BBC Drama for BBC One), Death Comes to Pemberley (Origin Pictures for BBC One, produced in association with Far Moor), The Thirteenth Tale (HeyDay Films for BBC One), Hot in Cleveland (TV Land USA), and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Cuba Pictures /Feel Films / Far Moor for BBC One).

  • Endemol launches MIPTV 2014 line up with all-new formats from around the world

    Endemol launches MIPTV 2014 line up with all-new formats from around the world

    MUMBAI: Endemol, the world’s largest independent production company, today unveiled its line-up of brand new formats making their international debut at MIPTV 2014.

     

    Among the headline formats for this year’s slate is Fundastic, a live multiplatform series created by Endemol Israel and developed with leading broadcaster Reshet. This innovative format integrates real-time active viewing through a dedicated crowd funding app. 

     

    Fundastic is a nail biting show where budding entrepreneurs not only face a panel of tough judges but must win over viewers who decide, via the bespoke app, how much financial backing from the prize fund each contender deserves. The final winning entrepreneur receives funding as well as expert mentoring and guidance to help make their business vision a reality. 

     

    Ejector Seat is a funny, fast paced general knowledge game show from Endemol UK for ITV. When loosing contestants exit the show they are literally tipped backwards from their seats in a spectacular fashion. The game is simple: if contestants answer questions correctly they stay sitting happily in their seat. But give the wrong response and their seat travels backwards along the track. The contestant is now under pressure – and, as they move further towards the back, even the simplest questions suddenly feels incredibly tough. 

     

    Host in the Box is an original factual entertainment series from Endemol Germany for Prosieben. The presenter is locked in a wooden box and shipped off to an undisclosed location equipped with nothing but burning curiosity and the box they arrive in. From rough riding Hell’s Angels to the sober Amish and wild porn actors, the host must adapt to a completely different lifestyles than what they are used to. 

     

    Endemol Spain has created Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids & Co an entertaining new twist on the global celebrity talent show which has successfully launched in Portugal. This format brings together an all-star cast from previous Your Face Sounds Familiar series to mentor talented kids. Eight youngsters are teamed up with eight of the best celebrities to perform in duos, impersonating iconic musical performers of all times. As always, the Your Face Sounds Familiar buzzer will determine which modern or iconic musical performance each contestant will become the following week, guaranteeing hilarious and dramatic results. 

     

    Iris Boelhouwer, Endemol’s MD of Creative Operations says; “This year we have an extremely strong line-up of entirely new formats all set to make their international debut in Cannes. These groundbreaking shows originate from some of the world’s most creative markets and are a great mix of entertainment, games shows and multiplatform innovation.” 

     

    At MIPTV 2014 Endemol will exhibit in the Riviera Hall (R8.E15)

  • Endemol inks deal with Turner International for New Mr.Bean animated series

    Endemol inks deal with Turner International for New Mr.Bean animated series

    MUMBAI: Endemol, the world’s largest independent production and distribution company, today announced that Turner Broadcasting System International has acquired the all-new second series of MR BEAN ANIMATED SERIES for their services throughout Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and several European markets including the United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain and Italy.

     

    This deal comes off the back of the announcement that the series has been pre-sold to CITV in the UK and Super RTL in Germany.

     

    Mark Eyers, Chief Content Officer, Kids Networks, Turner International Asia Pacific, said: “This extraordinary universal comedy truly delivers on a premium and compelling content experience for both our audiences and affiliates. We’re proud to welcome Mr Bean into the Turner fold and to partner with Endemol, Tiger Aspect and the exceptionally talented Rowan Atkinson. This unique non-dialogue brand of funny, will delight viewers around the world.”

     

    Cathy Payne, CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution commented: “We are excited that Turner has come on board to join our other partners CITV and Super RTL Germany. To have such support at this early stage is incredible and proves the popularity of the wonderful Mr Bean”.

     

    Cecilia Persson, Turner’s Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-productions for EMEA and International, added: “It’s great to announce this deal across our international business. Our kids channels provide the best in animated comedy entertainment for young audiences and Mr Bean is truly an iconic comedy character which kids across the globe will love! Mr Bean has performed excellently across our EMEA region where our second flagship channel Boomerang brings contemporary iterations of timeless and classic properties to a family audience.”

     

    The 52 x 11 minute series follows on the success of the first series which has been licensed in over 70 territories and continues to be a ratings winner for a host of international broadcasters.

     

     

     

    Mr Bean will be produced in house by Tiger Aspect Productions using Celaction2D. Production commenced in October 2013 and delivery is scheduled for 2014/2015.

     

    Rowan Atkinson is across all aspects of the creative and will continue to voice the series which has a huge global audience.