We have today entered into a sale agreement for the purchase of 12 NENT Studios production labels in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark that operate across non-scripted, scripted and factual businesses.
The purchase will see the 12 distinct labels, across the three content pillars of entertainment, scripted and documentaries, plus branded content and event management, join the Fremantle family. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close later this year.
The companies that are part of the sale agreement are: Strong Productions (Denmark); Grillifilms, Moskito Television and Production House (Finland); Monster, Novemberfilm, One Big Happy Family, Playroom, Rakett and Strix TV (Norway); Baluba and Strix Television (Sweden).
We already produce in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland as Fremantle and through Miso Films, producers of The Investigation, The Rain and Those Who Kill, and through Blu who deliver a varied cross genre slate including X Factor and Farmer Seeking Love.
Jennifer Mullin, CEO, Fremantle said: “This is an exciting opportunity both to grow our presence in the Nordics and embrace a wealth of exceptional new talent into the Fremantle family. Nordic IP is hugely successful internationally, and with our ability to amplify distribution on a global level, I am confident we will be able to take the great content produced by these labels to an even wider audience.”
Gabriel Catrina, NENT Group EVP & Chief Financial Officer: “We are confident that Fremantle’s global reach will create many opportunities for these fine businesses. This agreement concludes the divestments of all the Studios assets that we had planned for. Our remaining Studios assets will now focus primarily on delivering scripted content exclusively for Viaplay.”
Content created by some of the labels includes critically acclaimed, award-winning titles and formats that travel the world such as The Farm which has aired in 50 territories, and still sets records in Scandinavia with consistently high ratings.
This acquisition forms part of our wider strategy to invest in production companies and talent around the world to source the best creative ideas, develop and create strong and unmissable IP, partner with global and local broadcasters and platforms, and ultimately be the place that creatives call home.
