ITV acquires Finnish indie Tarinatalo

RNS Number : 1463O

ITV PLC

08 October 2012

 



8 October 2012

ITV ACQUIRES FINNISH INDIE TARINATALO

ITV announced today that it had acquired Finnish producer Tarinatalo as the company continues to build a strong international content business, a key part of its Transformation Plan.

Together with the recently acquired Norwegian indie Mediacircus, the acquisition provides ITV Studios, which already has a base in Sweden, with a production footprint in three of the Nordic countries.

Tarinatalo, which was founded in 1997, specialises in factual entertainment, reality and lifestyle programming.  It was also involved in co-producing the 2007 Eurovision song contest, which was held in Helsinki where the company is based.

Tarinatalo will produce 50 hours of programming this year across 11 shows ranging from pilot game show What Was That? and long running, ratings hit Antiques, Antiques on YLE TV1, through to the brand new series of Dragon's Den on Nelonen.

Paul Buccieri, Managing Director of ITV Studios International and President and CEO ITV Studios America, said:

"Tarinatalo is a terrific fit as we progress with growing our business globally.  It is an extremely creative production company and has built fantastic relationships with Finnish broadcasters.  It not only has a wonderful portfolio of hit shows but also has a huge number of great ideas in development as well.

"The company has expanded quickly not only in terms of its size, but also in the programme genres it covers, as well as with its licensing and online activity. We are looking forward to working with the team to help it continue to grow and develop creatively."

The Tarinatalo team will become part of ITV Studios Nordic, whose CEO Hans
Engholm said:

"During its 15 year history, Tarinatalo has grown into one of the most interesting, creative production companies in Finland. And just like Mediacircus, our recent Norwegian acquisition, Tarinatalo has experience in creating and selling formats for the international market which is important for us as we move towards our goal of building a strong creative business."

Aram Aflatuni, CEO of Tarinatalo, said:

"We were very keen to join forces with ITV because of its exciting plan to create a Nordic creative hub with talented producers in both Sweden and Norway.

"We have the capacity and experience to make a huge contribution to this new success story as together we can further develop and sell our formats in the international market.  It is also a wonderful opportunity for us as Finnish TV makers to sit at the same table as talented British, American and Nordic colleagues to come up with strong new ideas."

ENDS

Press contact:

Mike Large     

ITV

+ 44 20 715 73021

+ 44 7768 261528

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Investor Relations:   

Pippa Foulds

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END

 

 

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