Raft of Fremantle indie deals on the cards

FremantleMedia is eyeing the acquisition of up to 15 production companies following the launch of its Euro40m (US$58m) talent fund in November 2007.

The fund, which is run by Stephen Flint,  senior VP, content partnerships, worldwide entertainment, initially inked deals with Trevor Eve’s Projector Productions;  Hillbilly Productions, which is run by The Full Monty co-producer Polly Leys;  and Father Ted creator Graham Linehan’s new production company.

 Fremantle now hopes to take minority stakes in a number of production companies in the UK and North America. It will then distribute programming from these firms.

Dan Allen, FremantleMedia’s COO , told TBIvision that as a result of consolidation  among  producers, it was essential to acquire equity stakes in important new ventures,  in addition to traditional first-look deals.

“There have been three deals done in the UK with 12 to 15 more in serious talks,” he added.