IMG in talks to acquire Mark Burnett Prods

International producer and distributor IMG is reportedly in talks to acquire reality producer Mark Burnett Productions.

Mark Burnett Productions develops and produces a number of the largest non-scripted formats in the world including Survivor for CBS and The Apprentice and Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

Mark Burnett has been looking to sell the company for some months, appointing investment bank Bear Stearns last year to look at its options.

IMG, which owns a number of leading producers including Tiger Aspect, is looking to expand its non-scripted division. It inked a deal with Glassman Media to co-produce and distribute reality series and hired Chris Albrecht, former head of entertainment at HBO, to lead the charge.

There is reportedly a US$250m acquisitions warchest, which is the price that Burnett is thought to be asking for.