Zodiak ‘to buy’ RDF

Zodiak Entertainment has refused to comment on UK press reports that it is in ‘advanced talks’ to buy UK super indie RDF. It is known that Zodiak CEO Patrick Svensk was in London this week, but he told TBIvision today that he wouldn’t speculate on rumours.

Zodiak Entertainment is owned by acquisitive Italian media company DeAgostini and comprises various production and distribution brands including Marathon, Magnolia, Diverse and Jarowskij. Its sales arms are based in Paris and London

At the Zodiak Entertainment launch in 2008, DeAgostini outlined plans to acquire TV companies in various parts of the world and to double the new company’s revenues to €1 billion within three years. Prior to forming Zodiak Entertainment, DeAgostini had tried to acquire Endemol.

It is already a shareholder in RDF having bought in, in late 2008. RDF is one of the UK’s largest indie producers and distributors. Management and investors, including Endemol founder John de Mol, bought the company for £52 million in November 2008.