Talpa strikes JV deal in UK with Warner Bros

Dutch formats house Talpa Media has struck a joint venture deal in the UK with Warner Bros’ international TV production arm, a move that Talpa Distribution boss Maarten Meijs tells TBIvision brings its first wave of international expansion to a close.

Talpa Media, which was set up by Endemol founder John De Mol, has inked a number of joint venture production agreements in the major TV markets in the last year, but had yet to strike a UK deal. The move will see it work with Warner Bros International Television Production, overseen by Andrew Zein, senior VP, creative, format development and sales, on formats including The Golden Cage and I Love My Country.

Meijs, who is managing director of Talpa Distribution, told TBIvision: “This is the next logical step.”

This follows a similar deal in the United States with Warner Bros’ cable production arm Warner Horizon as well as deals with Shine in Australia and France, in Germany with Schwartzkopff TV, with Toro Produzioni in Italy and Nordisk Film and TV in Scandinavia.

Meijs added that the first fruits of these JV deals are taking shape. It has inked a deal in Denmark to produce I Love My Country and expects to have its first format on air in France by the end of the year.

“We need a couple of months to start out so we can collaborate, partner and go into depth with them about our catalog and share our knowledge,” he added.