ITV buys Norwegian indie Mediacircus

British commercial broadcaster ITV has acquired Norwegian production company Mediacircus. The broadcaster has acquired the Norwegian firm as part of its plans to grow its international content business.

Mediacircus was founded by Eldar Nakken and Jon Sverre Hoiden in 2006 and produces local versions of international formats including Come Dine With Me. The company will become part of ITV Studios Nordic, which has produced over 40 series across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

Eldar Nakken, CEO of Mediacircus, said: “I am very proud and pleased to now be part of the great ITV family at a time when ITV Studios is investing in, and focusing on, creativity and expansion.”

Separately, ITV Studios has struck a joint venture deal with Israeli broadcaster Reshet that will see the two companies source, develop and produce formats in Israel for Reshet and international broadcasters.

“We are now beginning to build on our strengths with selective investments and partnerships at home and abroad,” said Kevin Lygo, managing director, ITV Studios. “These announcements mark an important chapter in our growth story as we progress our plan to develop our creative pipeline and strengthen our production capability.”

The news came as ITV reported its half-year results. Content division ITV Studios reported revenues of £355 million compared with £264 million a year earlier. ITV said that its programming arm had 61 new programmes commissioned in the first half of the year and a further 61 recommissioned.

ITV Studios also said this morning that it had presold its new drama series Mr Selfridge (WT) to four broadcasters: PBS (US); Seven Network (Australia); SVT (Sweden); and DBS (Israel).