Canada’s Proper buys distributor BuzzTaxi

Canadian factual entertainment producer Proper Television has made the move into distribution with the acquisition of BuzzTaxi Communications.

Financial terms of the deal were not revealed but it is for 100% of BuzzTaxi, which will now operate under the name Proper Distribution.

There will be no job losses, with BuzzTaxi founders Jenna Bourdeau and Natalie Vinet joining Proper’s executive team as VPs.

Guy O’Sullivan, president of Proper described the move as “the obvious next step in the evolution” of the company.

BuzzTaxi counts titles such as Survivorman, Canada’s Handyman Challenge and Real Designing Women. Its expanded slate will now include Proper-produced series. Proper is best known for the local version of MasterChef, plus shows including Canada’s Worst Driver and Storage Wars Canada.

“Acquiring a cracking company like BuzzTaxi means we can hit the ground running with our growing number of original series, as well as aggressively seek third-party content,” he said. “Jenna and Natalie have spent more than a decade out in the marketplace and their know-how will be invaluable as we grow the Proper brand.”

“Proper is an undeniable production force, creating top-notch programming here in Canada,” said Bourdeau, while Vinet said Proper’s backing meant Proper Distribution could “expand the services we provide, including earlier involvement in the financing stage for the right project”.