Autentic buys WDR out of distribution JV

Munich-basesd Autentic is taking full control of the international distribution company it runs with WDR Mediagroup.

The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, is scheduled to close on January 1, 2018, and will see Autentic Distribution become a fully-owned Autentic company.

Autentic, in turn, is part of drama distributor Beta Film.

Following close of the agreement, Autentic will remain WDR’s exclusive distribution partner for documentaries.

For WDR, the sale comes as the pubcaster reviews its investment portfolio.

The company’s Michael Loeb said: “The decision has been made to sell the shares in Autentic Distribution as the common strategic objective of Autentic and WDR Mediagroup has been achieved: the development of internationally successful sales for factual programmes. Therefore, the time has now come for the WDR Mediagroup to withdraw.

“However, nothing changes when it comes to our positive collaboration. The WDR Mediagroup will continue to distribute the high-quality WDR factual productions on an international basis exclusively by means of Autentic Distribution. This successful partnership will continue.”

Autentic CEO Patrick Hoerl added: “Autentic will hold on to its strategy to invest in high-quality content to allow managing director Anne Hufnagel and her team to pursue this growth course.”

Autentic’s new docs for MIPCOM include the 4x60mins 2077 – 10 Seconds to the Future and 4x52mins Secrets of Arabia.