Newen acquires stakes in Dutch and Danish prodcos

TF1-owned Newen is acquiring equity stakes in two production companies: Pupkin, from the Netherlands and Nimbus, from Denmark.

The acquisition reflects Newen’s focus on drama in Europe, as the French company broadens it footprint to territories outside of its own.

In May 2017, the company also created a £50 million (US$54.8 million) drama investment fund for the UK.

Newen said its aim with the new investment is to cross-fertilise talent, formats and relationships with local players, while at the same time strengthening Newen’s distribution capability.

These transactions will enable Newen to offer an enhanced range of high-quality European productions to local players and global platforms.

Pupkin is the prodco behind Netflix’s first dutch drama, it is yet to be titled. Through Tuvalu Media Group, a Dutch company owned by Newen, the company will acquire a 60% equity interest in Pupkin.

Nimbus is best known for The Bridge, one of the most widely sold and adapted Danish/Swedish series worldwide. Newen will take a 33% equity stake in Nimbus. The two groups have already begun to explore new developments in drama and animation, set to be distributed by Newen.

Romain Bessi (pictured), deputy chief executive officer of Newen, said: “Both of these two production companies have achieved great success in their own countries and an international profile, and are a byword for quality.

“They will help us expand our footprint in dynamic, creative markets and access new formats and talent, while also adding new content to our distribution network. These two deals, following our acquisition of Tuvalu in the Netherlands, mark a further step in our international expansion: a strategic priority for the Newen group.”