Talpa strikes German JV deal with Schwartzkopff TV

John de Mol-owned formats company Talpa Media has struck a joint venture with German producer Schwartzkopff TV, making its first move into Germany following a number of international JV deals.

The producer, which is part of the German media company Axel Springer, will produce Talpa formats, including Dating in the Dark, I Love My Country and Viper’s Nest as part of the deal.

Talpa recently struck a similar agreement with Warner Bros’ Warner Horizon aimed at getting Talpa shows into the US. It also inked a deal with Shine, which is taking its formats into France as well as with Spanish producer Boomerang and Portuguese producer CBV. At MIPCOM last year Talpa announced plans to launch in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, the UK and US.

Speaking exclusively to TBI, John de Mol said the company will grow rapidly this year.

“There will be substantial growth this year and next – look at what we’ve done without a substantial organisation,” he said. “At Endemol we had a group of 25 people just to look after the international companies. I’m banging my head against the wall because I didn’t think of this JV model earlier. I think we will grow 300-400% this year.”