Studiocanal acquires majority stake in Tandem

Canal+ Group-owned Studiocanal has acquired a stake in German producer and distributor Tandem Communications.

Studiocanal has acquired a majority stake in the company, which produces international coproductions including The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End.

This is Studiocanal’s first major move into the television business, the company already finances and produces a raft of big-budget feature films.

Tandem Communications owners Rolo Bauer, Tim Halkin and Jonas Bauer will remain shareholders in the company and will continue in their existing roles. The company has found success over the past few years, working with Ridley Scott on a number of projects, and selling mini-series including Pillars, The Lost Future and Impact to broadcasters in the United States.

Olivier Courson, chairman and CEO of Studiocanal said: “With our multi territory distribution network, the development of our international production, amplified by our slate financing deal, Studiocanal is really now a major studio in Europe.  As all studios have done, the next logical move is to diversify into TV mini-series. We searched for the best partner in Europe and found Tandem as the ideal one. Their television strategy is in sync with our objective.  We were meant to work together. I am really glad to develop this new activity with such talented and gifted producers as Rola, Tim and Jonas.”