ITV ‘tees up £90m bid’ for Scandi’s Nice

UK broadcaster ITV is reportedly set to continue its spending spree by preparing a £90 million (US$134.5 million) offer for Finland-based producer Nice Entertainment.

UK newspaper the Sunday Times reported ITV is considering placing the offer for Nice, which counts Babes on the Bus and Celebrity Babysitter among its formats. FremantleMedia, Sony and Time Warner were also said to be eyeing the Helsinki-based company, which produces popular ‘Nordic Noirs’, along with reality shows and other formats.

Finnish investment firm Capman, which owns Nice, has hired Stella Advisors to begin an auction process, the report continued.

ITV’s production wing ITV Studios produces numerous series in the UK including Come Dine with Me, and also owns ITV Studios Nordic (fka Silverback). In October last year, it acquired the Finnish prodco behind Finland’s version of Dragons’ Den, Tarinatalo. It owns counts Norwegian firm Mediacircus as part of the ITV Studios Nordic brand.

Elsewhere, ITV has been busy acquiring US prodcos including Hatfields & McCoys producer Thinkfactory Media for US$30 million, plus Gurney Productions and Cake Boss prodco High Noon Entertainment.

ITV’s CEO Adam Crozier has made international growth a key factor in the five-year plan to transform the company into a major global television player.