FremantleMedia takes stake in Danish drama firm

Global producer-distributor FremantleMedia has acquired 51% of Danish drama producer Miso Film.

The deal, for an undisclosed amount, gives RTL-owned FremantleMedia the option to buy the rest of the shares at a later date.

Drama production duo Jonas Allen and Peter Bose founded Miso in 2004 and have focused on high end TV drama and feature films such as Norwegian box office hit and World War II drama Max Magnus.

The firm is behind scripted series such as Those Who Kill, which is being remade in the US by A&E, and TV2’s Dicte. It is currently producing epic war drama 1864 (pictured), which is being billed as the largest ever production in Denmark and is being coproduced with pubcaster DR, TV2 Norge and TV4 in Sweden.

Allen and Bose, said: “Partnering with FremantleMedia is an important step forward in Miso Film’s growth strategy. We strongly believe that FremantleMedia will be a key driver in Miso Film’s further expansion in the Scandinavian market and release the full potential of the company’s productions internationally.”

For FremantleMedia, the move comes after deals to buy into German online channels operator Divimove last month. FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz had intimated at MIPCOM that more digital acquisitions were a priority but a move for Miso has proved most enticing.

“This is an important milestone in building our prime time scripted business and strengthening our position in the Scandinavian market,” said Frot-Coutaz today. “Jonas and Peter’s talent and strong track record in producing high end drama, together with their current slate, makes Miso Film a perfect fit for FremantleMedia and complements our existing high end scripted business in the US, Germany and Australia.”