NBCUniversal buys into Canuck prodco

NBCUniversal International Television Production has acquired a stake in Canadian producer Lark Productions.

The move formalises a four-year strategic production partnership NBCUI has had with Lark, which creates the Real Housewives of Vancouver format for Shaw and crime series Motive for CTV.

Under terms of the deal, NBCUI becomes a minority shareholder in Lark and gets a new first-look and distribution agreement. Lark president Louise Clark will remain in control of the prodco, which she founded in 2010.

Following the investment, Lark plans to scale up operations and is currently searching for its first COO. Former CTV and CBC exec Ed Robinson has joined as an independent board director.

Clark said today: “I am genuinely delighted to further strengthen what is already a fantastic creative partnership with NBCUniversal. Michael and the team share our passion for making great television, and we’re already talking about a number of exciting new projects.”

Lark is now formally part of the NBCUI group of prodcos, which also comprises Carnival Films, Monkey Kingdom, Lucky Giant and Chocolate Media in the UK, Matchbox Pictures in Australia and a joint venture with US-based Working Title Television.

“We have tremendous confidence in Louise and her team,” NBCUITVP president Michael Edelstein said. “Our working relationship with Lark has been incredibly fruitful over the past three years, and we are immensely proud of what they have accomplished. I look forward to working with Lark in the years to come, and giving their shows the global reach they deserve.”