Talpa, ITV strengthen ties with new pact

Just months after buying Talpa Media, ITV Studios has secured production partner rights to John de Mol’s formats catalogue in Australia and the Nordic region.

The exclusive agreement also includes Talpa exclusively producing ITVS formats in the Netherlands and the Middle East.

The Voice in Australia, Finland and Norway, and The Voice Kids in Denmark are covered by separate agreements and do not form part of the new deal.

Talpa’s director of global productions Diane Buddingh and head of global networks Annalies Noes are overseeing the firm’s day-to-day co-operation with its global network, while ITVS Studios Nordic has managing director Hans Negholm in charge.

ITVS Australia recently appointed Australian programming veteran David Mott to becomes its new CEO, with he and Engholm working closely with ITVS’s executive VP, global development Mike Beale on the partnership.

This comes after ITVS parent ITV acquired Netherlands-based Talpa for an initial £355 million (US$538 million) earlier this year.

“A strong and vast international production network is the spine of our content strategy,” said Maarten Meijs, managing director of Talpa’s international division, Talpa Global. “Utilising ITV Studios international presence in Australia and the Nordics and gaining access to their large portfolio of hit formats in the Netherlands and the Middle East enables us to expand our network even further.”

“This is a great opportunity for Talpa and ITV Studios to make the most of each of our strengths in the international market place,” said Maria Kyriacou, ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Rest of World managing director. “Talpa’s world-leading slate of formats is a fantastic boost to our teams in Australia and The Nordics and we look forward to working with them to introduce more viewers to ITV Studios’ shows in the Netherlands and Middle East.”

Talpa is at MIPCOM this week launching Dance Dance Dance, a Dutch format that was recently greenlit in Germany, while ITVS is relaunching dating format Love Island.