Endemol, Talpa team on ventures

Production outfits to be set up worldwide

By DOMINIC SCHREIBER

de Mol

Global formats giant Endemol is strengthening its ties with John de Mol's Talpa Content, with plans to set up a number of production ventures around the world, including the U.S., U.K., France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Endemol, which is owned by a consortium of investors including co-founder de Mol, will team with Talpa to launch jointly owned companies to oversee the production and commercial exploitation of Talpa formats; joint ventures in other countries are also a possibility.

Talpa set up a development office in Los Angeles in February 2007. Last year it struck its first deal in the U.S., when ABC optioned its Dutch format "The Golden Cage."

Deal builds on last October's worldwide distribution pact, under which Endemol handles the international sales for Talpa's programs and formats.

Talpa's library includes drama series "Viper's Nest," gamer "Divided" and entertainment shows "M/F" and "I Love My Country."

Meanwhile, Gallic commercial broadcast leader TF1 and Endemol France have announced a global two-year partnership effective Sept. 1. Accord gives TF1 channels access to Endemol's catalog of rights and formats.

Endemol France has had success on several French networks in recent years, particularly with gamers and reality skeins "Star Academy" and "Loft Story."

The new agreement gives TF1 access to Endemol's relatively recently developed catalog of scripted dramatic and daytime programming.

TF1 will also acquire exclusive new-media rights for select programs, allowing the broadcaster to transmit shows via the Internet, mobile devices and through IPTV, for which France is currently the biggest and fastest-growing market in Europe.

(David Hayhurst in Paris contributed to this report.)