Big Brother producer Endemol in investing €30m (£25m) in a group of local and international digital video channels on platforms including YouTube, Yahoo and AOL. The Dutch producer will look to bypass traditional TV channels with the venture, called Endemol Beyond, which will build on its existing digital operations in the UK, US and across […]
Big Brother producer Endemol in investing €30m (£25m) in a group of local and international digital video channels on platforms including YouTube, Yahoo and AOL.
The Dutch producer will look to bypass traditional TV channels with the venture, called Endemol Beyond, which will build on its existing digital operations in the UK, US and across Europe.
Endemol said the initial investment would create a network of “premium channels … investing in high-end original productions, engaging leading talent and partnering with international brands”. The group already has more than 100 YouTube channels worldwide.
Endemol Beyond will also look to accelerate the expansion of existing digital video hubs in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, as well as entering further markets.
“This scaling up of our online digital video ambition is one of the most exciting journeys Endemol has embarked on and we have the international network, the talent and the imagination to make it happen worldwide,” says Tim Hincks, president of Endemol Group. “Endemol is more than just a great television company; we’re a global content creator across all platforms, and we want to further invest in our own creativity and IP to stay innovative.”
Lucas Church, chair of Endemol’s group commercial board, says: “Endemol Beyond will accelerate the growth of our digital video business around the world, building a global network of connected, genre focused, premium channels with significant scale across key platforms. Not only will this add a further dimension to Endemol as a content creator, it will allow us to directly engage a new worldwide fan base for our entertainment brands and it is essential that we have someone with Georg’s proven track record and expertise to coordinate this worldwide initiative.”
Endemol expect the venture to engage leading talent and help develop international brand partnerships, with channels across the network themed by genres including comedy, entertainment, fashion, film and more.
Endemol works with about 400 broadcasters around the world, with 90 subsidiaries – including Endemol UK – in more than 30 countries.
Along with Big Brother its stable of programmes includes Deal or No Deal, Total Wipeout, BBC dramas Ripper Street and Peaky Blinders, and Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror, as well as AMC’s recent UK drama remake, Low Winter Sun.
