22 June 2023
BBC Studios today announced it has acquired BBC Studios Nordic, an award-winning pan-Scandinavian production company. The acquisition will build on the company’s existing production capabilities and expand its footprint and presence in the region. The acquisition of BBC Studios Nordic is in response to the growing appetite and opportunity for BBC content in the market.
Based in Copenhagen with offices in both Norway and Sweden, BBC Studios Nordic’s team of experienced producers are responsible for developing successful factual entertainment formats such as Big Love and Get Lost Honey. BBC Studios Nordic also act as local producer for critically acclaimed Long Lost Family, Wheel of Fortune and Bargain King, in addition to long-running scripted series The First Years across Denmark, Norway and Sweden. BBC Studios and BBC Studios Nordic have an established relationship, partnering on original IP, Denmark Saves the Planet for TV2 and the ongoing development of a local version of The Office.
BBC Studios Nordic’s three existing bases will be rebranded as BBC Studios Nordic Productions and the regional MD, Daniel Svarts, will report into Jan Salling, Head of BBC Studios Nordic. BBC Studios Nordic Productions will produce local adaptations of the unscripted and scripted formats in the BBC Studios catalogue, in addition to developing original IP for a local and global audience. BBC Studios will also distribute and produce BBC Studios Nordic formats outside of Scandinavia.
Matt Forde, Manager Director of International Production and Formats at BBC Studios said “There is a huge affinity and affection in the region for the BBC brand and a growing demand for our content locally. Establishing a wide ranging production presence in the region has been a long-held ambition and a natural evolution for the business after several years of successful format licensing and co-production. Becoming a fully-independent local producer will allow us to have wider creative conversations and to act on the opportunity to develop and export original creative IP from Scandinavia to the wider international market. This acquisition cements us as an international producer of scale with a network spanning 10 countries.”
Jacob DeBoer, EVP International Production and Formats at BBC Studios said: “We are thrilled that the incredibly talented team at BBC Studios Nordic are joining forces with us to become BBC Studios Nordic Productions. They are an exceptionally creative team with an excellent track record and with Jan at the helm of our newest production house, we can’t wait to bring our ideas to broadcasters and platforms in Scandinavia and beyond.”
René Szczyrbak Founder of BBC Studios Nordic said: “BBC Studios Nordic has been my baby and my business for thirty six years. To pass on the company was a major decision, but handing over the keys to BBC Studios feels right and makes me extremely proud as the BBC brand has always been synonymous with outstanding quality. I’m equally proud that the entire management team under the leadership of Daniel Svarts will remain in place to provide continuity for our important relationships in the market. I will continue to support the team and the company in any way possible.”
BBC Studios Nordic Productions joins a growing international production network with bases spanning 10 countries. Responsible for producing local adaptations of brands such as Dancing With The Stars, The Great Bake Off, Weakest Link, Luther, Doctor Foster and Ghosts, original productions include EMMY award-winning Life Below Zero for National Geographic, Murder Amongst the Mormons for Netflix, Space 22 for ABC, Breaking Point for RTL and Homegrown Tastes South Africa for BBC Lifestyle.
BBC STUDIOS AND BANIJAY
Following BBC Studios’ acquisition of BBC Studios Nordic and increased production capability, BBC Studios and Banijay mutually agreed not to the extend the term of their local first-look agreement for unscripted formats beyond 1 April this year.
The two companies will continue to partner on popular formats Dancing With The Stars across the Nordics, The Great Bake Off in Sweden and The Dementia Choir in Denmark and Norway, with Banijay acting as the local producer.
For more information, please contact:
Louise Loffel
Head of Communications EMEA
BBC Studios
Louise.loffel@bbc.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group with sales of £1.6bn (21/22). Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on four pillars: a global Content Studio (producing, investing and distributing content globally); Channels & Streaming platforms in the UK and across the world; a Brands & Licencing operation which seeks to amplify the impact of IP; and the successful UK-based multi-channel network UKTV. Around 2,400 hours of award-winning British programmes made by the business every year, with three-quarters of its revenues from non-BBC customers including Discovery, Apple and Netflix. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Bluey and Doctor Who. BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform, has 139 million unique browser visits each month.
