Endemol Takes Stake in Russian Producer

LONDON: Endemol has picked up a controlling interest in WeiT Media, a Russian production company headed up by Timur Weinstein that works across drama, entertainment, animation, feature films and TV movies, documentaries and digital content.

Established in August 2009 by Weinstein, the company includes WeiT Media, which focuses on drama, animation and entertainment; WeiT Ship Films, which produces feature films; WeiT Island Production, specializing in documentaries and TV movies; and WeiT Falcon Content, which is dedicated to the development of digital content.

WeiT Media has been commissioned for 16 projects, including sitcoms, soap operas and documentary series, by Russian broadcasters. It is also working on a full-length animated movie and two feature films. With the investment, WeiT Media becomes the producer of Endemol’s scripted and entertainment formats in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The venture will operate separately from Endemol Moscow, which will focus its efforts on expanding Participation TV, Astrology TV and other interactive business from Russia into CIS and Central and Eastern Europe.

Marina Williams, CEO of Central and Eastern European operations at Endemol Group, noted: “Timur Weinstein has a well earned reputation as one of Russia’s most accomplished television producers and WeiT Media has already secured significant commissions from broadcasters. This partnership will considerably expand our regional business, establishing Endemol as a major local producer of scripted programming and allowing us to bring production expertise and new opportunities to numerous CIS countries.”

Weinstein added: “This strategic partnership combines Endemol’s global scale, expertise and resources with our experience in the Russian market. This presents a new level of opportunity to WeiT Media and strongly positions us for growth. Endemol is a dynamic company that has built its business on creativity and that makes them the ideal partner for us."