Endemol Acquires Southern Star

HILVERSUM: Endemol is to acquire 100 percent of the Southern Star Group from Fairfax Media, adding some 14,000 hours to its catalogue of content.

Southern Star is Australia’s largest production and distribution group. The move expands Endemol’s third-party distribution efforts, as well as its foothold in the scripted programming market, with Southern Star being home to a range of drama, kids’ programming, factual fare and entertainment and reality formats. Highlights of the catalogue include Home and Away, McLeod’s Daughters, Hi-5, Packed to the Rafters, Blue Water High and the upcoming Rush, Rescue and Tangle.

The deal incorporates Southern Star International, Southern Star Entertainment and Southern Star’s 49-percent share in the joint-venture company, Endemol Southern Star. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is slated for completion in the first quarter. Fairfax retains control of Oxford Scientific Films and kids’ producer Darrall Macqueen.

With the acquisition, Hugh Marks will continue as CEO of Southern Star Group, reporting to Ynon Kreiz, the chairman and CEO of the Endemol Group. Endemol Southern Star and Southern Star Entertainment will continue to be headed up by Rory Callaghan as managing director, reporting to Marco Bassetti, the COO of Endemol Group. Cathy Payne will remain CEO of Southern Star International, working from London and Sydney, reporting to Tom Toumazis, Endemol’s recently appointed chief commercial officer.

Announcing the deal, Kreiz said: "This acquisition represents a major step forward in achieving three strategic objectives for Endemol. It greatly enhances our position as a major production force in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific; it further builds our global distribution platform, which will now combine both Southern Star International and Endemol’s worldwide operations, with one of the industry’s most extensive portfolios of top rating shows; and it accelerates the expansion of our scripted programming activities.”

Hugh Marks, the CEO of Southern Star Group, added: “After ten years as joint venture partners we have seen the many benefits that come with being associated with an international entertainment powerhouse like Endemol. The ability to become a major part of Endemol’s expansion in international distribution and growth in scripted programming is an ideal opportunity for our business and our people and will enable us to both expand our creative ambitions and provide an even greater level of service to our customers."