BBC Worldwide Takes Stake in U.K. Indie

LONDON, September 16: BBC
Worldwide has acquired an undisclosed minority stake in independent production
outfit Baby Cow, whose credits include the hit comedy Gavin & Stacey.

BBC Worldwide has been
distributing Baby Cow’s properties on the international market for almost nine
years. Headed by Henry Normal and leading comedian Steve Coogan, the company’s
properties include Mighty Boosh,
Nighty Night, Sensitive Skin and Saxondale.

Normal and Coogan will
retain full control of the company and continue development on new ideas. BBC
Worldwide will continue distributing Baby Cow’s catalogue, as well as develop
local production opportunities and manage Baby Cow brands internationally.

Normal, a joint managing
director, stated: “We looked at a number of options to move Baby Cow forward
and BBC Worldwide was head and shoulders above the rest in terms of
understanding what we do and how to build upon it. I’m very excited about
working closer with BBC Worldwide and bringing to Baby Cow the vast expertise
and experience they can offer.”

Coogan, also joint
managing director, added: “We have a great relationship with BBC Worldwide.
This is the best move for Baby Cow to ensure it stays true to its commitment to
quality television and staying at the forefront of comedy on screen.”

Helen Jackson, BBC
Worldwide’s director of independents who brokered the deal, said: “BBC
Worldwide has been working with Baby Cow for nearly a decade, in which time
they have become one of the world’s most innovative and successful producers.
We’re thrilled to be building on our partnership in this way. They really fly
the flag for British comedy and I can’t wait to see how they will continue to
break new ground.”

—By Mansha Daswani