SPT Ups Stake in Dutch Indie Tuvalu

LONDON/HILVERSUM: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has increased its stake in the Dutch outfit Tuvalu Media, which will now act as the company’s production arm across Benelux and will represent SPT’s light-entertainment programming in the region.

Tuvalu Media is managed by Roel Kooi, Taco Zimmerman and Duurt Holman. The company’s credits include formats such as Holiday SOS and You’ve Been Faked. Most recently, Tuvalu produced the talent format Move Like Michael Jackson, which is currently airing on SBS6 in the Netherlands and on VT4 in Belgium.

SPT is also represented in the Netherlands by Intellygents, which will continue to operate as an independent brand in the Dutch market.

Kees Abrahams, the president of international production at SPT, said: “Increasing our investment in Tuvalu Media is another key milestone in building our international production business. Roel Kooi, Taco Zimmerman, Duurt Holman and their team are highly regarded for their creative and production expertise, and they now play a pivotal role in our ever-strengthening talent pool.”

Kooi commented, “With this deal, we gain access to the vast Sony catalogue, comprising some of the most successful game shows of all time. As SPT’s production partner in the Benelux region, our foothold as a creator and producer is further strengthened in the Netherlands and internationally.”