Tinopolis Acquires Pioneer Productions

LONDON: British factual programming outfit Pioneer Productions has been acquired by the Welsh-based Tinopolis Group, which owns a host of other U.K. production outfits.

With the acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, Pioneer becomes part of a group that includes Mentorn Media, Folio, Daybreak Pictures, Fiction Factory, POP 1 and Sunset + Vine. For Tinopolis, the acquisition is part of its efforts to ramp up its factual-content business. Pioneer’s credits include How the Earth Was Made for History in the U.S., Journey to the Edge of the Universe for National Geographic Channel in the U.S. and Discovery Channel Canada and Catastrophe for Channel 4. The outfit was recently commissioned by C4 to produce The Bible: A History. Under the Tinopolis umbrella, Pioneer will retain its brand name, with Stuart Carter continuing on as managing director. Also staying on are the senior executive team of Jeremy Dear as head of development, Kirstie McLure as head of production and Peter Dunkerley as head of finance.

Arwel Rees, the managing director of the Tinopolis Group, said: "We are delighted with the acquisition of such a successful and well-run business, with excellent creative leadership and talent. Pioneer’s programs attract enormous international recognition with most of their commissions coming from foreign broadcasters, key for any growing indie."

"This is an exciting opportunity for us, at the right time in the growth of our company, and we are looking forward to being part of the Tinopolis family," added Carter. "This deal proves that the TV sector—especially the U.K. market—is a vibrant one; large groups, encompassing a variety of indies, continue to prove themselves as a strong and successful business model.”