ITV Buys Poldark Producer Mammoth Screen

LONDON: ITV plc has acquired Mammoth Screen, which is behind such hit scripted productions as Poldark.

ITV has held a 25 percent equity investment in Mammoth Screen since 2007 and has now acquired the remaining 75 percent of the company. ITV Studios’ distribution arm, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, has an existing agreement to exclusively distribute Mammoth Screen’s productions, which has seen Endeavour air in more than 180 countries. Poldark, which was a ratings hit on BBC One in the U.K., was recently launched to the international market, with deals already in place with broadcasters around the world, including in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Canada.

Mammoth Screen’s Damien Timmer will lead the business as managing director. Co-founder Michele Buck will step down as joint managing director. Buck will remain as executive producer on Agatha Raisin, A Tale of Two Cities and Lewis, which she produces with ITV Studios.

Julian Bellamy, the managing director of ITV Studios UK, said: “Damien and the team are one of the most impressive and sought-after drama producers in Britain. From Endeavour to Poldark, they've an uncanny knack of developing hit after hit and we're delighted they're joining the ITV Studios family."

Timmer added: “This move will allow Mammoth to make even more ambitious drama, working with the best creative talent in the business. We have a long history with ITV Studios, and with its support and backing we’ll be able to make television for a wide range of partners both at home and abroad, whilst remaining a very British television company.”