ITV Studios Buys Sweden’s Elk Production

Building upon its Scandinavian presence, ITV Studios has acquired Sweden’s Elk Production, known for entertainment shows like En Ska Bort (Odd One Out) and Wahlgrens.

The label, acquired from Elk Entertainment Group, has about 15 shows in production across the Swedish media landscape, including Drömpyramiden (Stacked), Ett jobb för Berg (A Job for Berg) and Superskaparna (Supercrafters). It has also produced local versions of international formats, including Ninja Warriors and Top Chef: Just Desserts. Elk Production will merge with ITV Studios’ existing Swedish production business. ITV Studios Sweden will be led by Elk Production’s managing director, Anna Rydin, reporting to Mike Beale, the managing director for the Nordics and global creative network at ITV Studios.

In addition, ITV Studios will the exclusive partner to Elk Formats—which remains a part of Elk Entertainment—in the Nordics with the right to produce its shows through ITV Studios’ production companies in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Maria Kyriacou, the president of ITV Studios International, commented, “Anna and her team are enormously respected producers in Sweden, with an impressive track record in producing hits through both original shows and existing formats. Combining the force of both ITV Studios and Elk Production, along with Talpa and Twofour formats, we become one of the leading formats companies in the Nordics.”

Rydin noted, “ITV Studios and Elk Production is such a perfect fit. The formats from the ITV, Talpa and Twofour catalogs, the fantastic and growing catalog at Elk Entertainment and the producers at Elk Production/ITV Studios, give us a unique position and the opportunity to grow in the Swedish market. We are very much looking forward to getting started!”

Beale added, “This acquisition enriches our position in the Nordics, an important creative hub. Anna is perfectly positioned to lead the integrated companies and their combined expertise to guide ITVS Sweden through its next stage of growth. I’m looking forward to working with her and our impressive teams across the Nordic region to make the most of our expanded formats portfolio.”