Ten Alps works on international outlook

UK independent factual group Ten Alps is aiming to become more international in its approach after reporting increased revenues and reduced losses for the year.

The Bob Geldof-backed company, which counts Brook Lapping, Blakeway and Films of Record among its prodcos, has reported revenue of £43.5m (US$67.9m) for the 12 months to March 31, up 7.1% on the previous year.

Pre-tax losses narrowed to £3.9m, compared with £24.2m a year earlier. Ten Alps announced in April that it had reduced its debts and secured further investment from its main shareholder.

The company said yesterday that following the successful restructure it was now looking, within its TV division, to “prioritise the development of series ideas and forging new relationships with different programme commissioners.”

The firm will also seek to enhance the overseas reputation of its individual production outfits, “to ensure that each company is international in its outlook and capable of working with international clients. The plan is to grow our TV unit business organically over the next two or three years with strategic additions of talent to enhance those aims.”

Ten Alps’ combined TV operations reported a 25.6% revenue rise to £9.7m, while operating profit stood at £330,000, compared with a loss of £1.49m the year before.

Blakeway MD Fiona Stourton was promoted to overall creative director last year in the wake of the departure of Ten Alps CEO Alex Connock, who has since re-emerged at Shine UK.

Among the shows Ten Alps singled out as its creative highlights of the year were Great Ormond Street (BBC2), The Hunt for Bin Laden (ITV1), Perspectives: Roald Dahl (ITV1) and King George and Queen Mary: The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy (BBC2).