Two more Belgian prodcos for Eyeworks

Dutch production company Eyeworks has made the latest in a string of acquisitions, bringing onboard more drama and game show expertise with the purchase of two of Belgium’s leading producers.

Eyeworks, which is perhaps best known for its quiz format Test the Nation, has been pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy over the past two years and has now picked up MMG and Pics.

MMG is Belgium’s foremost TV drama and film producers. The firm is behind programmes including Windkracht 10, the comedy Urbanus and police series Flikken.

Pics, meanwhile, is one of Belgium’s leading game show outfits and currently produces local versions of international formats Blind Date, To Catch a Thief and Strictly Come Dancing for local broadcaster VTM.

Eyeworks gained its first foothold in the country in February last year when it bought out De Televisiefabriek (The Television Factory). The deal was the second major strategic move of 2004, after the company increased its stake in German producer Stormy Eyeworks in January.

The company’s Swedish empire has also grown with the acquisition of BingoLotto Show maker Nova TV, following this up with a second purchase in the form of ProduktionBolaget.

Eyeworks has also diversified into sports television, buying up fellow Dutch company WK Productions. The company has said that the UK and France are top of its agenda for future expansion but no deals have as yet been forthcoming in these territories.