Keshet swoops on Greenbird

INTV: Keshet International (KI) has taken a majority stake in UK production financier and prodco incubator Greenbird Media.

The deal, unveiled here at INTV in Jerusalem, sees KI up its share of Greenbird and take over BBC Worldwide’s 30% stake in the company.

KI will handle global distribution of shows created by independent production companies that Greenbird supports.

Greenbird provides independent producers with access to innovative funding models and licensing deals to support their creative productions.

Its interests include a minority stake in Frank Spotnitz’s prodco Big Light Productions, and backing of producers Tuesday’s Child, Rumpus Media, Riverdog Productions, Kalel Productions and Flicker Productions.

KI has rapidly grown its development, production and distribution activities over the past five years, striking several strategic alliances worldwide.

Alon Shtruzman, CEO of KI, said Greenbird’s entrepreneurial and creative culture was the perfect match for Keshet. “We share similar philosophies and values, and by combining KI’s global footprint with Greenbird Media’s stellar team, I see limitless possibilities and accelerated growth,” he added.

Greenbird was founded by former Shine TV exec Jamie Munro and Stuart Mullin from Argonon, who are joint MDs at the company. “We would like to thank BBC Worldwide for believing in us at our inception. Now it’s time for us to take our next step,” said Munro, who called Keshet a like-minded international partner with an inherent commercial drive that would help Greenbird continue to deliver support to production companies.