Lagardère acquires Spanish prodco

MIPCOM: French production outfit Lagardère Studios has acquired a fiction and factual production company based in Barcelona as part of its ongoing expansion.

Christophe Thoral

Lagardère was previously a shareholder in Catalonia-based Veranda and has now acquired shares held by Grupo Godo to take full ownership.

Created in 2010, Veranda is headed by Aitor Montánchez and Ignasi Comillas and produces fiction, entertainment and documentary programmes for television and digital platforms.

Its slate includes drama series Merlí and Gran Nord and documentaries Fet a Catalunya and Les Flors del Mal.

Two adaptations of Merlí are currently being developed for France and Italy, and a spin-off, Merli: Sapere Aude, produced for Movistar+ in Spain.

This acquisition in Catalonia allows Lagardère Studios to strengthen its presence in Spain where it already owns the Boomerang Group.

Christophe Thoral, CEO of Lagardère Studios, said: “We are delighted to consolidate our European presence with this new acquisition, which opens up additional opportunities for Boomerang TV that will complement the productions already underway in Spain.”