BBC Studios acquires Scandinavian production house STV in expansion drive

BBC Studios, the commercial and production arm of the UK pubcaster, has acquired pan-Scandinavian production company STV.

Jan Salling

BBC Studios said the acquisition will build on the company’s existing production capabilities and expand its footprint and presence in the region and is in response to the growing appetite and opportunities for BBC content in the market.

Based in Copenhagen with offices in both Norway and Sweden, STV is known for factual entertainment formats such as Big Love and Get Lost Honey.

STV also acts as local producer for Long Lost Family, Wheel of Fortune and Bargain King, in addition to long-running scripted series The First Years across Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

BBC Studios and STV have an established relationship, partnering on original property Denmark Saves the Planet for TV2 and the ongoing development of a local version of The Office.

STV’s three existing bases will be rebranded as BBC Studios Nordic Productions and the regional MD, Daniel Svarts, will report into Jan Salling, head of BBC Studios Nordic.

BBC Studios Nordic Productions will produce local adaptations of the unscripted and scripted formats in the BBC Studios catalogue, in addition to developing original IP for a local and global audience. BBC Studios will also distribute and produce STV formats outside of Scandinavia.

As exclusively revealed by C21, BBC Studios and Banijay mutually agreed not to extend the term of their local first-look agreement for unscripted formats beyond April.

Daniel Svarts

The two companies will continue to partner on popular formats Dancing With The Stars across the Nordics, The Great Bake Off in Sweden and The Dementia Choir in Denmark and Norway, with Banijay acting as the local producer.

Matt Forde, MD of international production and formats at BBC Studios, said: “There is a huge affinity and affection in the region for the BBC brand and a growing demand for our content locally.

“Establishing a wide-ranging production presence in the region has been a long-held ambition and a natural evolution for the business after several years of successful format licensing and co-production.

“Becoming a fully independent local producer will allow us to have wider creative conversations and to act on the opportunity to develop and export original creative IP from Scandinavia to the wider international market. This acquisition cements us as an international producer of scale.”

René Szczyrbak, founder of STV, added: “STV has been my baby and my business for 36 years. To pass on the company was a major decision but handing over the keys to BBC Studios feels right and makes me extremely proud as the BBC brand has always been synonymous with outstanding quality.

“I’m equally proud that the entire management team under the leadership of Daniel Svarts will remain in place to provide continuity for our important relationships in the market. I will continue to support the team and the company in any way possible.”