Fremantle takes a majority stake in All or Nothing factual prodco 72 Films

L-R: David Glover, Mark Raphael, Jennifer Mullin and Simon Andreae

European production group Fremantle has acquired a majority stake in London-based factual indie 72 Films.

Founded by David Glover and Mark Raphael, 72 Films is the prodco behind Prime Video’s sport docuseries All or Nothing: Arsenal and National Geographic’s 9/11: One Day in America.

Its other recent docuseries include The Elon Musk Show for the BBC and Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story for Netflix. ACF advised 72 Films on the deal with Fremantle.

The investment follows an array of acquisitions Fremantle has made over the past 12 months, in companies including Dancing Ledge (The Responder) in the UK, Italian scripted prodco Lux Vide (Devils, Leonardo), LA-based Fabel Entertainment (Bosch), Australian-American prodco Eureka Productions (Parental Guidance, Finding Magic Mike) and UK-based unscripted prodco Label1 (Hospital, Five Guys a Week, Soldier).

Over the past year Fremantle has also acquired 12 production labels in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark from Nordic Entertainment Group, and most recently Ireland’s Element Pictures (Normal People, The Favourite).

Glover and Raphael said in a statement: “At this stage of 72’s development, there are great advantages and opportunities of joining forces with Fremantle. Their extensive international infrastructure and expertise will provide 72 Films with the platform to have our work seen across the world.”

Jennifer Mullin, group CEO at Fremantle, said: “David and Mark and their team at 72 Films are exceptional talents, all of whom take enormous pride in their storytelling and filmmaking, and we are thrilled to have them as part of our family.”

Simon Andreae, CEO of Fremantle UK, added: “Mark, David and the 72 family have developed an unrivalled reputation for telling the world’s most fascinating stories with real freshness and flair. We are delighted to welcome them into the Fremantle family and look forward to supporting them in whatever ways we can as they continue to grow and flourish.”