Fremantle takes full ownership of Blu

FremantleMedia is acquiring the remaining 25% of Scandinavian production outfit Blu that it did not own.

Blu, which has a presence in Denmark and Sweden, is behind local versions of global hits such as X Factor, Idols, Hole in the Wall, Take Me Out and Farmer Wants a Wife. FremantleMedia has held a majority stake in the firm since 2005.

Blu’s founder Henrik Hancke Nielsen is now an executive producer at FremantleMedia North America.

Simon Spalding, regional CEO for Europe and Asia Pacific at FremantleMedia, said: “Blu has gone from strength to strength, and we’re delighted to increase our investment in the company, making it a wholly owned part of FremantleMedia.

“This is a further demonstration of our absolute confidence in Blu’s continued ability to bring inspiring entertainment to audiences in Denmark, Sweden and beyond.”

The news follows Fremantle snapping up Netherlands-based production company FourOne Media, adding scale to its Dutch production arm Blue Circle and expanding its catalogue into drama, fiction and sitcoms.