ITV acquires So Television

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has expanded its production business by acquiring the prodco behind BBC1’s The Graham Norton Show.

Graham Norton

ITV, via its production hub ITV Studios, will pay an upfront cash sum of £10m (US$15.8m) for So Television, with a further cash payment based on the prodco’s profit performance to July 31, 2016. The maximum amount payable will be £17m.

So TV was set up by comedian Graham Norton and Graham Stuart 12 years ago to focus on comedy, entertainment, factual entertainment and drama series. It is behind hits including The Graham Norton Show, which was earlier this year recommissioned by the BBC through to 2014. The series debuted in 2007 and airs in 100 other countries, including on Network Ten in Australia.

Other So TV shows include The Sarah Millican Television Programme, which has been recommissioned for a second season, beginning with a Christmas special, after its first run on BBC2 earlier this year. It also produces panel show Alexander Armstrong’s Big Ask for UK diginet Dave, which was also recommissioned earlier this year.

ITV CEO Adam Crozier has previously spoken about expanding ITV Studios’ production base through acquisitions, both in the UK and internationally.

Kevin Lygo

Earlier this year, the company acquired Norwegian prodco Mediacircus, which has become part of ITV Studios Nordic, and established a partnership with Israeli broadcaster Reshet TV.

Kevin Lygo, MD of ITV Studios, said of the So TV deal: “This is an important acquisition for ITV Studios and demonstrates our strategy to increase our capability in the production of high-quality television entertainment programming.”

Stuart added: “Now we have the chance to achieve what we’ve always wanted to in this industry but with real strength and inspiration behind us.”

ITV Studios also includes UK prodcos 12 Yard Productions and Shiver. Its international operation includes ITV Studios America, ITV Studios Nordic (fka Silverback), Granada Australia, ITV Studios France and ITV Studios Germany.