NBCU acquires Monkey Kingdom

NBC Universal (NBCU) has acquired indie Monkey Kingdom for an undisclosed sum, marking the US studio’s second UK prodco acquisition following its purchase of Carnival Film & Television in 2008.

The acquisition is the first since the appointment of Michael Edelstein, NBCU’s president of international TV production.

NBCU is acquiring 100% of Monkey Kingdom, which was founded in 2001 by producers David Granger and Will Macdonald. The firm is best known for Young, Dumb And Living Off Mum, a factual entertainment series that aired on diginet BBC3; and Channel 4 shows The Charlotte Church Show and Comedy Roast.

It also created The Secret World of Sam King, a 60-episode web drama that aired on social network Bebo in 2008.

The deal comes after NBCU International TV Production carried out a reshuffle in September, promoting Carnival MD Gareth Neame to the new position of UK MD, reporting to Edelstein, and hiring Oscar-winning documentary producer Deborah Oppenheimer as executive VP.