StudioCanal buys into Tandem

France’s StudioCanal is making its first move into TV, acquiring a majority stake in Tandem Communications – the German prodco behind miniseries including Pillars of the Earth.

StudioCanal, part of the Canal+ Group, has bought 51% of privately-owned Tandem for an undisclosed sum.

The film studio will not have any involvement of the day-to-day running of Tandem, which will continue to produce and distribute its own content and acquire content for international distribution.

Munich-based Tandem is behind the adaptation of Ken Follett’s novel Pillars (8×50’), coproduced with Muse Entertainment and Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Films.

Its current slate include Follett’s Pillars’ follow-up World Without End (8×60’), also coproduced with Scott Free and Take5 Productions; and Labyrinth (4×60’), another Scott Free coproduction based on the book by Kate Mosse.

Tandem is currently owned by CEO Rola Bauer, MD Tim Halkin, and fellow partner Jonas Bauer (no relation to Rola). The takeover will see the trio retain their positions within the company and as shareholders.

StudioCanal has been looking to invest in a television producer for some time and had spoken with several companies before opening talks six months ago with Tandem.

“StudioCanal stands for excellent quality,” said Rola Bauer. “Its brand value and strategic expertise will open new levels for growth potential in the years to come. StudioCanal has the foresight to support our entrepreneurial spirit and together we will multiply our respective strengths.”

Olivier Courson, chairman and CEO of StudioCanal, added: “With our multi-territory distribution network, the development of our international production, amplified by our slate financing deal, StudioCanal is really now a major studio in Europe.

“As all studios have done, the next logical move is to diversify into TV minis and series. We searched for the best partner in Europe and found Tandem as the ideal one. Their television strategy is in sync with our objective. We were meant to work together.”

Paris-based StudioCanal operates in France, the UK and Germany and has a film catalogue of more than 5,000 titles. Last year it secured distribution deals with Amazon-owned film streaming and rental service LoveFilm in Germany and the UK.

Canal+ Group’s French television channel Canal+ last October picked up broadcast rights to Pillars, which is slated for a December debut.