The Stage

Tiger Aspect bought by Endemol

Published Monday 23 November 2009 at 17:52 by Matthew Hemley

Tiger Aspect, the production company behind shows such as The Vicar of Dibley and Secret Diary of a Call Girl, has been bought by Big Brother producer Endemol from IMG Media.

As part of its deal with IMG Media, Endemol has also purchased the production house Darlow Smithson, which also incorporates Tigress.

All three will now report into Endemol UK management and will be globally represented by Endemol Worldwide Distribution and Endemol Group’s format sales operation.

Andrew Zein, managing director of Tiger Aspect, said: “Endemol is the real deal - a fully functioning global creative business. They understand and appreciate what we do and how we do it. For us this is the dream deal we thought would never happen. We’ve found the ideal home.”

Tim Hincks, chief executive officer of Endemol UK, said the companies represent “a collection of some of the best creatives in the business”.

“We want to back them and give them the freedom to further grow, both in the UK and around the world,” he said.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.