BBC Worldwide has strengthened its partnership with All3Media Germany, in the jointly-owned production company Tower Productions by combining both format catalogues into one definitive collection.
Production will continue solely under the Tower Productions brand, which will have exclusive access to both BBC Worldwide’s and All3Media’s catalogues of non-scripted formats. MME (Me, Myself & Eye Entertainment) will no longer be promoting its market presence as a separate company with its staff transferring to Tower Productions.
Arne Kreutzfeldt has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Tower Productions. Previously Arne was executive producer and Head of Factual Entertainment Programming at both Tower Productions and MME.
Philipp Schmid, previously executive producer at BBC Worldwide, will be bringing added strength to Tower Productions management as Creative Director and Deputy Managing Director.
The present Managing Director of MME, Dr. Marc Lammek, will be leaving the company by way of mutual agreement in the course of the restructuring process.
Tobi de Graaff, EVP, Western Europe, Global Markets, BBC Worldwide commented “Combining the two great format catalogues under one banner will make Tower a production power-house. I can’t imagine there being a more interesting and successful catalogue, with international hits ranging from Dancing with the Stars and Top Gear to Four in a Bed and Undercover Boss, to rival this partnership. With this new direction for Tower Productions in place we look to explore further opportunities in Western Europe.”
Dr. Markus Schäfer, Managing Director of All3Media Germany and COO/CFO at MME Moviement AG said “It is an honour for us and underscores the international reputation of the All3Media Group, as well as our market position in Germany, that BBC Worldwide has decided to renew its co-operation with us. This represents another important step for us in implementing our strategy of continuing to grow in Germany with strong formats and partners, while at the same time enhancing the profile of the All3Media Group. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to enlist Arne Kreutzfeldt as Managing Director of Tower Productions, who is extremely familiar with the format rights catalogues owned by All3Media and BBC Worldwide, and that Philipp Schmid, as a format developer and programming expert from BBC Worldwide, will also be adding strength to the company´s management.”
Tower Productions was formed in 2009 as a joint venture between All3Media – major shareholder in MME Moviement AG – and BBC Worldwide, to produce and develop a wide spectrum of BBC Worldwide formats in Germany. Transferring the MME format catalogue and staff to Tower Productions will subsequently ensure a clear market presence and a single point of call for customers of both format catalogues.
BBC Worldwide’s catalogue includes 130 non-scripted titles. From key formats such as Dancing with the Stars and Top Gear to The Great Bake Off and Sewing Bee.
All3Media offers a varied catalogue consisting of more than 8,000 hours of multi-genre content, its production output being especially strong in the sectors of drama, comedy, factual and factual entertainment programming.
