MIPCOM 2017 – CANNES. Canal+-owned international channel distribution company Thema has acquired a majority stake in Dutch firm IBSBM in Amsterdam.
IBSBM, founded and headed by Menno Hidajattoellah, is representing a large number of channels in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the Nordic region.
The deal was brokered between Thema CEO Fabrice Faux and Menno Hidajattoellah (pictured) and should help Thema getting access to the markets in Northern Europe.
“We want to keep expanding internationally by having strong local distribution partners in key territories and regions.” said Faux. Until now, Thema did not have so much success in Northern Europe, but Faux hopes to change that with the stake in IBSBM.
In a related development, Thema has signed a partnership with Pablo Romero Sulla (through his company Tarkinia) to expand distribution activities in Spain, and source best Spanish content for worldwide distribution.