US financial investor KKR takes over German movie rights distributor Universum Film from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland.
Financial details were not disclosed. Bernhard zu Castell will remain managing director of Universum Film. The purchase of the company, which acquires and licences film rights, is subject to regulatory approvals.
KKR recently bought Tele München Gruppe (TMG), which is also active in the film rights business, and announced further acquisitions.
“I am proud that we are one step closer to our vision of creating something truly new and unique in the German entertainment industry,” said Philipp Freise, partner and head of the European investment team for technology, media and telecommunications at KKR.
“Universum ideally complements our platform: Like no other, the company brings tailor-made content to the viewer – in the cinema or at home,” added Freise. “With Universum and TMG, the platform is already one of the best in the industry in many areas. We want to build on these strengths and continue growing.”
RTL and Universum Film want to continue working closely together in the areas of series and film development and rights acquisitions.
