Endemol buys Israeli production company Kuperman
Endemol, the Netherlands-based television production giant behind CBS’ “Big Brother” and NBC’s “Fear Factor,” has acquired a majority stake in the Israeli production company Kuperman.
Co-owner Elad Kuperman has been named CEO of the new venture.
“We couldn’t ask for a stronger partner than Endemol,” said Kuperman in a release this morning. “Joining forces will provide us with the expertise, global network and resources to create and exploit world class content whilst also allowing us access to one of the industry’s largest and most valuable portfolios of entertainment IP. Our plan is to pursue significant expansion together.”
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Former Kuperman majority stakeholder Ynon Kreiz, meanwhile, who sold his 50% stake in the company to Endemol, will exit Endemol Israel as part of the deal.
Kuperman isn’t just a domestic player in Israel. Several of its shows have been franchised to the United States -- albeit with mixed success. The company’s sitcom “Traffic Light” sold to Fox and ran for 13 episodes in the United States in 2011. Its reality series “The Successor” became “Phenomenon,” which starred mentalist Criss Angel and aired for five episodes on NBC in 2007.
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