Juan Pablo Conti ©RapidTVNews | 09-08-2011


Wales-based independent TV producer Tinopolis has acquired its second US production company in less than three months.

Following its acquisition of A Smith & Co back in June, for which it reportedly paid $100 million, Tinopolis has now added BASE Productions (valued at around ($75 million) to its portfolio of global television production companies.

A supplier of TV programming to several US networks, BASE owns a studio and production facilities at its headquarters in Burbank, California. Amongst its best-known programmes are Sport Science (a long-running series for ESPN), Known Universe and Fight Science (commissioned by National Geographic), Police POV for Tru Tv and Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files.

Beyond its two new US asset additions, other content outlets controlled by the Welsh company include Mentorn (the producer of Question Time), sports production company Sunset+Vine and Pioneer. It generates around 1,600 hours of drama, factual, entertainment and sports programming each year for more than 200 broadcasters worldwide.

“With two major producers in the US now as part of the group, Tinopolis has become a truly international player and is even better able to serve our customers around the world,” said Ron Jones, Tinopolis’s executive chairman.

John Brenkus, Co-CEO of BASE, added: “We’ve been approached by numerous companies over the years, and none of the offers made sense until now. Between [Tinopolis’s] UK core and our new alliance with A Smith & Co here in the US, our combined global reach, quality programming and outstanding management make the Tinopolis Group a true force in the industry.”