Endemol pours €30MN into premium channel network

Pascale Paoli-Lebailly | 13-11-2013

Leading production company Endemol is to initially invest up to €30 million into Endemol Beyond, a new global venture building on existing digital video operations in multiple markets.

Endemol Germany's Georg Ramme has been appointed managing director of Endemol Beyond International, reporting to group commercial board chair, Lucas Church.

Endemol Beyond is set to create a network of premium international and local channels across YouTube and other platforms such as Yahoo, AOL, MSN and Dailymotion.

It will also invest in original productions and partner with international brands to feed channels themed by genres including comedy, entertainment, fashion and film. Selected third-party programming will also be acquired.

The group thus wants to accelerate the expansion of established digital video hubs in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, as well as entering growth markets around the world.

The new venture aims to "mirror Endemol's core content business, leveraging the company's global creativity, brands and IP and producing premium entertainment that is exploited across all platforms," the production company explained.

Endemol added that its digital video business has already launched over 100 YouTube channels in markets worldwide. These include Germany, where the company's local hub, launched in 2012, already operates under the Endemol Beyond banner and has rapidly expanded its business with productions for partners including YouTube, Yahoo, McDonalds, Sony Music and Mazda.