Content distributor creates acquisitions unit

by Fiona Ramsay Media Week 22-May-08, 12:34

LONDON - Independent distributor Digital Rights Group (DRG) has launched an acquisitions group to develop programming for international distribution by its subsidiary companies.

With a remit to grow DRG-represented content in all genres, the group will look for programming development and funding opportunities, including one-off development deals, first- look deals and the arrangement of co-production deals, deficit financing and full production cash-flow.

Content acquired by the group, which already includes the show Singing Bee, will be distributed internationally by its subsidiaries, Portman Film & TV, Zeal Entertainment, iD Distribution, Click TV, Channel 4 International (C4i) and I-Rights.

Andrea Jackson, managing director of Zeal Entertainment, will chair the DRG Acquisitions Group. Jackson will be joined by Niki Page, head of acquisitions at C4i; Caroline Percy, head of acquisitions at iD Distribution, and Anke Stoll, head of acquisitions at Portman Film & TV.

Having acquired six distribution companies since 2007, DRG has streamlined its business to combine back office functions, while maintaining separate sales teams for each brand. The content creators working with DRG will be able to decide which distributor best suits their programming.