Fox buys Extreme Makeover TV production company Scream Films

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 03-Mar-05, 11:00

LONDON - Fox Television Studios has bought UK independent production company Scream Films, behind Living TV's 'Extreme Makeover UK' series, for a seven-figure sum.

It marks the first UK indie acquisition for News Corporation, owner of Fox, and highlights the growing importance television broadcasters are placing on reality television.

Fox Television Studios is renowned for making US reality TV hits including 'Temptation Island', 'Paradise Island' and the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie-fronted series 'The Simple Life'.

Fox TV won the US February Sweeps due to the success of 'American Idol' and the Super Bowl.

Scream was also behind the BBC Three documentary 'Dale's Wedding', 'Prince Harry Laid Bare', 'I'm Famous and Frightened' and the 'Kate Moss' expose for Five, as well as a number of other celebrity-driven reality shows.

Scream will continue to operate as a standalone unit, but will work with Fox to develop formats that will work in the UK and the US. The company's nine-strong team will stay on and report to Fox president Angela Shapiro-Mathes.

Scream's managing director, Southan Morris, said the takeover would benefit the company by helping it to develop and expand globally.

"Being part of Fox will enable us to beef up our development efforts and target the global market," he said.

Scream Films turnover for 2004 was £3.7m with pre-tax profits of £250,000.

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