News

1 July 2010

ENDEMOL LAUNCHES NORDIC OPERATION

Endemol, a world leader in entertainment programming today announced the launch of Endemol Nordic.

The new operation is headquartered in Stockholm and led by newly appointed CEO Michael Porseryd, formerly Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Metronome Group.

Endemol Nordic will create new shows for the local and international markets as well as producing local versions of Endemol's global formats for broadcasters across the region including Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

Michael Porseryd is a leading executive with 16 years experience in the industry.  He joined Metronome in January 2006 as President for Television before becoming Executive Vice President and COO in 2007 with all MDs across the group reporting into him.  During this time he played a leading role in restructuring the group, including the start up of Metronome USA in Los Angeles and the launch of the company's Digital Media division.

His other previous roles include Program Director of leading Swedish broadcaster TV3 and Managing Director of Viasat AB, one of the largest DTH platforms in Europe.

Porseryd takes up his role with immediate effect and further senior appointments will be announced in due course.

Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Endemol Group comments:  "This represents the first time Endemol has had a fully owned operation in this key region of the international market.  The launch of Endemol Nordic will create another European platform for our content portfolio and introduce a further source of creativity within our global network.  Michael Porseryd has an exceptional track record of building businesses and delivering ratings in the region and we're extremely fortunate to have someone of his calibre leading this new venture."

Michael Porseryd comments: "Scandinavia is one of the world's most dynamic and creative TV markets and represents a significant opportunity for a company like Endemol.  The local success of formats such as Big Brother and Wipeout highlights the appetite there is here for Endemol's shows and this puts us in a strong position to hit the ground running.  What's more there is a rich pool of talent across the region and I'm very much looking forward to building a first class team and delivering a new line up of international hits."

Over the last five years Endemol's formats including Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, 1 vs. 100, Fear Factor and Wipeout have proven to be hits across Scandinavia.  In Finland, Big Brother has beaten channel average by up to four times and continued to grow its audience each year since its launch in 2005, with the latest, fifth series increasing its ratings by almost 30% from series four.  In Denmark, Norway and Sweden Wipeout has delivered record ratings, beating channel averages by up to 183% in its first run and returning for second series in all three territories in 2010. The show's popularity led to a Pan Scandinavian series launching in 2009, which is due to return in September 2010.