LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) – International reality-TV giant Endemol, the company behind such programs as “Deal or No Deal,” “Big Brother” and “Fear Factor,” plans to shake up the sports landscape with the launch of a major global sports programing and channels division.
Competing against sports giant IMG and independent sports producers, Endemol Sports aims to partner with broadcasters, sports federations, advertisers and brands, leveraging the company’s network of production businesses in more than 25 countries, CEO Ynon Kreiz said.
The unit will aim to create a generation of programing featuring traditional coverage as well as the entertainment, interactive and multimedia elements that have made Endemol brands like “Big Brother” major international properties.
It also will look at acquiring sports rights and working with rights owners to launch a range of television channels.
Endemol Sports will be headed by IMG Sport veterans Lawrence Duffy and Gregg Oldfield, who will serve as joint managing directors.
Duffy said the division is set to be “a major global enterprise” and likely will hire 50 to 100 staffers during the startup period. Oldfield said the enterprise will “transpose Endemol’s DNA into the sports market.”
Endemol suits up for global sports | Entertainment | Television | Reuters
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