ITV STUDIOS ACQUIRES SWEDISH PRODUCTION COMPANY ELK PRODUCTION 21 June 2017 – ITV Studios has acquired the Swedish production company Elk Production, a subsidiary of Elk Entertainment Group. The production label is known for hit entertainment shows including quiz En Ska Bort (Odd One Out) and award-winning series Wahlgrens and Parneviks. Elk Production currently has 15 shows in production or on air across Sweden’s free to air and pay TV channels including Drömpyramiden (Stacked), Ett jobb för Berg (A Job For Berg) and Superskaparna (Supercrafters). It has also produced local versions of international formats including Ninja Warriors, Superstars and Top Chef: Just Desserts. ITV Studios’ majority stake in Elk Production will see the company combine with ITV Studios’ existing Swedish production business, with the amalgamated companies operating under the brand ITV Studios Sweden. ITV Studios Sweden has produced Come Dine With Me for TV4 since 2008 creating 19 seasons so far. It is also producing This Time Next Year for SVT. Elk Production’s current Managing Director, Anna Rydin, will lead the newly combined ITV Studios Sweden reporting to Mike Beale, Managing Director, Nordics and Global Creative Network, ITV Studios. Elk Formats is not included in the acquisition and remains part of Elk Entertainment. However, ITV Studios will be its exclusive formats partner in the Nordics with the right to produce shows, including Stacked and All Inclusive, through ITV Studios’ production companies in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway. ITV Studios now represents a strong library of formats in the region encompassing ITV Studios, Talpa, Twofour and now Elk 1 Entertainment formats. This is in addition to the development of original formats across ITV Studios’ four Nordic based production companies. Maria Kyriacou, President, ITV Studios International said: “Anna and her team are enormously respected producers in Sweden, with an impressive track record in producing hits through both original shows and existing formats. Combining the force of both ITV Studios and Elk Production, along with Talpa and Twofour formats, we become one of the leading formats companies in the Nordics.” Anna Rydin said: “ITV Studios and Elk Production is such a perfect fit. The formats from the ITV, Talpa and Twofour catalogues, the fantastic and growing catalogue at Elk Entertainment and the producers at Elk Production /ITV Studios, give us a unique position and the opportunity to grow in the Swedish market. We are very much looking forward to getting started!” Mike Beale added: “This acquisition enriches our position in the Nordics, an important creative hub. Anna is perfectly positioned to lead the integrated companies and their combined expertise to guide ITVS Sweden through its next stage of growth. I’m looking forward to working with her and our impressive teams across the Nordic region to make the most of our expanded formats portfolio.” The two production companies will integrate in ITV Studios Sweden’s current offices following the Swedish summer break. ENDS Press contact: Mike Large, + 44 (0) 7768 261528 – [email protected] 2 .