Endemol, the Dutch production company behind global phenomenon Big Brother, is looking to set up a permanent base in the US.
Endemol chairman and chief executive officer, John de Mol, is currently in the US with a number of Endemol acquisition executives, talking to several medium-sized production houses about acquisitions.
Endemol spokesman, Thomas Notermans, confirmed that Endemol would buy into an established firm, but suggested that it would be more of a strategic stake rather than an outright 100% acquisition. He declined to say whether or not Evolution, the production house Endemol worked with on Big Brother USA, was one of the companies it was talking to.
"Business is going well for us. We're selling over in the US but we recognise that we need production capacity to make headway in the market," said Notermans, pointing out that it was a logical move for the company to make.
An announcement is expected shortly about which company Endemol will partner and who will run the new company.
Meanwhile, Endemol this week announced the appointment of Ronald Goes as chief operating officer of Endemol Entertainment, who joins on January 1.
Goes, who is one of the founders of SBS Broadcasting, is to be responsible for all TV operating offshoots within the Endemol group.
