Endemol buys Australian Southern Star

The Dutch company behind Big Brother, Endemol, has bought Australian company Southern Star which owns the international distribution rights to Home And Away, Blue Hellers and Wire in the Blood.

Endemol, the Dutch company behind Big Brother, has bought the Australian company Southern Star, the company owns international distribution rights for Australian shows drama’s such as Water Rats, Blue Hellers and long running soap Home and Away. The company also owns the distribution rights to ITV’s thriller drama series Wire in the Blood, which stars Robson Green. This move gives means that Endemol, which so far has specialised in factual, entertainment and reality television, now has more of a presence in drama production and distribution as well.

Southern Star was placed on the market by its parent company Fairfax Media, Australia’s largest media group, last year. The UK arm of Southern Star, which mainly produces wildlife programmes is not included in the buyout and will remain part of Fairfax. FrantleMedia, producers of The Bill, were said to be interested in Southern Star as was BBC Worldwide.