Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Acquires U.K. Shortform Video Producer ChannelFlip

LONDON – Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Group underlined its commitment to online programming with the acquisition of London-based shortform video specialist ChannelFlip, Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

our editor recommends

Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Group Strikes First Look Deals With Absolutely Independent

Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine Acquires Social Gaming Start-up Bossa Studios

The global program producer behind such shows as Masterchef and The Biggest Loser has acquired the online specialist to boost its ability to produce content for a range of mobile devices.

Founded in 2008 by Justin Gayner and Wil Harris, Channel Flip has worked with the likes of comedians Harry Hill and David Mitchell as well as Top Gear and science TV front man Richard Hammond, on a range of content with an average length of under three minutes long.

The company says it averages “up to 30 million” monthly views and has more than seven million viewers globally.

The company also works with rights holders to license and re-package content for online, including the recent deal with Studio Canal for short form access to 2,500 classic titles from films as diverse as Terminator 2, Spinal Tap, Rambo and the Ealing comedies

“Wil and Justin are true like-minded creative entrepreneurs and we welcome them and their team to Shine Group. They have built ChannelFlip,” Murdoch, the Shine founder and chief executive said.

The existing ChannelFlip team will continue to produce original content for online platforms and bring in-house its expertise at building brand partnerships and online communities.

The acquisition follows Shine’s recent entry into social gaming through its deal to by start-up Bossa Studios, and is part of its drive to develop new direct-to-consumer products for mobile, tablet and online users.