U.K. Broadcaster ITV Snaps Up Finnish Production Banner Tarinatalo

LONDON – U.K. commercial broadcaster ITV, listed on the stock exchange, is expanding its Scandinavian business interests with the acquisition of Finnish producer Tarinatalo.

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Tarinatalo, founded in 1997, specializes in factual entertainment, reality and lifestyle programming.

It was also involved in co-producing the 2007 Eurovision song contest, which was held in Helsinki where the company is based.

The company's upcoming output includes pilot game show What Was That? and long-running local show Antiques, Antiques on YLE TV1 and the new series of Dragon’s Den on Nelonen.

ITV said the deal is part of its plan to "build a strong international content business" and follows the unit's acquisition of Norwegian indie Mediacircus.

ITV Studios already has a base in Sweden with a production footprint in three of the Nordic countries.

Financial details were not released for the acquisition.

ITV Studios International managing director and president and CEO ITV Studios America Paul Buccieri described Tarinatalo as "a terrific fit as we progress with growing our business globally."

Said Buccieri: "It [Tarinatalo] not only has a wonderful portfolio of hit shows but also has a huge number of great ideas in development as well."

The Tarinatalo team will become part of ITV Studios Nordic, headed by CEO Hans Engholm.

"During its 15 year history, Tarinatalo has grown into one of the most interesting, creative production companies in Finland. And just like Mediacircus, our recent Norwegian acquisition, Tarinatalo has experience in creating and selling formats for the international market which is important for us as we move towards our goal of building a strong creative business," Engholm said.

Tarinatalo CEO Aram Aflatuni added: "We were very keen to join forces with ITV because of its exciting plan to create a Nordic creative hub with talented producers in both Sweden and Norway. It is also a wonderful opportunity for us as Finnish TV makers to sit at the same table as talented British, American and Nordic colleagues to come up with strong new ideas."