Broadcaster Sky has taken a majority stake in the producer of hit BBC show, the Great British Bake-off.
BSkyB has bought 70% of Love Productions, a UK-based independent production company founded in 2004 by Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie.
Sky said the firm will continue to operate as a separate company and will carry on producing programmes for other broadcasters, with current agreements with other broadcasters and distributors remaining unchanged. Mr McKerrow and Ms Beattie will continue running the company, Sky said.
Sophie Turner Laing, Managing Director of Content for Sky said: “This is a significant step for our growing international content business.
“Love is one of the UK’s most innovative and creative independent producers with a track record of success across a range of genres, both in the UK and globally.
“Led by Richard and Anna, Love has a hugely talented team with exciting plans for the future. We are really looking forward to supporting them as they build on their relationships with different broadcasters throughout the industry and helping them to grow the business”.
In a statement, Mr McKerrow and Ms Beattie, said:
“We are extremely excited by the prospect of a partnership with Sky. We feel it’s the perfect time to be working with a group who can help us realise our creative and commercial potential and fulfil all of our international ambitions for the Love brand.
“Love has always sought to be a pioneering company, launching new ideas and breaking new ground. Sky feels like a company of the future, full of dynamic and extremely creative leaders who will back our independent spirit and are keen to support all our future ambitions.”
Love Productions, which has bases in London, Bristol, New York and Los Angeles, has also produced documentaries including the controversial Benefits Street for Channel 4.