Endemol takes minority stake in Ensemble Entertainment

Endemol has taken a minority stake in Ensemble Entertainment, the production company co-founded by the award-winning director of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's second world war drama series The Pacific, to boost its clout in the US market. The Dutch producer, best-known for entertainment shows such as Deal or No Deal and Big Brother, said the deal was part of a strategy to develop its scripted TV business in the US market. The deal includes a long-term co-production and international distribution partnership that it says will make Ensemble a "leading independent event television production company". Endemol did not reveal how much it paid or what size stake it has taken in Ensemble. Ensemble co-founder Tony To has won a slew of Emmys and Golden Globes for productions including Band of Brothers and The Pacific, the latter of which aired first on HBO earlier this year and also on Sky Movies Premiere in the UK . Ensemble's focus will be on formats with "universal themes that will entertain a global audience, creating lasting brand value for its broadcast partners". • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".