BBCS focuses on international mergers and acquisitions and reality TV expansion.
BBC Studios, under the leadership of Chief Executive Tom Fussell, is setting its sights on expanding its global presence by acquiring production companies outside of the UK. Fussell highlighted the company’s ambitious long-term mandate during a recent event in London, emphasizing the importance of investing in shows and talent to drive revenues and push into reality and fact-entertainment genres.
In recent years, BBC Studios has increased its investment activities significantly, with its debt facility raised to £600m in 2024. The company has made strategic acquisitions such as taking full control of streamer BritBox, as well as acquiring Werner Film in Australia and Brutal Media in Spain. Fussell underscored the importance of growing the studio’s international footprint, indicating that further expansion is in the works.
While Fussell did not disclose specific countries of interest for acquisitions, BBCS Productions’ Chief Executive and Chief Creative Officer Zai Bennett hinted that the focus would likely be on unscripted content, with investments in talent being a priority in the scripted sector. Bennett stressed the importance of supporting creatives and ensuring that existing companies have the necessary resources to thrive. He noted that the company’s scripted slate already covers a diverse range of content, with potential growth opportunities in entertainment genres like reality and fact-entertainment.
To achieve its revenue target of £3.2bn by 2028, BBC Studios is exploring new growth areas, leveraging successful properties such as Clerkenwell’s Baby Reindeer, House Productions’ movie Conclave, and the popular kids’ animation series Bluey. Key launches like Walking With Dinosaurs and Wild Cherry are being showcased to potential buyers at events like Showcase, where BBC Studios unveiled a life-size replica of a Spinosaurus dinosaur skull.
Fussell emphasized that BBC Studios is focused on long-term growth and creativity, distinct from competitors with shorter-term mandates. He highlighted the company’s commitment to investing for the future, pointing to partnerships like BritBox and UKTV as examples of playing the long game. Bennett echoed this sentiment, underlining the studio’s dedication to maintaining creative momentum and having a diverse range of scripted content to cater to different audiences and markets.
With a vertically integrated studio model, BBC Studios has the flexibility to explore various avenues for content creation and distribution. Bennett emphasized that scripted shows are tailored to different platforms and audiences, with strategic decisions made based on potential market opportunities. By investing in talent, nurturing creatives, and strategically positioning its content across multiple platforms, BBC Studios aims to solidify its position as a global leader in the production and distribution of high-quality programming.
