Endemol Boosts Digital Production Capacity With 25 Percent Stake In MoMedia

Independent TV production company Endemol (Euronext: EML) has bought a 25 percent stake in London-based mobile and IPTV entertainment producer MoMedia. Terms were not disclosed. Endemol, which is one of Europe’s most influential production outfits with the likes of Big Brother and Deal Or No Deal under its belt, has seen its own mobile strategy stutter. It announced the creation of a mobile division in 2005 and was due to roll out two mobile channels but has now scaled that back to one, due later this year, citing greater demand in fixed-line broadband. Founded in 2005, MoMedia content, though not limited to mobile, includes short video clips shows, greetings cards services and horoscopes, so Endemol will quickly be getting increased handheld capacity; the company has produced content for the likes of AOL, Microsoft, 3 and T-Mobile. Endemol UK’s digital media MD Peter Cowley will join the MoMedia board. This is the latest investment from a £15 million ($30 million) fund Endemol set up last year to invest in mobile, broadband, IPTV and VOD.