BBC Studios Productions Australia has announced the acquisition of independent production company Werner Film Productions.
Werner Film Productions specialises in the development of original drama series including The Newsreader for ABC, which was also broadcast on the BBC, and Surviving Summer for Netflix.
The deal will provide Werner Film Productions with the backing to grow its production of drama series for Australian and global audiences.
Werner Film Productions will continue to be led by company director Joanna Werner and managing director Stuart Menzies and will operate alongside BBC Studios’ local production arm as an independent label, with both companies producing their own projects.
This model replicates the way that BBC Studios works with many of its other production labels and invested indies in the UK and globally.
Werner Film Productions is currently in production on the third series of The Newsreader which has won multiple awards, including 10 AACTAs and two Logies. It ranked fourth in Variety’s list of the best international TV shows of 2022 while teen surfing drama Surviving Summer’s second series spent two weeks in Netflix’s global top 10.
Matt Forde, managing director, global entertainment at BBC Studios Productions said that Werner Film Production’s creativity has seen the business carve out a place as one of the most talented and interesting scripted companies in the world.
“The Newsreader has been a massive hit on the BBC in the UK with viewers and critics alike, as well as internationally,” he said. “I’m excited by the projects they have in development and the opportunity for BBC Studios to support the slate they are building.”
Earlier this month, BBC Studios appointed independent marketing consultancy Mindbox to support the growth of its branded services and content across Asia.
The Sydney-based independent marketing consultancy will be tasked with analysing and leveraging key behavioural insights to drive customer acquisition, diversified viewership and retention across its Pay TV and OTT services starting next month.
See also: BBC Studios appoints marketing consultancy Mindbox to support growth across Asia