BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) has bought an undisclosed stake in South African prodco Rapid Blue citing its growing interest in African video production and its need to meet local demand.
Based in Johannesburg, Rapid Blue was founded in 1993 and has produced TV content such as Don’t Forget the Lyrics, GBam and local versions of The X Factor, So You Think You Can Dance, Dragons’ Den, Pawn Stars and Lion’s Trail.
Rapid Blue and BBCWW are not new to each other. The firms have together worked on Award-winning series as Strictly Come Dancing, The Weakest Link and Come Dine with Me South Africa and the Great South African Bake Off.
According to Grant Welland, executive VP of CEMA at BBC Worldwide, in a statement, “With BBC Worldwide’s enviable formats catalog and our combined knowledge and expertise, this agreement will enable us to provide content solutions for broadcasters across the continent, positioning us as the destination for quality television production in Africa.”
Rapid Blue and BBCWW will contimue being partners to produce and distribute content in South Africa, Nigeria and Angola where the firm has operations. The deal also gives Rpaid Blue amazing new development opportunities, skills and opens up new markets for it!
