Werner Film Productions, the company behind the Australian drama hit ‘The Newsreader’, was, on Monday, acquired by BBC Studios. BBC Studios Productions Australia made the deal for an undisclosed amount for Warner. This marked the latest in several high-profile deals for the BBC’s commercial division.
Last month, it paid £255M ($325M) for ITV’s share in their streamer, BritBox International.
The Werner agreement is touted as a “substantial investment” in Australia’s production framework, arriving shortly after BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell announced the BBC’s increase in its debt facility to £600 million, aiming to bolster investments in new ventures and achieve a twofold expansion by 2027/28.
“I’m excited to welcome Werner Film Productions into the family,” said Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director of BBC Studios Productions Australia.
“Australia has an incredibly vibrant creative community and is producing shows that resonate around the world so it’s a great time to invest further to support our local production industry,” he added.
In recent years, Australia has experienced a surge of success, exemplified by Colin From Accounts gaining international acclaim, alongside TV projects from the country attracting attention from prominent platforms like Roku, The CW, and Lionsgate.
“Jo and Stuart are amongst the best in the business and have a great track record in producing smart, entertaining and engaging dramas that speak to international audiences while remaining quintessentially Aussie,” added Washington.
“Their commitment to growing a sustainable industry and nurturing new talent aligns exactly with our values making them a fantastic addition to BBC Studios’ stable of independent labels,” he added.
Jo Werner added: “We are absolutely thrilled to join the global powerhouse BBC Studios and the brilliant team at BBC Studios Productions Australia. Working with BBC Studios will help us continue to tell Australian stories on a larger canvas for audiences here and around the world.”
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