The X Factor producer now owns 80% of the Canadian developer of spin-off video games
The X Factor producer, Fremantle Media, has increased its stake in Ludia to become the majority shareholder in the Canadian developer of spin-off video games for TV shows including the Price Is Right and American Idol.
Fremantle Media, the production, distribution and rights arm of the pan-European broadcaster RTL, has acquired 51% of Ludia, taking its overall stake to 80%.
Ludia, which has about 100 employees, has made a range of interactive products and games, such as PC, iPhone and iPad applications, for TV franchises including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Hell's Kitchen.
"Interactive gaming is an important way for Fremantle Media to diversify and this will increase our expertise and capability in this area, allowing both companies to develop even more successful consumer-facing entertainment across multiple platforms," said Tony Cohen, chief executive of Fremantle Media.
Under the terms of the deal, Alex Thabet, founder and president of Ludia, and the rest of the company's existing management team will stay with the company following the takeover by Fremantle Media.
This month Fremantle Media also took a majority stake in the US-based branded programming producer @radical.media.
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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/18/fremantle-ludia
