European production firm Endemol is close to placing their assets for sale, with the likely purchaser to be US firm Time Warner. Big Brother, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and the hit
Deal Or No Deal are just some of the franchises developed and owned by Endemol.
The secret to Endemol's success lay equally in its cutting edge shows and it's ability to effectively market internationally. Currently, Spanish telecom firm Telefonica owns controlling shares; Endemol execs are quick to point out, however, that the plan to sell out the company’s assets is emerging from the advice of their broker and there is no timetable in place.
The company, which is based in the Netherlands, is planning to begin meetings with private equity firms this week.