Discovery acquires 'Freaky Eaters' production company Betty

Discovery Communications has today announced the acquisition of Betty, the UK production company behind Freaky Eaters and The Joy of Teen Sex.

Marking the indie firm's tenth year in operation, Betty has been brought into the Discovery operation, giving it "a global infrastructure and investment to maximise and expand its creative output worldwide".

Founded in 2001 by the former BBC and Channel 4 commissioning editor Liz Warner, Betty produces factual programming for various UK broadcasters, including Freaky Eaters for BBC Three, Dirty Sexy Things for E4 and Channel 4's The Joy of Teen Sex. Freaky Eaters has also been commissioned in the US for two runs by the Discovery-owned TLC.

Under the Discovery agreement, the company will continue to operate independently from its London headquarters, with all the current management team and staff to be retained.

Discovery said that the deal - thought to be worth around £10m, although financial details have not been disclosed - will broaden its programming for lifestyle flagship TLC, which recently surpassed the 100-million household mark in the US. It will also expand the firm's UK operation.

Betty chief executive Liz Warner said: "Creativity and idea generation are the drivers of our business. We are thrilled to do this deal with Discovery which gives us the freedom to be a thriving UK producer and gives Discovery the benefit of our increasing number of formats and series for their international business. It is genuinely exciting to be working with such a successful corporation and to tap into their infrastructure."

Lee Bartlett, the former head of ITV Studios who is now executive vice president of Global Production Management, Business and Legal Affairs for Discovery, added: "We are committed to working with the best creatives in the business, and no question that Betty stands apart.

"This is a global deal, and Discovery looks forward to providing the infrastructure and resources of our global platform of 142 networks in 210 countries to enable Betty to extend their content to our channels in the US and around the world. We are looking forward to Betty infusing our ever-expanding creative pipeline with award-winning storytelling that will be seen on TLC and Discovery's channels around the world."

Media corporate finance firm Clarity and Wiggin solicitors advised the shareholders of Betty on the deal, while HRO Grant Dawe LLP acted on behalf of Discovery.

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