Endemol, the television company behind Big Brother, has acquired Southern Star Group, Australia’s largest independent TV production and distribution company, in a deal understood to be worth A$75 million (£35.5 million).

Endemol, the television company behind Big Brother, has acquired Southern Star Group, Australia’s largest independent TV production and distribution company, in a deal understood to be worth A$75 million (£35.5 million).

Southern Star is one of the largest distributors of English language film and television programming in the world, selling to more than 200 countries with a library of over 14,000 hours of television programming.

The rationale behind the deal is to strengthen Endemol’s position as a production force in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Ynon Kriz, chairman and CEO of Endemol Group, said: “The acquisition builds on our global distribution platform and accelerates the expansion of our scripted programming activities.”

The transaction is conditional on obtaining regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in the third quarter of the year.