Motive Television plc has bought a 75 per cent shareholding in Manchester-based production company Scarlet Television. The stake was sold by Medal Entertainment & Media’s administrator for £50,000.

Motive Television plc has bought a 75 per cent shareholding in Manchester-based production company Scarlet Television. The stake was sold by Medal Entertainment & Media’s administrator for £50,000.

The balance will be held by its founder and managing director, Paula Trafford, who has joined Motive’s board. Following the transaction, Motive has agreed to transfer some of its shares to Trafford, giving her a 49.4 per cent shareholding.

Trafford was advised by a team at Simkins, led by media partner Nigel Bennett and corporate associate Leonora Twynam.

Bennett said the firm was approached to work on the deal due to its experience of advising on transactions involving television companies. “Since Scarlet’s majority shareholder was in administration it was necessary to complete the transaction very quickly, so industry knowledge was vital.”