Willkie Advises Tinopolis Group on Acquisition of a Second U.S. Production Company

Tinopolis Group, one of the UK's largest independent media producers and distributors, acquires Burbank-headquartered BASE, a vertically integrated television production company.

On August 8, it was announced that Willkie client Tinopolis Group, one of the UK's largest independent media producers and distributors, has acquired Burbank, California-headquartered BASE, a vertically integrated television production company whose best known programs are Sport Science for ESPN, Known Universe and Fight Science for National Geographic, Police POV for Tru Tv and Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files. The deal marks another significant addition to Tinopolis' portfolio of global television production companies following its June acquisition of Los Angeles-based A. Smith & Co, in a transaction also handled by Willkie.

The acquisition is part of Tinopolis’ diversification and growth strategy and strengthens its already substantial U.S. factual entertainment business. The deal will enable BASE Productions, which will maintain its independence as a production company, to tap into Tinopolis’ worldwide resources with enhanced access to the UK for its non-scripted productions. Tinopolis Group, whose other companies include television production entity Mentorn and sports television producer Sunset + Vine, is backed by private equity firm Vitruvian Partners. The company produces around 1,600 hours of drama, factual, entertainment and sports programming each year for more than 200 broadcasters worldwide.

The deal team, led by partner Robert Langdon, included partners Christopher Peters and William Hiller; special counsel Kim Walker, Michael Jones and Cindy Chernuchin and associates Jordan Messinger, Geri Anne McEvoy, DJ Stauber, Ketan Pastakia, Mia Hayes, Manuel Miranda, Adeline Park, Elizabeth Rich, Christopher Giorgione, Elliot Rishty and Lisa Lopshire.