BRUM'S TV MAVERICK SELLS OUT 22-06-2007

Birmingham’s best known independent television production company Maverick has been bought out by London-based All3Media – but that might not be the bad news it appears to be.

All3Media are what’s known in the biz as a “superindie” and there’s been a growing trend in broadcasting for these larger companies to swallow up their smaller rivals.

In their case though, most of the firms they’ve bought out – and they include the companies who make Richard and Judy and Hollyoaks among others – retain a distinct identity.

Digbeth-based Maverick was founded in Brum in 1994 by Johnnie Turpie, and pioneered low-cost digital TV, selling shows such as Trade Secrets.

Although they’ve recently moved into drama production, their traditional strength is in documentaries and makeover shows, ranging from Ghetto Britain to Ten Years Younger to Embarrassing Illnesses to How To Look Good Naked.

The company turned over £8 million last year, and Creative Director Alexandra Fraser commented: "For a company that has been proud of its independence, finding the right creative partnership was key for us.

"We are thrilled to be joining the All3Media group which will help us to realise our ambitions for Maverick.”

Those ambitions are thought to include greater overseas sales of both programmes and formats - which in turn could mean more telly jobs in the West Midlands.

It’s interesting to note, given the current debate about private equity funds, that one of the controversial investment company Permira – which also bought out the AA – has a 51% stake in All3Media.