NEP Group Purchases NZ Live

NEP Group has purchased New Zealand's NZ Live, an independent, outside broadcast (OB) and studio provider.

The acquisition is NEP's first in the New Zealand broadcasting market.

NZ Live provides 24/7 multi-channel playout, outside broadcasting and studio production services to several clients throughout the region, operating four television studios and two outside broadcast mobile units. NZ Live will be rebranded as NEP and work closely with the company's NEP Australia division.

"We are excited to bring the wealth of knowledge of NZ Lives leadership team and the companys talented staff into the NEP Worldwide Network," said Soames Treffry, President of NEP Australia. "This acquisition gives us ready access to the entire New Zealand broadcasting market and an opportunity to work directly with New Zealand's broadcasters and national sporting organisations. The NZ Live operations centre, outside broadcasting vehicles, studios and playout facilities are simply fantastic."

NZ Live's current owners Ray Standidge, Tony Parton and Roger Randle will stay on as part of the business for two years, while Oliver Pitkin continues in his role as General Manager reporting to Soames Treffry, President of NEP Australia.

"The television and media industry is changing rapidly, especially in the areas of live production, remote capture and delivery of sporting, news and entertainment events across multiple platforms," said Ray Standidge, Director, NZ Live. "New Zealand has historically been its own market with distinct ways of doing business. As part of NEP, we enhance our local know-how with immediate access to the latest international sports broadcasting trends and distribution models. That means we'll provide clients with a much broader array of services from the worlds industry leader.

"NEP has the vision, experience and resources to deliver world-class, live sports and programming to any New Zealand sporting organisation, broadcaster or rights holder. It's a great business and good cultural fit for everyone."

www.nepgroup.com