RDF Media Confirms Talks To Buy The Comedy Unit

Independent production company RDF Media has confirmed it is in talks to buy Scottish firm The Comedy Unit, according to a London news source.
The RDF Media Group is a group of companies that creates, acquires and distributes compelling television content, mainly in the factual, entertainment, drama and children's programming genres. The Group seeks to maximise the worldwide commercial value of this intellectual property through its rights exploitation division.
RDF, which makes Faking It and Shipwrecked is reported to be close to completing a £10 million deal for the company.
RDF said in a statement: "RDF confirms that it is in discussions with The Comedy Unit and will update shareholders further in due course."
The Comedy Unit, which is one of Scotland's best known production houses, is currently making a children's sketch show pilot for Channel 4 and a reality comedy show for BBC1 Scotland.
If a successful acquisition ensues The Comedy Unit would be its second Scottish buy-up, sitting alongside IWC, which is part-owned by BBC presenter Kirsty Wark.
RDF has itself become an attractive option for investors, with Big Brother creator John de Mol increasing his stake to 16.1%.
The Comedy Unit was founded 10 years ago by former BBC Scotland producers April Chamberlain and Colin Gilbert.
The Comedy Unit makes sitcoms, sketch shows, comedy quiz shows, entertainment programmes, children's comedy programmes and short films.
(DS)