Murdoch Invests In Daughter’s Shine
BSkyB the UK Satellite caster has reportedly increased its stake in Shine Group to 11.3% for an undisclosed sum. The deal has reportedly increased Sky’s shareholding from 2.88% to 11.3%.
Shine was founded by Elisabeth Murdoch shortly after she stepped down as MD of Sky Networks in 2000. It is thought that Sky, owned by Murdoch’s father Rupert, has held a stake for some time. Following acquisitive activity, Shine is now one of the largest UK indies and has been valued at up to £250m (US$500m).
Shine Ltd is an integrated media company that, through its subsidiaries, carries out film and television production, brand marketing and rights expoitation.
Shine TV and Films makes a range of programmes for UK, US and international broadcasters. The company conducts drama, entertainment, factual, features and format entertainment programming and has been involved in programmes such as Channel 4’s “100 Greatest…” series, BBC 2’s Masterchef Goes Large and Channel 4’s drama series Sugar Rush. The company aims to be a dynamic, creative and trustworthy supplier of franchise television to all buyers and strives to create television that will reach the audience in multiple ways, through interactive communcations, books, music or DVDs.
Shine’s brand marketing and venture programming company, Shine:M, is a joint venture between Shine and WPP. It is intended to bring together the TV and film activities of Shine and the media capabilities of WPP’s media investment management companies. Clients will be able to create, own and commercially exploit their own television formats through distribution, marketing, licensing and retailing.
Shine aims to benefit from and capitalise on its management team’s knowledge, expertise and contacts within the media industry.
