News 2006

RDF has acquired leading independent children’s producer The Foundation TV Productions (“Foundation”). The acquisition of Foundation, producer of The Basil Brush Show, is an important development in RDF’s strategy to extend group activities further into children’s and family entertainment. Nigel Pickard, RDF Television’s Director of Family Entertainment (and formerly ITV Director of Programmes and CBBC Controller), will work closely with Foundation to develop new shows for UK and overseas broadcasters.

Foundation is a regional independent producer based at The Maidstone Studios, Kent and was established by Vanessa Hill and Ged Allen in 1994. It is one of the UK’s leading children’s television producers, with expertise in pre-school, drama, comedy, factual and family entertainment. Foundation has produced content for a variety of broadcasters. Shows include the BAFTA nominated programmes: Ministry of Mayhem, Globo Loco, You Can Do Magic and Brilliant Creatures. Other shows include The Basil Brush Show, Eureka TV, Holly and Stephen’s Saturday Showdown, Let’s Roll, Finders Keepers, Tricky TV and Finger Tips (which also won the Prix Jeunesse). Foundation is currently in production on commissions from both the BBC and ITV.

Nigel Pickard commented, “We are delighted to welcome Foundation to RDF. Vanessa and Ged have a prolific track record as producers and we are looking forward to working together to develop RDF’s activities in family entertainment.”

Vanessa Hill, Co-Managing Director of Foundation added, “We have known Nigel Pickard for many years and feel strongly that our business will be even more successful when combined with the creative support and distribution expertise associated with RDF.”

David Frank, Chief Executive, RDF said, “Foundation is a high quality profitable producer, managed by talented creatives. This deal extends our content capacity into a new genre, children’s programming. When RDF floated in May 2005 we said we would grow and broaden the range of content we produce and we’re delighted we’re doing exactly that. I’m looking forward to working with the Foundation management team to create valuable content rights and to exploiting those rights worldwide through RDF Rights.”