AUCKLAND and TORONTO – International producer, distributor and channel operator, Blue Ant Media said today it is selling control of its New Zealand-based, international factual production company, NHNZ to Dame Julie Christie (above).
Blue Ant will retain a “significant minority interest” and work with Christie, who will be CEO of NHNZ Worldwide, in a new partnership. The production company will continue to be based in Dunedin, NZ. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Blue Ant Media will continue to own NHNZ’s existing catalogue of series and documentaries and Sam Sniderman, Blue Ant’s co-president, global content production, has joined NHNZ Worldwide’s board of directors, too.
“NHNZ has achieved a great deal of success and is celebrated as one of the most respected natural history and factual production houses in the world. I’m very excited to now be a part of this company,” said Christie. “I love the documentary and natural history genres, and while they will continue to be the backbone of our production business, I am excited to build a slate of projects in other categories, as we expand into other production hubs around the world.”
“Dame Julie is not only an internationally-successful, unscripted television producer, but also an established and influential leader in New Zealand in both the public and private spheres. Her expertise and business acumen will serve NHNZ Worldwide well as she builds upon the production company’s 40 year legacy and paves the way to future growth,” said Sniderman, in the release.
