BBC Studios has bought Inside the Factory producer Voltage TV.
The deal to buy 100% of an indie outright – a first for the BBC’s commercial arm – includes the 25% stake owned by Channel 4. Voltage will exit the broadcaster’s Growth Fund.
Set up by Sanjay Singhal and Steve Name in 2013, Voltage has an established distribution partnership with BBC Studios, which sells shows such as ITV’s DNA Journey internationally.
Singhal, who started as a BBC trainee 30 years ago said the corporation remains “world-beating”.
He added: “I’m delighted that Voltage has found a home in an organisation that champions risk-taking and shares the huge creative ambition we have in the coming years.”
Nam added: “When BBC Studios approached us it just felt a natural fit, and I’m a firm believer in gut instinct. Our distribution relationship with BBC Studios dates back to the launch of Voltage and we look forward to continuing to flourish through their impressive global reach.”
BBC Studios typically takes a minority stake in indies, taking control after a few years, but chief executive Ralph Lee said he wanted to step in quickly when the opportunity arose to buy Voltage.
“The breadth and quality of their slate is a perfect complement to BBC Studios Productions factual entertainment and factual brands,” he said.
Voltage’s current slate includes Amazon doc The Fake Sheikh and Channel 4/Roku reality format Tempting Fortune.
It is also working up its first scripted feature as a co-producer with Lighthouse Film and TV on Scoop, which tells the story of Prince Andrew’s Newsnight interview.
