Carlton Acquires Planet 24

Carlton Communications today has announced the acquisition of Bob Geldof’s production company, Planet 24. The deal is estimated to be worth around £15 million.

Carlton’s other television businesses include Carlton Television and Action Time, and the group also owns the ITV franchises Central and West Country and 20% of GMTV, as well as having a 50% stake in ONdigital. The group makes programmes for ITV, the BBC, Channel 4 and a range of digital, cable and satellite channels. Carlton plans to develop Planet 24 as a major supplier of programming to ITV and other British and international TV channels.

Planet 24, which is perhaps best known for its programme The Big Breakfast, currently employs 250 people. Its terrestrial output alone is 600 hours of programming a year. The acquisition will see Waheed Ali – Planet 24’s managing director, join the Carlton Television board in April as managing director of Carlton Productions.

Ali commented: “Planet 24 will fit perfectly with Carlton and I am particularly excited about taking on this new role. With the backing of the largest player in ITV and the UK’s leading commercial international programmes sales business outside the BBC, the opportunities ahead are boundless.”

Carlton: 0171 663 6363 Planet 24: 0171 712 9300