Endemol Australia


Endemol Australia was Australia's largest independent television production and distribution group. In 2015, the company was merged with Shine Australia to form Endemol Shine Australia.

History

The company began in 1972 as Hanna-Barbera Pty. Ltd., an Australian division of Hanna-Barbera. In 1974, the Hamlyn Group's Australia division managed by Kevin Weldon acquired 50% of Hanna-Barbera Australia and appointed Neil Balnaves as managing director. In 1978, James Hardie Industries acquired the Hamlyn Group, and in 1979, Balnaves was promoted to managing director of the entire Hamlyn Group.
In 1983, James Hardie Industries and Hanna-Barbera corporate parent Taft Broadcasting reorganized the division as Taft-Hardie Group Pty. Ltd. In 1984, the company established a division in Los Angeles known as Southern Star Productions, headed by Buzz Potamkin. Programs produced by this division would be animated at Hanna-Barbera's studios in Sydney, and carried the name Southern Star/Hanna-Barbera Australia.
In 1988, Neil Balnaves led an A$11 million management buyout of Taft-Hardie, reorganizing the company as Southern Star Group. The Sydney animation facilities were also sold, while the Los Angeles division continued to operate until 1991 when it was sold to Turner Broadcasting System.
In April 2004, the company was acquired by Southern Cross Broadcasting and in 2007, by Fairfax Media.
In January 2009, Endemol acquired Southern Star Factual from Fairfax Media in a transaction worth A$75 million, forming a division known as Endemol Southern Star.
On 11 December 2013, Southern Star announced it would re-brand as Endemol Australia. Chief Executive Officer, Janeen Faithfull, stated "As Endemol Australia we’ll continue to build on the heritage and successes of Southern Star."
On 15 November 2016, Mark and Carl Fennessy were appointed joint CEOs of Endemol Australia as well as its current parent company, Endemol Shine Australia.
The company's popular shows for kids are Bananas in Pyjamas, The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky, Child's Farm, , Gordon the Garden Gnome, Faireez, Classic Tales and The Toothbrush Family.

Programs

Prime-time drama

As Hanna Barbera Pty, Ltd./Taft-Hardie Group Pty, Ltd.