DLT Entertainment Acquires Juniper Productions, Expanding Its Portfolio in Factual Programming

London: 3rd July 2024: DLT Entertainment announces the acquisition of Juniper Productions, marking a significant expansion of its portfolio in the factual programming space. Today’s announcement further enhances DLT's position as a leading independent television production and distribution company.

Juniper Productions, renowned for its high-quality political programming, was founded by Samir Shah, who recently stepped down from the company to take up the prestigious role of BBC Chair. Shah’s leadership at Juniper Productions led to a robust slate of award-winning content, making it a key player in the British television landscape. The acquisition by DLT Entertainment follows Shah’s departure and represents a new chapter for the company as it continues to thrive under new ownership.

Current productions by Juniper include the acclaimed shows Politics London and Politics South East for the BBC, both of which are flagship political programmes offering in-depth analysis and coverage of regional political issues as well as The Political Slot for Channel 4. In a time when politics has taken centre-stage for UK audiences, particularly following the recent election, these programmes have become essential viewing for those seeking to understand the complexities of local and regional governance. Both shows will continue to be produced under the Juniper banner with commissions taking them into 2025.

"We are thrilled to welcome Juniper Productions into the DLT Entertainment family," said Donald Taffner Jr., President of DLT Entertainment. "Samir has built an exceptional company with a remarkable reputation for delivering high-quality content. We have a wonderful benchmark in which to build on this legacy and continue producing outstanding programming that reflects the strengths and values of both DLT and Juniper. We look forward to continuing production of Politics London and Politics South East next year with the same production team making for a seamless transition."/p>

Samir Shah and Belkis Bhegani, founders of Juniper Productions, commented "We are delighted that DLT have taken ownership of Juniper. Donald has a terrific vision for the future of Juniper. And we are sure Juniper will thrive and prosper under his guidance. DLT’s commitment to Juniper’s core values of impartiality, creativity and accountability was important to us and we have no doubt that Juniper will continue to deliver journalism of the highest order"

Jerry Thomas, Series Editor for Politics London, added, "The acquisition by DLT Entertainment opens up new opportunities for us to expand our reach and enhance the quality of our programming. We are eager to work alongside DLT to continue delivering top-tier political coverage to our audiences."

DLT Entertainment, a veteran in the television industry with a history spanning over six decades, is known for its diverse range of productions, including comedy, drama, and factual programming. Other companies within the DLT Entertainment Group include the production company Vera Productions and Marck Watson’s Impatient Productions. Earlier this year, DLT Entertainment announced their investment in voice over company Bedford Square Voices which now sits alongside DLT’s other talent agency investments - The Soho Agency, Blue Book Artist Management, MMB Associates and The Galton Agency. Most recently, DLT expanded its commitment to comedy by sponsoring the best Newcomer and Best Comedy Show at this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

The acquisition of Juniper Productions is effective immediately. Juniper will continue to operate from its Lant Street offices in London, maintaining strong production capabilities and commitment to delivering high-quality content to its audiences.

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Further information:
Nikki Murray, on behalf of DLT Entertainment: nikki.murray@premiercomms.com | +44 (0) 20 7292 5094

NOTES TO EDITORS

About DLT Entertainment:
With headquarters in London and New York, DLT Entertainment Ltd. is engaged in every aspect of television distribution and production around the world, as well as stage production in the US and in the UK where it owns London’s Shaftesbury Theatre and talent representation business, with ownership positions in MMB Creative, The Soho Agency, Blue Book Artist Management, The Galton Agency, Gag Reflex and Mark Watson’s Impatient Productions. Expanding its own production activities in the UK, DLT also acquired Vera Productions.

Founded in 1963 as a distribution company by Don Taffner Sr., the company added television production to its portfolio in 1977. It has enjoyed terrific success in its sixty-one-year history with legendary hits on both sides of the Atlantic including the multiple award-winning and BBC Trust praised sitcom My Family, As Time Goes By, Three's Company, Too Close For Comfort and Meet My Folks. In addition, DLT has built a reputation as a leading distribution company with classics such as The Benny Hill Show, The World At War, Chicken Soup For The Sole, Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood, The Russ Abbot Show, Michel Legrand and Friends, and Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit.

Production activities expanded through an investment in Mark Watson’s Impatient Productions and the acquisition of Vera Productions whose productions include Getting On, Bremner, Bird, and Fortune, and numerous Dispatches.

In 1986 DLT expanded into stage production in the US and in the UK, where it owns and manages London’s Shaftesbury Theatre, the London home of Mrs. Doubtfire, The Musical.

Later, DLT added talent representation to its portfolio with ownership positions in MMB Creative, The Soho Agency, Blue Book Artist Management, The Galton Agency, Bedford Square Voices and Gag Reflex.

2020 saw the creation of an audio division with the release of Very Modern Quests starring Alice Levine for Audible and recently produced Time of the Week for BBC Radio 4/BBC Sounds, created by award-winning comedians Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield and starring BAFTA award-winner Sian Clifford in adition to The Many Wrongs of Lord Christian Brighty starring Christian Brighty, Jessica Knappett, and Colin McFarlane.

DLT has expanded its commitment to comedy by sponsoring this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer and Best Comedy Show awards.