Saturn's CEO Mark Hiley and Head of Strategy, Mark Call, have completed the purchase of one of the industry's best known names, Rapido Television.

Rapido Television is one of the planet's best known TV producers, distributing its programmes to more than seventy countries, worldwide. The BAFTA-winning company boasts a library of more than 70 popular television shows including 16 series' of Eurotrash, Passengers, Fortean TV and Baadaas TV.

Rapido is responsible for launching names like Graham Norton (Carnal Knowledge, Unzipped, Rock Babylon, Pride Divide), Johnny Vaughan (Naked City, Here's Johnny), and Sarah Cox (The Girlie Show). Its large number of sought-after documentaries range from Look at Lolo (the compelling story of the late Lolo Ferrari), to The Reluctant Goddess (the Brigitte Bardot story). Numerous educational productions include the BAFTA-winning Eddie Izzard French-learning series, Channel Hopping, and The Write Stuff. Rapido is best known for its unique style of cutting-edge entertainment, reflecting global demand for its programmes, and the use of material from its 30,000-tape web-searchable clip library.

Current transmissions include Eurotrash on Channel 4, Passengers on E4 and Around the World in 80 Raves on Sky. Rapdio is now completing Eurotrash Series 16, due for broadcast in 2005.

The company was previously owned by Virgin Media Group (50%), founder/CEO, Peter Stuart, and presenter, Antione de Caune. A conflict between Stuart and Virgin Media reflected Stuart’s departure, and a three-year corporate decline leading to the sale. A loss of direction saw the recent company name-change to Planet Rapido.com, and a concentration on multi-media activities.

Under the new ownership structure, the company will enjoy new investment and the board will include Mark Hiley, Mark Call and former Rapido CEO, Peter Stuart. Whilst the company will continue business-as-usual, there will be an official relaunch of Rapido Television later in 2004.

Links:

www.rapidotelevision.com