Mark Burnett, the British-born television producer behind reality hits such as Survivor, The Apprentice, The Contender and Expedition Africa, has formed a 50 / 50 media, production and events-based joint venture with Hearst Corporation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hearst has acquired a “substantial’ stake in Burnett’s existing production business.
Hearst Corporation was founded by the late newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is now one of the largest diversified communications companies in the world. One of its subsidiaries is Hearst Television Inc. which has 29 television stations.
The Burnett / Hearst global venture will focus on “media content, producing events around the content and spinning off television shows and other programming for new and emerging platforms based on Hearst brands’. Burnett’s domestic and international production business will also be expanded. Excluded from the venture are Survivor and The Apprentice.
