Endemol has acquired a controlling share of Russian production company Weit Media, headed up by one of Russia's most successful producers, Timur Weinstein.

The partnership will see Weit Media become producer of Endemol's scripted and entertainment formats in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Endemol Moscow will operate separately and expand Participation TV, Astrology TV and other interactive business from Russia into CIS and Central and Eastern Europe. Weit Media has already secured 16 local scripted projects, including sitcoms, soap operas and documentary series for leading Russian broadcasters, as well as one full-length animated movie and two feature films.

"Timur Weinstein has a well-earned reputation as one of Russia's most accomplished television producers and Weit Media has already secured significant commissions from broadcasters," says Marina Williams, chief executive officer of Central and Eastern Europe operations at Endemol Group. "This partnership will considerably expand our regional business, establishing Endemol as a major local producer of scripted programming and allowing us to bring production expertise and new opportunities to numerous CIS countries."

"This strategic partnership combines Endemol's global scale, expertise and resources with our experience in the Russian market," adds Weinstein. "This presents a new level of opportunity to Weit Media and strongly positions us for growth."