BBC Studios is expanding its presence in Benelux by creating a local production base and the launch of a dedicated development team.
With local production of the Dutch Bake-Off brand already underway for broadcaster Omroep MAX, in collaboration with Villain Studios, the new BBC Studios Benelux Productions is also investing in development capabilities to identify and develop original IP, adapt international formats, and create opportunities with creative talent, producers, broadcasters and platforms across the region.
The expanded Benelux operation will work closely with BBC Studios’ Global Content teams and international creative network, while remaining rooted in the local market.
The operation is headed up by Fiona Wassenberg who will now build a local team of creatives. Wassenberg joined BBC Studios as Head of BBC Studios Benelux Productions in October 2022 and has led its growth ever since. Before joining BBC Studios, she spent nearly 16 years at Dutch public broadcaster Omroep MAX, most recently as commissioning editor and content acquisitions, with editorial responsibility for content across NPO1, NPO2 and ZAPP including local versions of Four in a Bed, Four Rooms and The Great Bake Off.
The investment forms part of BBC Studios’ Global Productions’ broader international growth strategy. Since 2023, the company has continued to build its presence across the Nordics, Spain and Australia, including through the acquisition of Scandinavian production company STV, which became BBC Studios Nordic Productions, as well as the acquisition of Brutal Media in Spain and further growth in Australia with Werner Film Productions. With the addition of Benelux Productions, BBC Studios now has 9 global production bases outside of the UK.
Fiona Wassenberg, Head of BBC Studios Benelux Productions, said: “This is an exciting moment for BBC Studios Benelux as we continue to expand our footprint across the region. The Benelux is home to exceptional creative talent, and we are excited to invest in building a local team that will be at the heart of a hub where great ideas can originate or be co-developed with independent talent and production companies. Alongside our growing production activities, we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Omroep MAX as we take on production of the local Bake Off formats, building on the long-standing success in the Netherlands.”
Jacob De Boer, EVP Global Productions, said: “We’re thrilled to see BBC Studios Benelux enter this next phase of growth. Establishing a local production base alongside a dedicated development team strengthens our international production network and gives us an even greater ability to work with the exceptional creative talent and production companies across the region.
“This is an important part of our wider international strategy: building strong local businesses that are rooted in their markets while connected to the scale, expertise and opportunities of BBC Studios Global Productions. Benelux adds another important creative hub to that network, creating new opportunities to source, develop and produce distinctive formats for audiences both in the region and around the world.”
Jon Creamer
Share this story
