Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 4, 2022. Posted in General Interest

Studio Babelsberg acquisition completed by TPG Real Estate Partners

TPG Real Estate Partners – otherwise known as TREP – has unveiled its acquisition of Germany’s Studio Babelsberg. TREP is the dedicated real estate equity investment platform of alternative asset firm TPG, and Studio Babelsberg is the oldest large-scale film studio complex in the world. Dr. Carl L. Woebcken and Mr. Christoph Fisser (CEO and COO of Studio Babelsberg, respectively) are set to maintain a minority stake in the business.

“We are excited to announce a successful completion of the transaction, and to welcome TREP as Studio Babelsberg’s new partner,” announced Dr. Woebcken and Mr. Fisser. “The team values our rich history and brings significant insight and business building capabilities to Studio Babelsberg’s next chapter. We look forward to working together to further solidify our position as Europe’s premier studio.”

TREP has bought a stake in Studio Babelsberg via acquisition of the company’s main shareholder, Filmbetriebe Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (FBB). As part of the agreement, FBB (which was previously controlled by Mr. Woebcken and Mr. Fisser) launched a public tender offer to acquire a majority of the shares in Studio Babelsberg, presenting EUR4.10 per Studio Babelsberg share.

“Across the globe, Studio Babelsberg is known for its quality and as a symbol of Berlin’s and Brandenburg’s creative culture,” declared Michael Abel, Partner at TREP. “With Studio Babelsberg, we saw an opportunity to invest behind a leading studio facility that is well positioned to benefit from secular growth trends in media and content consumption. We support the company’s strategy and direction and look forward to growing the business.”

With the transaction now finalised, Studio Babelsberg has become part of TREP’s global studio platform, Cinespace Studios. Cinespace is the second largest sound stage operator in North America, and will now operate 90 stages thanks to the new deal. The acquisition of Studio Babelsberg furthers the platform’s strategy of create a best-in-class studio platform for premier content makers across the globe.

While Studio Babelsberg will continue to operate as an independent brand, the organisation is also set to benefit from the resources and networks provided by its new partnership with Cinespace's global platform. Located on the leafy outskirts of Berlin in the Potsdam-Babelsberg region, Studio Babelsberg has a long history of hosting world-leading content production, including Inglourious Basterds, V for Vendetta, Bridge of Spies and recently The Matrix Resurrections, as well as recent German-language series Dark, Babylon Berlin and 1899.