The Norwegian TV executive has sold part of his company to US veteran Michael Jay Solomon of Digital Content International (DCI) in a move to merge the Nordic and US operations.

Fully-owned by Huseby following an MBO in June 2016 from previous owner TV 2 Norway, the world distributor NordicWorld represents a wide range of TV dramas, formats and documentaries from Nordic broadcasters TV4 Sweden, NRK, TV2 Norway, TV2 Denmark and MTV3 Finland, as well as external pick ups.

The US media pioneer Solomon has headed prominent companies and brands such as Telepictures Corporation in the late 70s, Lorimar in the 80s, HBO Ole (now HBO Latin America), he co-founded SF Succe (the first satellite-delivered station in Scandinavia), Amitraj/Solomon in India and created most recently the digital platform for family and faith content Truli Media Group.

According to the statement published yesterday in Oslo and Los Angeles, Solomon has acquired a ‘significant’ stake in NordicWorld to become a major independent content aggregator, while the Scandinavian distribution company will gain a ‘much increased international footprint via DCI’s global distribution network and strategic worldwide alliances'. The acquisition agreement was brokered by Stockholm-based Involvy AB, headed by TV Norge founder Ola Steinsrud, and Xavier Ritort, co-founder of MagineTV.

NordicWorld will keep its Oslo headquarters, and its executives will work with DCI’s sales and acquisition team, operating between Europe, Australasia, China, Africa and Latin America. A planned production unit in Los Angeles will handle the companies’ various projects.

Solomon said: “The old world, where audiences’ choice was limited to local programming and exports from the USA, is gone. Accelerated adoption of digital consumption and the growth of OTT channels gives global audiences more programming alternatives. It is therefore crucial for a global player like DCI to partner with companies that have built a strong local foothold but also have the talent, ability and ambition to create content the whole world can enjoy.  DCI has found in Espen and NordicWorld exactly such partner. We couldn’t be more excited as we look forward to a bright, expansive and successful future together.”

Huseby said: “The arrival of Michael Jay Solomon as partner to NordicWorld will bring us huge entertainment business acumen and entrepreneurial experience that will be instrumental in pushing the company into the next phase of growth. The deal will ensure our continued investment in new content and considerably develop the business worldwide as partner of DCI's global network. DCI has immediate access and established relationships with both Hollywood Studios and independent content providers all over the world”.

At the last MIPCOM in Cannes, Huseby pitched the format of the Norwegian show Maniac (Rubicon TV), currently being filmed in New York by Cary Fukunaga as a US remake for Netflix. The streaming giant also acquired the Norwegian show Norsemen season 1.

Season 2 of the cross between Game of Thrones and Monty Python will air on NRK1 this Friday at 22.25, and a third season has been commissioned. NordicWorld also pitched season 2 of the Swedish show Small Time Love/Ack Värmland (10X22’) directed by Ulf Malmros that just premiered on TV4 on October 20, and Summer with the in-Laws Seasons 1&2 (Sommaren med släkten). Both series are produced by Bob Film Sweden.