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By Michael Schneider
VARIETY

Zodiak Entertainment has finalized its long-expected acquisition of RDF Media Group.

The purchase, valued at more than $200 million, puts Zodiak firmly in the position as one of the world’s largest indie production companies. It also gives Zodiak a strong foothold into the U.S. TV marketplace, where RDF produces series such as “Wife Swap” and “Secret Millionaire.”

As part of the purchase, RDF CEO David Frank will now serve as the CEO of Zodiak Entertainment. Zodiak chairman/CEO Lorenzo Pellidoli, who also serves as CEO of De Agostini Group, is now chairman of the newly expanded company.

“With the acquisition of RDF Media Group the consolidation process of Zodiak is completed,” Pellicioli said." Zodiak, with its strong international footprint and its presence in all entertainment formats, is today one of the main content producers in the world."

The new Zodiak will be 71% owned by De Agostini, and 29% owned by Zodiak’s management team and venture capital firm Cyrte Investments.

In the U.S., the company will now be known as “RDF USA, part of the Zodiak Entertainment Group.” Acquisition comes as several international companies continue to kick the tires of U.S. production companies. European shingles — many of which look to emulate the model of mega-congloms FremantleMedia and Endemol — have been looking at U.S. indie outfits in order to gain a foothold in this marketplace. France-based Banijay, for example, acquired Bunim-Murray earlier this year.

Zodiak was created by the De Agostini family after it acquired Italy/Spain’s Magnolia Group and France’s Marathon Group in 2007, and Zodiak’s TV operations in Scandinavia, Poland, Russia, India and Latin America, among other locales, in 2008. Frank first founded RDF in 1993.

“The content business is both changing rapidly and becoming more global by the day and this is a huge opportunity to be at the very heart of this revolution,” Frank said.