MUMBAI: After setting shop in India, Endemol has now entered Poland. The company has started operating as a fully independent TV production company named Endemol Polska.

Endemol Polska will be 100 per cent owned by Endemol.

Endemol previously operated in Poland as Endemol-Neovision, which was a joint venture with ITI group. The partnership produced content exclusively for ITI-owned broadcaster TVN and generated a number of local hits including Big Brother (Wielki Brat), Who Wants to be a Millionaire (Milionerzy), and Those Where The Days (To Bylo Grane).

Endemol Polska will be headed by a new managing director following the departure of Sylweriusz Rudolf. The company will announce the appointment of the new MD in due course.

Endemol Polska's launch announcement follows a deal struck in November 2005 in which Endemol agreed to buy ITI's 50 per cent share in Endemol-Neovision.

The move allows Endemol to broaden its position in the Polish television market by creating and producing content for all broadcasters in the territory.

Apart from rolling out international hits from Endemol's format catalogue, Endemol Polska will also provide tailored content for the Polish market. This includes locally developed formats such as Eureko, ja to wiem! (Junior Knowledge Knockout) and Polsat's What About This Poland (Co Z Ta Polska).

Polsat has also re-commissioned Endemol's global blockbuster Deal Or No Deal (Grasz Czy Nie Grasz), which is scheduled for broadcast in March 2006.