Banijay’s Kudos takes a 25% equity stake in What’s the Story?

Kudos, the Banijay UK outfit behind titles such as “Grantchester” and “Code 404,” is expanding into the podcast business by taking a 25% equity stake in podcast production company What’s the Story?, Variety reported.

What’s the Story? has produced several hit podcast series including “Body of Proof,” which reached number 1 in the Audible UK bestseller chart; “The Missing” that tells the untold stories of the long-term missing; and Spotify original podcast “Emily Atack: Lie Detector,” a series which investigates stories of dishonesty, fakery and lies. This new deal follows the first-look agreement Kudos signed with What’s the Story? 12 months ago, which has led to a raft of new scripted ideas, for both TV and audio, going into development.

“The relationship which Karen Wilson and I have built with What’s the Story? over the past 12 months has shown us that there is a hugely fruitful synergy between the two types of content. Working together, there is a real opportunity to discover new stories and new ways to tell them for both television and for the audio space, and we look forward to working more closely both creatively and commercially,” said Martin Haines, Co-Managing Director of Kudos.

“We have a great relationship with Kudos and are thrilled that they are investing in the company. We have ambitious plans to become the home for true crime and incredible human stories you won’t find anywhere else. With Kudos’s input and expertise, and the support and access to the wider Banijay group, we feel confident that we can realise this,” added Darrell Brown and Sophie Ellis, Managing and Creative Director, respectively, at What’s the Story?.