UK independent news producer buys Belgian broadcaster ahead of Brexit

UK-based independent news producer DMA Media Group (DMA) has purchased European video specialist Headline to widen its footprint on the continent and up its live broadcasting offering.

DMA provides video content for corporate brands and news publishers, as well as launching newsrooms around the world and offering editorial and technical consultancy.

Amid the uncertainty of a post-Brexit scenario, 29 March 2019, Rob Beynon, founder and CEO of DMA said that having an operation based in Brussels with ties to the rest of Europe will act as an insurance policy for the company.

"Whatever the outcome of the Brexit story is, I think it is important to provide your services in the UK but also across the EU,” he said. "We’ll be in a good position to have in a base in the UK and in the EU.”

Picture: Headline in an outside broadcast

Headline's extensive list of partners includes companies inside and outside of Europe, including BBC News, Euronews NBC, France Télévisions, Al Jazeera, RTE, three scandinavian broadcasters and China’s CCTV to name a few.

Beynon explained that the move is part of an expansion for both sides, notably allowing DMA's to boost its presence on the continent with live broadcasting and 24/7 streaming.

"The pressure is on channels to provide live facilities whether it's a news event, political rally, or a demonstration. You need to be able to be there live, to be able to broadcast or stream in a reliable way," he said.

"We can now provide live capability to a news broadcaster that needs it, and in addition we can offer the same services in the same way to corporate clients."

Want to reach more digital readers? Find out how to kickstart an effective digital strategy at Newsrewired on 6 March at Reuters, London.

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