G100 International: Endemol

Endemol (Hilversum, Netherlands)

Really, what's left to be said about Endemol? With a presence in 25 countries and a library of over 1,200 unscripted formats, Endemol is easily the biggest thing going in the factual entertainment realm.

Having said that, there's always more to do, even when you're as big as this Dutch Goliath. Late in 2007, for example, Endemol grew that much bigger when the US arm of the company snapped up Original Media, the bicoastal US prodco behind shows like Miami Ink, LA Ink and Storm Chasers. (By extension, Endemol will also benefit from a first-look deal that Original has signed with NBC Entertainment.)

Can this media giant get any bigger? That's now a question for Marco Bassetti, who took over as COO in September of last year - just a few months before chief creative officer Peter Bazalgette stepped down. Bazalgette, founder of London-based prodco Bazal and long-time Endemol exec, will remain attached to the company as an advisor to the management board.

With all these changes, should the viewers of Endemol's shows be worried? Not according to Mike Morley, senior executive director of commercial and creative affairs, Endemol International. "Being distinctive, different and daring is in the company's DNA and with each new generation of Endemol creatives there is a fresh and ever more potent evolution of creative talent."

Employees: approx. 4,800 in all companies
Recent titles: 1 vs. 100, Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Big Brother
Current/upcoming titles: The One and Only... (BBC 1), The Kids Are All Right (BBC 1), The Ultimate Mind Quiz (TF1 in France, TVE1 Spain), The Best Years of Our Lives (Rai Uno)
www.endemol.com