UK sports and TV production firm Whisper is engaged in discussions around selling off either a minority or majority stake, according to reports.
Sky News has reported that Whisper Group, established 15 years ago, is working with advisors on a number of options, which include selling off a minority or majority stake, either to specific investment firms or to a rival productions firm.
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Sony Pictures Television already holds a 30% stake in Whisper – which is still majority-owned by its founders and management team, however – through a deal unveiled in 2020.
US professional services firm KPMG is said to be arranging discussions with the various potential bidders.
In terms of recent Whisper activity, earlier this month the firm appointed Richard Lancaster as its first chief technology officer (CTO).
Lancaster was previously the commercial director for the UK arm of international broadcasting and media services group NEP. He also spent three years as the senior tech lead for the Amazon Prime Video streaming service.
Whisper currently has offices in the UK cities of London, Manchester, and Cardiff, as well as one in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh.
It holds TV production contracts across sports including motor racing (with Formula 1, on free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4), cricket, boxing, and the Paralympic Games.
The company is arguably best known for its production of the 2022 Women's European Championships national team soccer tournament for the UK’s BBC public-service broadcaster, with that coverage eventually leading to a BAFTA award for Whisper.
The company was originally founded by UK TV presenter Jake Humphrey, and by former top-tier F1 racing driver David Coulthard.
Outside of live sport, meanwhile, it also produces documentaries and entertainment programming.
The last published set of financial results – up to March 31, 2024 – show Whisper having made a pre-tax profit of £4.3 million ($5.5 million) in the 12 months up to that date.
