One of Germany's leading independent producers, the Cologne Gemini Group, and Kirch Media's new subsidiary, Kirch Media Entertainment, have taken stakes in Berlin-based production outfit Prima Idee which specialises in TV entertainment format ideas and concepts.

In addition to taking a 30% stake in Prima Idee, Kirch Media Entertainment, a joint venture between Kirch Media and ex-SAT1 chief Fred Kogel, has appointed former Endemol Entertainment director of programmes Axel Beyer as the company's head producer. Beyer will serve as managing director and shareholder of Prima Idee, joining the previous executive shareholder, Stephanie Krink-Pehlgrimm.

Commenting on the deal, Kogel pointed out that the participation would be "an important step" for his company as "in this way, we are extending the spectrum of Kirch Media Entertainment to include the sitcom strand and now have further presences in Cologne and Berlin alongside our main location in Munich."

The first projects planned by Prima Idee are a light entertainment show and sitcom by TV presenter and entertainer Juergen von der Lippe who is managed by Krink-Pehlgrimm.