Endemol

Netherlands and founded by John de Mol. Its biggest success has been the Big Brother "reality television" show, with versions in many countries after the initial Dutch version. Other Endemol programmes in the UK include Changing Rooms, Ready Steady Cook, Ground Force, International King of Sports, and Fear Factor.

In 2000 the company was sold to the Spanish telecoms and media corporation Telefónica for ?5.5bn. In December 2003 it was reported that John de Mol would be leaving the company in May 2004.

The company employs 3,300 people (2003 figure).