Hilversum – Endemol has acquired 51 Minds Entertainment, an independent US-based production company responsible for programming including Flavor of Love, I Love New York and The Surreal Life. The deal boosts Endemol USA’s non-scripted programming and catalogue with 51 Minds Entertainment’s library of formats and ready-made shows. Following Endemol’s acquisition, 51 Minds Entertainment will continue to operate out of its offices in Los Angeles as an independent studio within Endemol USA. 51 Minds Entertainment was made up of Cris Abrego’s 51 Pictures and Mark Cronin’s Mindless Entertainment, and currently employs more than 200 people. Previously, 51 Minds Entertainment delivered 20 series which included 11 franchises which were the VH1 network’s highest-rated originals. Also, its shows made up to 85% of VH1’s website streams and two-thirds of VOD orders. Marco Bassetti, COO, Endemol Group, said, “Endemol will continue to look for acquisitions, particularly in the area of digital media and advertiser funded/branded content.”