Flemish media magnate Gert Verhulst has kept billionaire Joop van den Ende out of his company Studio 100. Discussions between the gentlemen came to nothing. “Totally jealous.”
Around 2002, Joop van den Ende tried to become a shareholder in Gert Verhulst’s media company Studio 100, known for successful productions such as K3 and Kabouter Plop, he confirmed to the newspaper. A.D. A book has been written about the company’s thirtieth anniversary in which this is claimed. And it turns out to be true.
‘Joop wanted K3’
According to the author of this book, Bram de Brabander, Joop was very impressed by the success of Gert and his company. In the summer of that year, K3 performed 54 times in a sold-out Circustheater. “Hallucinant figures, which Joop Van den Ende, the owner of the theater, had also noticed.”
“Reportedly, the TV and musical producer – you could call him the Dutch Gert Verhulst – was so impressed that he thought about buying K3 himself. He was apparently jealous of the success.”
Different story
According to Joop, it is slightly different. He tells the newspaper: “I never wanted to buy K3, but there is a different story behind this: at the time I was in discussions to become a shareholder of Studio 100, of which K3 is part.”
He continues: “I was impressed by Studio 100 and saw opportunities to expand that success internationally, as happened at Endemol.”
Very jealous
That deal ultimately fell through, ‘as so often happens’, according to Joop. “My admiration for Studio 100 is still there.”
However, he emphasizes: “I am never ‘jealous’. But fortunately I can really appreciate the success of others.”
