Dutch television production company Endemol, responsible for the Big Brother franchise, is in financial trouble, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Tuesday.

The papers says the company’s debts of €2bn are becoming unsustainable, given the continuing pressure on its results. And, it says, shareholders Cyrte, Mediaset and Goldman Sachs are taking into account the fact that the banks may demand repayment this year.
The paper bases its claims on sources close to the company and its 2010 annual report.

Banks
Endemol has now employed US advisory group Houlihan Lokey to negotiate with the banks in order to find a solution, the paper says.
Endemol was bought in 2007 by a consortium under the leadership of investment fund Cyrte, which part-manages the assets of John de Mol, one of the founders of Endemol.
A spokesman for the company told the FD the company is engaged in constructive discussions with its creditors: ‘Endemol can meet its commitments and has sufficient liquidity,’ he said.