Weil Gotshal and Manges, Olswang and Taylor Wessing have taken roles on the high-profile sale of TV presenter Graham Norton's production company to ITV.

The £17m transaction saw So Television – which was jointly founded by the comedian (pictured) and producer Graham Stuart in 1998 – bought by ITV Studios.

A sum of £10m was paid upfront, with another £7m in cash payments set to be made within the next four years, subject to the success of the company's profit targets.

So Television produces entertainment shows such as The Graham Norton Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme, as well as several shows for BBC Radio 4.

Weil's London office advised the production company with a team led by corporate partner Mark Soundy, alongside  tax partner Sarah Priestley and litigation counsel Ivor Gwilliams. 

Olswang was instructed by ITV, with corporate partners Stephen Hermer and Paul Guite at the helm. Their team was rounded out by commercial partner John Enser and media partner Victoria Gaskell.

The role for Olswang comes after it won a reappointment on the broadcaster's legal panel in April.

Meanwhile, Taylor Wessing corporate and commercial partner Ronald Graham advised Norton on matters relating to his presenter arrangements.