TORONTO – As the next step in its international expansion, Blue Ant Media has acquired a majority stake in Choice TV, a privately owned national independent television network in New Zealand.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The investment will see Blue Ant Media become the majority shareholder of the broadcast business that will continue to be led by Julia Baylis who has been with the two year old channel since launch.
“This partnership marks our first international broadcast investment and Choice TV programming aligns very well with our content focus,” said Blue Ant Media CEO Michael MacMillan, in the announcement. “As a growing international media company we see this venture as a great opportunity to further diversify our asset base with a like-minded independent media company.”
“The Blue Ant Media investment provides strategic growth for Choice TV, positioning it for continued success in the rapidly changing media environment,” added Choice TV GM Julia Baylis. “We look forward to enhancing our programming line-up with quality content that inform, entertain and engage our audiences.”
Choice TV launched in 2012 as a free-to-air TV channel offering viewers a range of programs centred on travel, outdoors, food, home decor, real estate, comedy and drama. The channel broadcasts nationally on Freeview and Sky reaching all of New Zealand's television-watching households.
