TORONTO – Boat Rocker Media has acquired the principal assets of unscripted production and distribution company Proper Television and Proper Rights. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Proper is behind Canadian versions of international formats including Canada’s Worst Driver, MasterChef Canada, and Storage Wars Canada, as well as originals like Vegas Rat Rods, True North Calling, Last Car Standing, Secret Lives, Newlywed Nearly Dead, Don’t Drive Here, and Yukon for Sale.
Proper will continue to operate as an independent business unit within the Boat Rocker Media family of companies, adding significant scale and expertise, particularly in the area of high budget format production, reads Monday’s announcement. The rights and distribution business will be consolidated into global distribution arm Boat Rocker Rights, adding over 2,200 half hours of content to the company’s catalogue.
Reporting to Boat Rocker Media CRO Michel Pratte, Lesia Capone and Cathie James will provide the day-to-day executive leadership and production oversight as co-presidents of Proper, and Boat Rocker will continue to provide capital investment, business support and guidance to the Proper team.
"Continuing the legacy of what Proper’s founder and president Guy O’Sullivan built over the last decade and supporting the incredible work of the entire Proper team is at the heart of Boat Rocker’s approach to this new relationship,” said Boat Rocker Media CEO John Young, in the announcement. “As premium unscripted original content and formats find new and exciting business models in a multiplatform world, we are excited about working with the Proper team and their global broadcast and creative partners in the years to come.”
“In the wake of Guy’s passing, we have been deeply moved and motivated by the support of the Canadian and International production community,” added Capone and James, “and now Boat Rocker is providing an opportunity to expand Guy’s legacy with their extraordinary vision and support. We’re honoured and excited to become part of this dynamic and forward-looking company."
