TORONTO and NEW YORK — Canadian production company Shaftesbury and global entertainment company AMC Networks announced today they have entered into a new partnership which will help further expand the global audience for Shaftesbury’s content.
Through its investment in Shaftesbury, AMC Networks will gain access to the production company’s award-winning slate of content, while also expanding its own content and development capabilities in Canada, says the press release announcing the new partnership. Shaftesbury and its shareholders were advised on this strategic investment by RBC Capital Markets. The financial details of the investment were not announced.
Shaftesbury CEO and chair Christina Jennings (above) will continue to spearhead the company’s creative focus and lead the day-to-day operational control alongside executive vice-president Scott Garvie. Jennings, Garvie and Shaftesbury board member Michael Levine will remain on Shaftesbury’s board of directors. They will be joined by two new directors from AMC Networks: Harold Gronenthal, executive vice-president of programming and marketing for AMC Networks International, and Matt Graham, general manager of the AMC Networks-owned Acorn TV streaming service.
The partnership builds on Shaftesbury’s existing production relationship with AMC Networks, as it is the studio behind some of the biggest titles on (Brit-focused) Acorn TV, including all 14 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries. In addition to Acorn TV, AMC Networks operates the entertainment brands AMC, SundanceTV and BBC America, and the streaming services AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK.
“This new partnership will leverage the broad expertise of AMC Networks and Shaftesbury to deliver significant growth opportunities for the development, production, distribution and reach of our content,” said Jennings, in the press release. “Getting Canadian stories and creative talent in front of the international market has always been Shaftesbury’s mission — this relationship will give us a big leg up.”
“Christina has built a world-class production company with a long track record and reputation for creating high-quality content that resonates in markets around the world,” added Josh Sapan, AMC Networks president and CEO. “Shaftesbury is an ideal partner for AMC Networks as we expand our focus on sourcing premium content and IP for distribution across our own platforms as well as to third parties. In addition, this partnership will give AMC Networks enhanced capabilities to expand our productions in Canada.”
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