TORONTO — Specialty channel operator Anthem Sports & Entertainment announced Tuesday it is acquiring The GameTV Corporation, currently held by Kilmer Enterprises Inc., for an undisclosed price.
“We are delighted to have GameTV become part of the Anthem organization,” Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem, said in a news release to announce the proposed acquisition. “We think it’s a terrific fit because in addition to the financial upside, it will provide scale for Anthem, creating greater programming options, new advertising and marketing opportunities, expansion onto digital platforms, as well as operating efficiencies.”
Anthem currently operates the Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network channels in Canada and other markets on traditional TV and digital platforms. It also holds licences for three other Canadian TV channels, EDGEsport, MAVTV Canada and Pursuit Canada, which have not yet been launched. The GameTV specialty channel is currently available in more than 9 million homes across Canadian cable, satellite and IPTV systems.
“Kilmer is proud of the success GameTV has experienced in attracting and maintaining a significant audience,” Kilmer president Kenny Albert said in the news release. “Kilmer believes GameTV’s future success is dependent on it being part of a larger group rather than continuing as a stand-alone service.”
The proposed deal still requires approval by the CRTC and the two companies have filed an application with the Regulator, they said.
