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Market and Sector Type: 
Media & Marketing

Big Canadian deal for Entertainment One

Article Date:  Jul 07 2008 Mark Dunne

A film and television content provider has established itself as a producer and distributor in Canada following a treble acquisition. Entertainment One (E1) has bought independent TV production companies Barna-Alper Productions and Blueprint Entertainment as well as sales and distribution specialist Oasis Pictures.

It has also consolidated its film distribution operations in Canada through buying Maximum Film International.

The acquisitions cost C$51.5 million (£25.6 million) in cash and shares, financed by existing resources and debt. The terms of the deal also include a deferred performance-related payment.

The acquisitions are part of the company’s strategy to build an international content ownership and distribution business and provide an infrastructure to license its programmes around the world.

Barna-Alper and Blueprint will operate within E1 as an integrated television production unit. Oasis will continue to represent the titles produced by these companies alongside third-party productions and Maximum will be integrated with Seville Pictures, E1’s film distribution business in Canada.

The acquired companies, which generated combined revenues of C$54.3 million (£27 million) in their last financial years, will continue to be led by their senior management teams.

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