Media & Entertainment Acquisitions in Canada
Media & Entertainment Deal Activity — Canada
Media & Entertainment acquisitions in Canada span strategic consolidations, capability buys, and private-equity-backed roll-ups across British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Recent transactions show activity from broadcasters and studios to tech platforms and PE sponsors, with deals aimed at content, audience monetization and live/event expertise.
Notable examples include Red Seat Ventures acquiring podcast subscription platform Supercast, Apple bringing studio RAC7 in-house for Apple Arcade support, and Blue Ant Media Corporation completing its purchase of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. Recurring buyers and investors active in the sector include names like Valnet Inc., ZoomerMedia Limited, Postmedia Network Canada Corp., GTCR, and Dominus Capital.
What Stands Out
- Geographic clustering: recent deals are concentrated in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec (e.g., Red Seat Ventures/Supercast in BC; SiteMedia/STOREYS in Ontario; LiveBarn in Quebec).
- Diverse buyer types: strategic media groups and broadcasters, global tech platforms, and private equity firms are all active (examples: Blue Ant Media Corporation, Apple, GTCR, Dominus Capital).
- Capability-led transactions: acquisitions frequently target game development, streaming/subscription monetization, content production, and events/data capabilities (see RAC7, Supercast, Thunderbird, Generis).
- Cross-border and financing dynamics: several deals involve international buyers or sponsor-backed financings, reflecting external capital flows into Canadian media assets (e.g., GTCR with financing from Ares; GENDA Inc. acquiring Player One Amusement Group).
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February 10, 2026
- Buyer
- Red Seat Ventures
- Target
- Supercast
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Red Seat Ventures, a division of Fox Corporation's Tubi Media Group, has acquired Supercast, a podcast subscription platform founded in 2019. Supercast will continue to operate autonomously under founder and CEO Jason Sew Hoy, and the acquisition expands Red Seat Ventures' creator-focused digital services to unify advertising and subscription monetization and accelerate product and team investment.
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February 6, 2026
- Buyer
- Create Music Group, Create Capital
- Target
- Nettwerk Music Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Create Music Group’s investment arm, Create Capital, has entered into a definitive agreement to invest over USD $300 million into Vancouver-headquartered Nettwerk Music Group to complete a management buyout from existing investors. The deal is expected to close later in February and will allow Nettwerk management to increase its ownership stake while Nettwerk remains independently owned and operated.
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- Buyer
- Blue Ant Media Corporation
- Target
- Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Blue Ant Media Corporation acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. via a court-approved plan of arrangement. The deal closed on January 28, 2026, with consideration paid as a mix of Blue Ant shares and $40 million in cash (subject to election and proration).
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- Buyer
- GTCR, Ascent Sports Group, Ares, Susquehanna Growth Equity
- Target
- LiveBarn
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Chicago private equity firm GTCR has acquired Montreal-headquartered youth sports streaming platform LiveBarn in a deal valued at roughly $400 million, according to multiple reports. The acquisition is aimed at investing in the fragmented youth and amateur sports ecosystem and expands GTCR’s newly formed Ascent Sports Group strategy.
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January 21, 2026
- Buyer
- Brogent Technologies Inc.
- Target
- Flyover Attractions and Hospitality, Inc.
- Seller
- Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Flyover Attractions (the operator of the Flyover immersive flying theater experience) has agreed to be acquired by Brogent Technologies. The deal is expected to close in Spring 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and is intended to strengthen Flyover’s next phase of international growth and Brogent’s vertically integrated immersive attractions capabilities.
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January 20, 2026
- Buyer
- SiteMedia
- Target
- STOREYS
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
SiteMedia, Canada’s unified B2B platform for industrial and construction intelligence, has acquired STOREYS, the country’s leading online real estate news site. The deal brings STOREYS into SiteMedia’s portfolio of publications to expand coverage across the built environment and add data, events, and premium products to the SITE portfolio.
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December 19, 2025
- Buyer
- Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), Snuneymuxw First Nation
- Target
- Great Canadian Casino Vancouver
- Seller
- Great Canadian Entertainment
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), a wholly owned corporation of Snuneymuxw First Nation, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Great Canadian Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam, British Columbia, from Great Canadian Entertainment. The proposed acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and receipt of required regulatory and third-party approvals, including Competition Act approvals.
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September 16, 2025
- Buyer
- GreenSlate
- Target
- Circus
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
GreenSlate, a technology provider of production payroll, accounting, and workforce management solutions for the entertainment industry, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Circus. The acquisition is intended to expand GreenSlate’s reach and deepen production management workflow capabilities in Canada and across the U.S.
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- Buyer
- Dominus Capital
- Target
- Creative Outdoor Advertising
- Seller
- Fulcrum Capital Partners
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Dominus Capital has acquired Creative Outdoor Advertising (COA) from Fulcrum Capital Partners, marking Fulcrum’s first exit from Fund VI. COA, headquartered in Gormley, Ontario, is a leading North American provider of street-level furniture out-of-home advertising and will partner with Dominus to pursue continued growth and market expansion.
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August 12, 2025
- Buyer
- Emerald Holding, Inc.
- Target
- Generis Group
- Seller
- Generis Group shareholders (including founders Francesco Scalzo, Jason Cheddie, Nadim Allidina)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Emerald Holding, Inc. (NYSE: EEX) has acquired 100% of Generis Group, a Toronto-based organizer of executive-level B2B summits. The purchase adds Generis’s one-to-one matchmaking summit format and expands Emerald’s executive-summit portfolio across the U.S. and Europe to drive greater high-value networking and sponsor-led lead generation.
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July 15, 2025
- Buyer
- GENDA Inc.
- Target
- Player One Amusement Group
- Seller
- OpenGate Capital
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Tokyo-based entertainment operator GENDA Inc. has acquired Player One Amusement Group, a North American provider of amusement gaming equipment and outsourced operations, from private equity firm OpenGate Capital. The deal advances GENDA's roll-up strategy to expand its footprint and sales volume across North America.
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May 28, 2025
- Buyer
- Apple
- Target
- RAC7
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Apple has acquired RAC7, the two-person developer behind Apple Arcade launch title Sneaky Sasquatch, bringing the studio in-house to support and grow the game on Apple Arcade. The move is positioned as a capability expansion to bolster Apple’s internal game-development resources ahead of broader gaming plans, including a rumored dedicated games app.
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May 15, 2025
- Buyer
- Scrypted Inc.
- Target
- Chibi Clash (Kuma Games)
- Seller
- Kuma Games Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Scrypted Inc. has acquired Chibi Clash, the web3 gaming ecosystem developed by Kuma Games, to integrate Chibi Clash's game engine and web3 technology into Scrypted's Autonomous Virtual Beings (AVB) framework. The acquisition gives Scrypted a live sandbox to prototype and showcase its AI Agent and Gen AI capabilities while preserving existing player assets and tokens.
-
March 17, 2025
- Buyer
- Blink49 Studios
- Target
- Pier21 Films
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Addon
Toronto-based Blink49 Studios has acquired Pier21 Films to extend its Canadian production reach and expand its comedy and scripted slate. Terms were not disclosed; Pier21 founder Laszlo Barna will exit with an exclusive first-look deal with Blink49 while Pier21 co-CEOs Nicole Butler and Vanessa Steinmetz will depart following closing.
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- Buyer
- Trifecta Collective LLC, GreyLion
- Target
- Canadian Concrete Expo
- Seller
- Stuart Galloway
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Addon
Trifecta Collective LLC, a trade-show platform backed by private equity firm GreyLion, has acquired the Canadian Concrete Expo (CCE). Stuart Galloway, CCE's primary shareholder and president, will remain in his leadership role while the show becomes the fifth addition to Trifecta's events portfolio as the company expands its footprint in the construction and tradeshow markets.
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September 9, 2024
- Buyer
- MyHeritage
- Target
- MesAieux.com
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
MyHeritage has acquired MesAieux.com, a Quebec-based genealogy service specializing in French-Canadian records, strengthening MyHeritage's presence in Canada and the Francophone market. MesAieux.com — which serves over one million users and houses roughly 15 million Canadian historical records — will have its content published on MyHeritage and its users will gain access to MyHeritage's matching technologies and platform features.
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- Buyer
- Postmedia Network Inc., Postmedia Network Canada Corp.
- Target
- Saltwire Network Inc., The Halifax Herald Limited
- Seller
- Saltwire Network Inc., The Halifax Herald Limited
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
- Type
- Divestiture
Postmedia Network Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire certain businesses and assets of Saltwire Network Inc. and The Halifax Herald Limited as Saltwire pursues restructuring under Canada’s CCAA. The transaction is intended to preserve local journalism in Atlantic Canada and provide Postmedia with back-office resources and operational infrastructure to support the regional network, subject to union agreements, stakeholder approvals and court approval.
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June 21, 2024
- Buyer
- Scholastic Corporation
- Target
- 9 Story Media Group
- Seller
- An affiliate of private equity firm ZMC, Other selling shareholders
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Scholastic has completed its previously announced investment in 9 Story Media Group, acquiring 100% of the economic interest and a minority of voting rights for CAD $250 million (approximately USD $182 million). The deal (signed March 2024, closed June 21, 2024) brings 9 Story's production, distribution and licensing capabilities into Scholastic to expand its content creation, global distribution and merchandising opportunities; sellers included an affiliate of private equity firm ZMC and other selling shareholders.
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June 3, 2024
- Buyer
- Banyan Capital Partners
- Target
- Stagevision Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Growth capital
Banyan Capital Partners has made a growth equity investment in Stagevision Inc., marking Banyan's third platform investment through its Banyan Committed Capital LP vehicle. Banyan is partnering with Stagevision CEO Scott Tomlinson and the management team, who will retain a minority ownership stake to support the company’s continued growth across Canada and the United States.
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February 20, 2024
- Buyer
- ZoomerMedia Limited
- Target
- Curiocity Group Inc.
- Seller
- Mark Montanini, Lisa Briscoe
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Toronto-based ZoomerMedia Limited completed the $5.0 million cash acquisition of Curiocity Group Inc., a Calgary-area digital media publisher focused on hyper-local food, experiences and deals. The purchase expands ZoomerMedia's Zoomer Digital Network and strengthens its local reach in Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) and across Canada, adding Curiocity's large digital audience to ZoomerMedia's portfolio.
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February 5, 2024
- Buyer
- OpenGate Capital
- Target
- Player One Amusement Group
- Seller
- Cineplex
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Divestiture
OpenGate Capital has completed the acquisition of Player One Amusement Group (P1AG) from Cineplex for CAD 155 million. OpenGate will partner with P1AG’s management and invest in people, infrastructure, deployable assets and systems to support organic growth and pursue accretive acquisitions across North America.
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January 24, 2024
- Buyer
- Minute Media
- Target
- STN Video (formerly SendtoNews)
- Seller
- Frontier Growth
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Minute Media has acquired STN Video (formerly SendtoNews), a Victoria, BC–based online video platform and North American sports content distributor that holds highlight rights with major U.S. sports leagues. The deal brings STN's award-winning OVP, a library of more than 2 million videos, and distribution capabilities into Minute Media's Voltax Video ecosystem; financing support for the transaction came from HSBC Innovation Banking and funds/accounts managed by BlackRock. Frontier (a prior investor in STN) will remain a supportive shareholder of Minute Media.
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January 17, 2024
- Buyer
- Valnet Inc.
- Target
- CarBuzz
- Seller
- Slava Yevdayev
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Montreal-based digital media owner Valnet Inc. has acquired CarBuzz, a prominent online automotive publication known for buyer guides, reviews and its BuzzScore rating system. The acquisition expands Valnet's automotive portfolio alongside TopSpeed and HotCars to strengthen audience, traffic and technology capabilities.
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December 12, 2023
- Buyer
- Perion Network Ltd.
- Target
- Hivestack Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Perion Network Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Hivestack Inc., a global full‑stack programmatic digital out‑of‑home (DOOH) platform, for $100 million in cash plus up to $25 million in employee retention and performance‑based payments. The deal gives Perion immediate entry into the DOOH market with Hivestack's platform deployed across 32 countries and is intended to expand Perion's advertising product capabilities and diversify its revenue mix.
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August 22, 2023
- Buyer
- Round Hill Music LP
- Target
- Linus Entertainment, Independent Digital Licensing Agency Inc (IDLA)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Round Hill Music LP has acquired Canada-based independent music company Linus Entertainment, buying its recording and publishing catalogs (including Borealis, Stony Plain, True North and others) and distribution arm Independent Digital Licensing Agency (IDLA). The acquisition adds over 3,000 songs and 20,000 master recordings to Round Hill's portfolio as part of its strategy to invest in and grow iconic music assets.
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August 8, 2023
- Buyer
- Playmaker Capital Inc.
- Target
- La Poche Bleue
- Seller
- Maxim Lapierre, Guillaume Latendresse, Louis-Philippe Dorais
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Playmaker Capital Inc. (TSXV: PMKR) has acquired La Poche Bleue, a Quebec-based sports media and entertainment group, for up to CAD$8.8 million. The deal provides Playmaker with immediate access to the Quebec market and a portfolio of video-podcast properties and branded consumer products; La Poche Bleue's co-founders and managing director will remain with the business.
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- Buyer
- Lionsgate, Hasbro
- Target
- eOne
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Lionsgate will acquire the independent content platform eOne in a transaction valued at approximately $500 million, consisting of $375 million in cash plus assumed production financing loans and subject to customary closing conditions. The deal expands Lionsgate’s scripted and unscripted television footprint and its library, including rights tied to Hasbro’s Monopoly.
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July 19, 2023
- Buyer
- Ministry Brands
- Target
- Church Motion Graphics
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Ministry Brands, a provider of software and services for faith-based organizations, has acquired Church Motion Graphics, a ministry-focused design studio that creates background graphics and videos for worship environments. The acquisition expands Ministry Brands' media and content capabilities and augments its ShareFaith offering; terms were not disclosed.
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- Buyer
- Falfurrias Capital Partners
- Target
- Executive Platforms
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Growth capital
Charlotte-based private equity firm Falfurrias Capital Partners has made a growth investment in Executive Platforms, a curator of executive forums and peer networks. The partnership will support Executive Platforms' expansion into new markets and capabilities while the company's leadership team remains in place and Falfurrias joins the board.
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June 8, 2023
- Buyer
- ZoomerMedia Limited
- Target
- The Peak Media Collective Inc.
- Seller
- Shareholders of The Peak Media Collective Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
ZoomerMedia Limited (TSXV: ZUM) completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of The Peak Media Collective Inc. for an aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million (consisting of $3.5 million cash and a $1.5 million promissory note). The deal expands ZoomerMedia's digital publishing roster and audience reach by adding The Peak's newsletters, podcasts, and social platforms aimed at modern Canadian business leaders.
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- Buyer
- Flexpoint Asset Opportunity Fund II (Flexpoint Ford), Beedie Capital, Vistara Growth
- Target
- Nettwerk Music Group, Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Growth capital
Nettwerk Music Group announced a structured growth investment led by Flexpoint Asset Opportunity Fund II, with existing investors Beedie Capital and Vistara Growth participating and remaining on the cap table. The new capital will enable Nettwerk to invest in artists and pursue music catalogue acquisitions to support the company’s continued global growth.
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- Buyer
- Parsec Capital Acquisitions Corp., Parsec Acquisitions Sponsor, LLC
- Target
- Enteractive Media Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Parsec Capital Acquisitions Corp., a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company, executed a merger agreement with Calgary-based Enteractive Media Inc., a provider of gambling-themed broadcast and streaming content (including its PlayerVision subsidiary). The business combination is intended to take Enteractive public on Nasdaq, providing the company with access to capital to support growth and expansion, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.
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September 16, 2022
- Buyer
- CF Acquisition Corp. VI, PIPE investors (unnamed)
- Target
- Rumble Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Growth capital
Rumble Inc. completed its previously announced business combination with CF Acquisition Corp. VI, resulting in Rumble becoming a publicly traded company on NASDAQ under the ticker symbols RUM and RUMBW. The transaction provided Rumble with approximately $400 million in gross proceeds (including an $85 million PIPE and a $15 million forward purchase), which the company said will fund product and infrastructure development, creator recruitment, marketing, team expansion and future acquisitions.
-
August 17, 2022
- Buyer
- Mediaocean
- Target
- Imposium
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Mediaocean has acquired Imposium to integrate the startup’s real-time, data-driven video rendering and personalization technology into Mediaocean’s Flashtalking/Lightning Renderer stack. The deal is intended to boost Mediaocean’s CTV and digital video creative personalization capabilities and make scalable, personalized video production available to linear TV advertisers, brands and agencies.
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June 22, 2022
- Buyer
- TriWest Capital Partners
- Target
- A Parent Media Co. Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Type
- Growth capital
TriWest Capital Partners led an equity financing of over CAD 80 million in A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC), the owner of Kidoodle.TV, valuing the company at more than CAD 600 million. As part of the transaction TriWest Managing Director Jon Spencer joined APMC's board to support the company's next phase of growth and product expansion focused on safe streaming for children.
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June 8, 2022
- Buyer
- Valnet Inc.
- Target
- DualShockers.com
- Seller
- GRV Media
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Valnet Inc. has completed the acquisition of gaming publication DualShockers.com from GRV Media. The acquisition expands Valnet's gaming portfolio alongside sites like GameRant and TheGamer, and DualShockers will be integrated into Valnet's digital publishing network.
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June 1, 2022
- Buyer
- Valnet Inc.
- Target
- TopSpeed.com
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Valnet Inc., a Montreal-based digital content investment company, has completed the acquisition of TopSpeed.com, a long-running digital automotive publication founded in 2003. The deal expands Valnet's automotive portfolio (including HotCars.com) and increases its audience scale to roughly 175 million annual sessions across its automotive properties.
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- Buyer
- Alpha Metaverse Technologies Inc.
- Target
- Shape Immersive Entertainment Inc.
- Seller
- Shape Shareholders
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Alpha Metaverse Technologies Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Shape Immersive Entertainment Inc. The deal consideration includes cash and common shares of Alpha, milestone share issuances tied to market-cap milestones, and Shape will continue operating as a metaverse/AR/VR studio to expand Alpha’s Web3, NFT and immersive-gaming capabilities.
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March 30, 2022
- Buyer
- Smart Post Sound Canada, Inc. (division of Smart Post Sound, Inc.)
- Target
- Post Modern Sound
- Seller
- Linda McAteer
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Smart Post Sound Canada, Inc., a division of Smart Post Sound, Inc., has acquired Vancouver-based Post Modern Sound. Linda McAteer, owner and president of Post Modern Sound, will transition to Executive Vice President reporting to Joe Melody as the business continues to operate under the Post Modern Sound name and expand Smart Post Sound’s geographic footprint.
-
- Buyer
- Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
- Target
- Haven Entertainment Studios Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) entered into an agreement to acquire Haven Entertainment Studios Inc., a Montreal-based game development studio founded by Jade Raymond. Haven Studios, currently working on its first live-service PlayStation project, will join PlayStation Studios as its 18th studio, with day-to-day operations continuing under its management team.
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February 17, 2022
- Buyer
- Postmedia Network Canada Corp.
- Target
- Brunswick News Inc.
- Seller
- J. D. Irving, Limited
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Postmedia Network Canada Corp. has completed the acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Brunswick News Inc. from J. D. Irving, Limited, adding BNI's daily and weekly newspapers, digital properties and its parcel delivery business to Postmedia's portfolio. The transaction was valued at $7.5 million in cash plus $8.6 million in variable voting shares of Postmedia, and Postmedia says the acquisition expands its national news footprint and parcel delivery capabilities across Canada.
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February 4, 2022
- Buyer
- Pioneer Media Holdings Inc.
- Target
- Bark Ventures
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Pioneer Media Holdings Inc. completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Bark Ventures, an NFT play-to-earn game developer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Pioneer issued 2,857,142 common shares (C$1.75 per share), including 398,671 shares issued to settle Bark's debt, as part of the consideration. The deal supports Pioneer's strategy to build a Web3 ecosystem focused on NFTs, NFT games and DAOs.
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January 24, 2022
- Buyer
- ZoomerMedia Limited
- Target
- Freshdaily Inc. (blogTO)
- Seller
- Tim Shore and other shareholders of Freshdaily Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
ZoomerMedia Limited (TSXV: ZUM) has acquired all of the shares of Freshdaily Inc., the owner and publisher of blogTO. The acquisition brings blogTO's large digital audience (350M+ annual page views; ~6M monthly users) and younger demographic reach into ZoomerMedia to accelerate digital product development and expand advertising and cross-platform offerings. Founder Tim Shore sold the business and will work with ZoomerMedia going forward.
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December 22, 2021
- Buyer
- Valnet Inc.
- Target
- Simple Flying (SimpleFlying.com)
- Seller
- Arran Rice
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Valnet Inc. has completed the acquisition of Simple Flying, a leading online publisher for aviation news and content founded by Arran Rice. The acquisition will integrate Simple Flying into Valnet’s portfolio of digital publishing brands to expand its presence in the aviation vertical and build on the site’s large audience and brand authority.
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December 1, 2021
- Buyer
- ESE Entertainment Inc.
- Target
- GameAddik
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
ESE Entertainment Inc. entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 9327-7358 Quebec Inc. DBA GameAddik, a Quebec-based gaming technology and performance marketing company. The deal consideration includes cash and common shares of ESE; GameAddik reported CA$24.0 million in revenue and CA$4.7 million in operating income for fiscal 2020, and will operate as ESE's gaming technology unit to strengthen its user-acquisition capabilities and expand into new end markets such as iGaming.
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November 12, 2021
- Buyer
- TPG Real Estate Partners (TREP)
- Target
- Cinespace Studios
- Seller
- Mirkopoulos family, Pissios family
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
TPG Real Estate Partners (TREP), the real estate investment platform of TPG, has acquired Cinespace Studios, a leading independent sound stage operator with major campuses in Toronto and Chicago. The acquisition will support Cinespace’s planned stage development and workforce expansion while TREP aims to build a best-in-class studio platform and expand community workforce programs like the CineCares Foundation.
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November 2, 2021
- Buyer
- Playmaker Capital Inc.
- Target
- The Nation Network, Daily Faceoff
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Playmaker Capital Inc. (TSX-V: PMKR) acquired 100% of The Nation Network (TNN) and its subsidiary Daily Faceoff (DFO) to establish a presence in Canada and immediately add over 27 million annual users to its audience ecosystem. The aggregate consideration is up to CAD$15 million (cash, shares and an earn‑out), and the deal is intended to expand Playmaker's Canadian reach ahead of broader sports betting legalization in Ontario and to diversify revenue through subscriptions and sportsbook partnerships.
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October 27, 2021
- Buyer
- Genius Brands International, Inc.
- Target
- WOW! Unlimited Media Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Genius Brands International (NASDAQ: GNUS) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. for approximately US$53 million in cash and stock, creating a combined animation and digital media company. The deal adds WOW!'s Frederator and Mainframe studios, a large YouTube network and contracted production backlog, expanding Genius Brands' production capacity, audience demographics and monetization channels.
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September 14, 2021
- Buyer
- Backstage, TA Associates
- Target
- FilmFreeway, Coverfly, Voice123
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Backstage, the freelancer marketplace and application suite for creators, announced the acquisitions of FilmFreeway, Coverfly and Voice123 — transactions supported by investor TA Associates. The deals expand Backstage’s creator tools and talent marketplaces by adding a film festival submissions platform (FilmFreeway), a writers’ discovery and data platform (Coverfly), and a global voiceover marketplace (Voice123).
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August 5, 2021
- Buyer
- Penn National Gaming, Inc.
- Target
- Score Media and Gaming Inc. (theScore)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Penn National Gaming, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Score Media and Gaming Inc. (theScore) for approximately US$2.0 billion in cash and stock. The deal was structured as a plan of arrangement and was expected to close in October 2021, with theSpeed delivering US$17.00 in cash and 0.2398 Penn National shares per theScore share.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Canadian regions show the most media and entertainment deal activity?
Activity is concentrated in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, with recent transactions across those provinces (for example, Red Seat Ventures/Supercast in BC; SiteMedia/STOREYS in Ontario; LiveBarn in Quebec).
What types of buyers are active in this sector?
A mix of strategic media companies, technology platforms and private equity investors are active. Recurring buyers and investors on this page include names like Valnet Inc., ZoomerMedia Limited, Postmedia Network Canada Corp., GTCR, and Dominus Capital.
What are the common deal motivations?
Buyers are typically pursuing capability expansion (game development, streaming/subscriptions), scale in content production, and audience/data-driven products. Examples: Apple/RAC7 for game development; Red Seat Ventures/Supercast for subscription monetization; Blue Ant Media Corporation/Thunderbird for studio scale.
Are private equity firms involved in these transactions?
Yes. Several transactions show private equity involvement or sponsor-backed deals, such as GTCR's acquisition of LiveBarn (with financing participation by Ares) and Dominus Capital's purchase of Creative Outdoor Advertising.