Corus Entertainment has purchased a majority stake in Aircraft Pictures, a Toronto-based kids and family-focused prodco, which also has an office in Los Angeles.
Founded in 2005 by Canadian producing team Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen, Corus says the deal marks an important investment in supporting the growth ambitions of both companies in the family entertainment global marketplace.
“Bringing Aircraft Pictures’ demonstrated creative capabilities and entrepreneurial talents into the Corus orbit will help to accelerate our strategy of expanding our global content business,” said Colin Bohm, EVP of Content & Corporate Strategy, Corus Entertainment, in a company announcement. “We are thrilled to be in business with two of the most respected producers in the industry.”
Recent Aircraft Pictures productions include Oscar-nominated animated feature film The Breadwinner in 2017; Emmy Award-nominated live-action series Holly Hobbie; the trilogy of family-friendly television movies based on the Gordon Korman Bruno & Boots novels, which first aired on YTV in 2017; and recently-announced animated series Summer Memories. Corus’ investment is aimed at helping Aircraft expand its capacity for developing, financing and producing premium content, with a focus on international co-productions.
“Andrew and I are truly fortunate to work with outstanding creative talent, exceptional co-producing partners and distributors and world-class broadcast and streaming platforms,” said Anthony Leo, Co-President of Aircraft Pictures. “As we plan to grow the company in new and exciting ways, the additional resources that this landmark step provides will increase the value Aircraft Pictures can extend to our partners exponentially.”
This investment builds on Corus’ growing content business, with Aircraft Pictures joining Nelvana, publisher Kids Can Press, and Corus Studios, each of which are producing content for leading platforms like Nickelodeon, Discovery, the CW, Netflix, hulu, and Amazon.
Subscribe Now – Free!
Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 30 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.
The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.
Let’s get started right now.
