Paris, 11 July 2019
NEWEN HAS ACQUIRED CANADIAN COMPANY REEL ONE,
A GLOBAL LEADER IN THE PRODUCTION AND LICENSING OF TELEVISION FILMS
Newen has acquired a majority stake in Reel One, a leading player in the production and licensing of scripted content for the North American and global markets. With 90% of its revenue generated outside of Canada, Reel One is an international player with strong growth prospects in the thriving television films and more recently series sectors. The Canadian group develops, produces and licenses programmes for the leading commercial channels in the US, Europe and the rest of the world, as well as SVOD platforms. The content created and licensed by Reel One is watched by millions of viewers around the world.
For Newen, Reel One constitutes a high-potential asset that will enhance its audiovisual production and licensing operations.
Newen will benefit from great synergies with Reel One, such as the significant volume of original English-language productions, the diversity of genres and the geographical reach of its distribution network. This year the company will deliver over 75 TV movies, including top-rating crime thrillers, romantic movies and Christmas movies.
The TV movie has become an essential and high-quality genre thanks to its level of production, casting and filming locations... generating large audiences.
This acquisition also brings new opportunities for Newen in the production of drama series and in terms of access to North American and British talent.
Founded in 2001 by Tom Berry, Reel One is headquartered in Montreal with offices in Los Angeles, London, Toronto and Vancouver. Newen has acquired a majority stake in all of Reel One's activities. The Canadian production activities, for their part, will be housed in a subsidiary under Canadian control (with a minority stake held by Reel One). Tom Berry, who will continue to hold a minority stake in the group, will continue in his role as CEO of Reel One within the Newen group.
Newen's acquisition of Reel One is subject to approval by the Department of Canadian Heritage, pursuant to the ICA (Investment Canada Act).
For Bibiane Godfroid, CEO of Newen: “This is a very dynamic period. The acquisition of Reel One brings new opportunities for us. Numerous synergies are possible with the group’s companies and we look forward to developing them with Tom Berry and his teams”.
For Romain Bessi, Newen Managing Director: “The group is further accelerating the international development strategy it initiated last year. After Pupkin, Nimbus and De Mensen, the acquisition of Reel One will help diversify and strengthen our model, notably in English-speaking territories - North America as well as the UK. I firmly believe this operation has the potential to create significant value for our group.”
For Tom Berry, founder and CEO of Reel One: “This is an exciting development for Reel One, as we continue to grow our business beyond North America and build on our strong relationships in Europe. With our strength in the English language speaking world and Newen’s impressive portfolio of European scripted content, this is a truly complimentary partnership. We look forward to working closely with Romain and Bibiane and all of the incredible talent within the Newen family of companies.”
About Newen
Founded in 2008, Newen is a subsidiary of the TF1 Group and France’s leading producer and distributor of audiovisual content, with significant international operations. Newen creates programmes for all sector players, including public and private channels and digital platforms. It is also a leading audiovisual distributor in France and outside France, with more than 1,000 hours of programmes produced per year and a catalogue of more than 5,000 hours of programmes internationally.
About Reel One
Based in Montreal with offices in London, Los Angeles and Vancouver, Reel One develops, finances, produces and markets telefilms and series for a global audience. Formed in 2001 by media entrepreneur Tom Berry, Reel One is one of the most dynamic independent players in audiovisual production and licensing. Already a leader in the telefilm sector, Reel One recently began operations in the production and licensing of televised series.