MGM acquires Evolution Media

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) has expanded its television division, led by Mark Burnett, by taking over Real Housewives producer Evolution Media.

Douglas Ross

Evolution, which also produces Vanderpump Rules for Bravo and Botched for E!, will continue to operate as Evolution Media, an MGM Company.

Founder and CEO Douglas Ross will become president of the acquired business while Alex Baskin is stepping up from executive VP of programming and development to become president of programming and development.

Both will report to Barry Poznick, the co-founder of Zoo Productions, who was hired by MGM as president of unscripted television in April last year.

Founded 30 years ago by Ross, Evolution Media has forged its reputation in unscripted television with more than 50 series aired including the first seasons of CBS’s Big Brother and NBC’s Fear Factor. It will continue to operate out of its Burbank headquarters.

Alex Baskin

The move further strengthens the TV arm of film studio MGM, which Burnett – known for producing Survivor, The Apprentice and Shark Tank among many other shows – was hired to run in December 2015.

The group currently produces Survivor for CBS, The Voice for NBC, Shark Tank and Funderdome for ABC, and Jamie Foxx’s Beat Shazam for Fox. In scripted television, MGM’s slate includes Fargo (FX), The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) and Vikings (History).

The acquisition follows the US$1bn deal to acquire the 81% of US cablenet Epix that MGM didn’t already own earlier this year.

Evolution Media is represented by Alan Braun and David Gross at CAA and was represented in the transaction by Bryan Bowles and Ron Milkes of Bryor Media Partners and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton. MGM was represented by Latham & Watkins.