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eOne acquires Paperny

Production and distribution outfit Entertainment One (eOne) has taken over Canadian factual specialist prodco Paperny Entertainment in a deal worth C$29.2m (US$27.2m)

Canada-based eOne is looking to ramp up its unscripted production in North America. Paperny, which is headquartered in Vancouver and also operates in Toronto and New York, produces non-scripted programming including character-driven documentaries, reality shows and comedies.

Since it was formed in 1994, Paperny has produced more than 500 hours of TV and is expected to deliver 80 hours of original programming this year. The company is led by David Paperny, Cal Shumiatcher and Audrey Mehler.

Paperny will complement eOne’s factual division in Toronto, LA-based US alternative content unit and North American development and production teams. Paperny will report to Margaret O’Brien, president in Canada and chief operating officer of eOne Television.

Paperny has recently had success with HGTV’s Timber Kings, Cold Water Cowboys on Discovery Channel Canada, Yukon Gold for History Canada, Chopped Canada for the local Food Network and Chow Masters for Travel Channel in the US.

eOne recently announced plans to expand its US Alternative division, which launched in 2012 and has developed and produced shows including Mary Mary for WE TV and The Sheards for BET, as well as a series of Big Surprise! specials on E! Entertainment.

John Morayniss, CEO of eOne Television, said: “We are delighted to welcome David, Cal, Audrey and the Paperny team to eOne.

“Paperny has a very strong track record of success in unscripted television and they will keep their widely respected brand intact as they continue to do what they do best now under eOne. We won’t change their winning formula.”

Paperny was advised on the transaction by Canaccord Genuity.

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