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Kew Media acquires Sienna Films

Cardinal is set for two more seasons on CTV

Kew Media Group (KMG) has acquired Sienna Films, the Toronto-based production company behind series including Cardinal, Ransom and Combat Hospital.

KMG, which has continued its spree since launching earlier this year with a swoop on 10 companies, has paid US$3m for Sienna, which was set up 25 years ago by independent producers Jennifer Kawaja and Julia Sereny.

Sienna crime drama Cardinal is heading into two more seasons following a renewal from Canada’s CTV and pick-ups from Hulu for the US and BBC4 in the UK, while Ransom is in production on a second for Global Television.

Aside from these shows, the firm is known for Combat Hospital, which aired on Global and ABC, and before that the miniseries Diamonds, plus movies such as Touch of Pink and How She Move.

KMG, which last month took a stake in UK-based producer Awesome Media & Entertainment and distributor TCB Media Rights, has paid US$2.58m in cash and US$420,000 in stock for Sienna, representing 2.7 multiple on the firm’s estimated EBITDA of US$1.1m. It will pay as much as US$3m more contingent on performance targets.

“Jennifer and Julia have built an exceptional company through creative and innovative work and have proven time and again the ability to develop and deliver quality content,” said KMG CEO Steven Silver. “We welcome these two truly great professionals into our group.”

“As independent content producers who have devoted our careers to compelling and meaningful stories for a range of audiences, the opportunity to be part of Kew Media’s strong international platform is extremely exciting,” said Sienna’s co-founders in a joint statement.

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