Bell Media lines up strategic investment in Canadian producer Blink49 Studios

John Morayniss (left) and Sean Cohan

BANFF: Canadian broadcast group Bell Media is making an undisclosed strategic investment in Blink49, the Toronto-headquartered production studio launched by John Morayniss in late 2021.

With the investment, which is set to close in the fall, Bell Media has struck a production and distribution partnership with Blink49, whose business has grown rapidly over the past few years following an initial cash injection from anchor investor Fifth Season.

US-based Fifth Season remains an investor in Blink49, whose slate of shows spans scripted, unscripted and TV movies. A large number of Blink49’s titles are already with Bell Media, including scripted series Don’t Even, Late Bloomer, Sight Unseen, The Trades and newly greenlit YAGA, as well as docuseries Queen of the Castle and reality show Blue Collar.

Blink49’s production slate also includes procedural drama Wild Cards (CBC/The CW), Beast Games (Prime Video) and an adaptation of UK format Come Dine with Me (Citytv).

The strategic investment from Bell Media is being made through Bell Ventures, a division of parent BCE that supports investments in early-stage and growth companies.

Both Blink49 and Bell Media have been active dealmakers of late, with Morayniss’s company recently acquiring comedy-focused Canadian prodco Pier 21 Films and investing in digital-first comedy producer Stapleview over the past few months. Around 18 months ago, it acquired Vancouver-based TV movie producer Front Street Pictures.

Meanwhile, Bell Media recently acquired a majority stake in UK-based distributor Sphere Abacus, in a move that significantly expanded its international distribution capabilities. Bell Media also holds a minority position in Sphere Abacus’s parent company, Montreal-based Sphere Media.

Bell Media president Sean Cohan said: “This investment is another significant step in our continued efforts to enhance the reach of Canadian creatives and deliver impactful storytelling that resonates at home and abroad. John Morayniss and his team have a proven track record of bringing compelling content to the global market, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration with them.”

Morayniss added that the deal marks a “new chapter in [Blink49’s] growth” and will lead to an expansion of its content ambitions. “Under Sean Cohan’s leadership and with the support of the talented team at Bell Media who share our commitment to compelling and entertaining storytelling, we’re well positioned to significantly expand our slate across both scripted and unscripted content, strengthen our reach in Canada and internationally, and continue building meaningful partnerships that bring bold, creative visions to life,” he said.