Fairfax moves into Temple St

Canadian insurance and investment firm Fairfax Financial Holdings has taken a majority stake in Temple Street Productions, the prodco behind sci-fi drama Orphan Black.

Under the deal – financial terms of which have not been disclosed – Fairfax will make a “significant capital investment” to expand Toronto- and LA-based Temple Street’s content creation, production and distribution operations with a view to exploring strategic acquisitions.

Temple Street co-presidents David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg and MD John Young will all continue to manage the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the company.

In addition to producing BBC America and Space series Orphan Black, Temple Street is known for its range of scripted and non-scripted content including Killjoys (Syfy, Space), X Company (CBC), Being Erica (CBC, SOAPnet), The Next Step (Family Channel, Hulu) and Recipe to Riches (CBC).

Fortier and Schneeberg said in a statement: “Fairfax is a long-term value investor in Canada and around the world. We are grateful for its belief in the leadership of our studio and we look forward to a dynamic journey forward in our pursuit of building a world-class content creation and rights management company.”

Young added: “This new capital will provide us with the platform from which to execute our ambitious growth plans, not only within Canada but beyond our borders into the US and other international markets.”