Shout! Studios buys distributor Gravitas Ventures from Anthem Sports & Entertainment 

LA-based media company Shout! Studios has acquired distributor Gravitas Ventures from Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

Garson Foos

The deal, financial details of which were not disclosed, will bring around 3,300 hours of scripted, unscripted and sports-focused film, documentary and TV content under Shout! Studios’ control, which said it “remains highly committed to expanding its growing content portfolio by acquiring entertainment companies and major content libraries.”

Both Shout! Studios, which is backed by asset management firm Oaktree Capital Management, and Gravitas Ventures will continue to operate as distinct brands following the deal. LA-based Salem Partners acted as the financial and investment advisor to Anthem and Gravitas.

The deal comes around three-and-a-half years after Anthem Sports & Entertainment bought Gravitas Ventures from Red Arrow Studios for US$73m. In September, Anthem Sports & Entertainment entered into an agreement to acquire Canadian independent television network Hollywood Suite.

“Gravitas represents the next step in our continued expansion of the catalogue at Shout.  We are excited to join forces with the Gravitas team and see several opportunities to expand distribution of the combined library,” said Shout! Studios CEO Garson Foos.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Gravitas to the Shout! family and believe it represents another successful example of Shout’s ability to identify and execute upon attractive library acquisitions in the space. We are excited to continue to support the entire Shout team as we pursue other organic growth and M&A opportunities going forward” said Jared Frandle, who serves as managing director for Oaktree’s special situations strategy.