<\/p>\n
Blink49 Studios<\/strong> today announced the acquisition of Lighthearted Entertainment, the acclaimed and long-established unscripted production company behind long-running hits including Ready to Love, Are You The One? and Queen\u2019s Court<\/em>. The deal includes Lighthearted\u2019s <\/strong>active productions, extensive content library, and projects currently in development.<\/p>\n This acquisition marks Blink49\u2019s next major corporate expansion as it continues building its global unscripted division and deepening its commitment to premium reality and formats. As part of the acquisition, Rob LaPlante and Jeff Spangler<\/strong> will take on newly created roles as Co-Presidents, Formats, Blink49 Studios<\/strong>. Reporting to Tara Long, <\/strong>Global President, Unscripted Television, Blink49 Studios,<\/strong> they will oversee the company\u2019s formats strategy across development, production, and global growth initiatives. \u00a0<\/p>\n LC<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\u00a0
\nThe integration with Blink49<\/strong> will provide expanded development support, greater access to international buyers, and the ability to leverage Canada\u2019s thriving production ecosystem, including incentives, talent pipelines, and collaborative opportunities for cost-effective format incubation.
\n\u00a0
\n‘Lighthearted Entertainment<\/strong> has built a remarkable legacy in the unscripted space, and we\u2019re excited to welcome them into the Blink49 family’, said John Morayniss<\/strong>, Chief Executive Officer, Blink49 Studios<\/strong>. ‘This acquisition marks an important step in expanding our formats business and broadening the scope of what we can deliver to buyers worldwide. With Lighthearted\u2019s creative leadership and approach to building scalable unscripted IP, Blink49 is well positioned to accelerate growth across high-demand genres’.
\n\u00a0
\n‘With their proven track record of creating hit unscripted formats and long-running series, Lighthearted <\/strong>is a key addition to our unscripted group. Rob and Jeff\u2019s creative vision and leadership will strengthen our development pipeline and unlock new opportunities across Canada and the international marketplace’,\u00a0 said Tara Long,<\/strong> Global President, Unscripted, Blink49 Studios.<\/strong>
\n\u00a0
\n‘Joining forces with Blink49 is an exciting new chapter as we unite two strong creative engines. By combining our development, production, and distribution strengths, we\u2019re positioned to expand our slate, grow our partnerships, and deliver high-impact unscripted formats around the world. We couldn\u2019t be more excited to help lead Blink49 <\/strong>global formats into the future of unscripted’,\u00a0 said Rob LaPlante <\/strong>and Jeff Spangler,<\/strong> Co-Presidents, Lighthearted Entertainment.\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u00a0
\nFounded in 1992 by the late Howard Schultz, Lighthearted has built a reputation as a \u201cgo-to producer\u201d of distinctive, character-driven formats and successful long-running series. LaPlante and Spangler have continued Schultz\u2019s legacy by delivering consistently high-performing programming across major U.S. networks and global platforms including Netflix, Peacock, Fox, ABC, OWN, MTV, and VH1.
\n\u00a0
\nThe deal was negotiated by Nelson Kuo-Lee, Chief Operating Officer, Blink49 Studios and Ron Milkes and Bryan Bowles of Bryor Media Partners on behalf of Lighthearted Entertainment.<\/strong>
\n\u00a0
\nThe acquisition of Lighthearted Entertainment <\/strong>follows a period of accelerated growth for Blink49. Over the past year, the company has expanded its footprint through acquisitions including Canadian scripted producer Pier21 Films and digital-first comedy production and management company Stapleview, as well as a long-term partnership with Bell Media to co-develop and co-finance original content across genres. These moves reinforce Blink49\u2019s ambition to build a diversified global content studio with robust capabilities in both scripted and unscripted programming.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n