Media & Entertainment Buyout Acquisitions in 2021

Acquisition Volume in Media & Entertainment Buyout in 2021 by Year

Last 5 years

Acquisition volume by year Annual acquisition counts for the last 5 years for Media & Entertainment Buyout Acquisitions in 2021. 202 2022 118 2023 151 2024 174 2025 ~225 est. 58 2026
Actual Full-year estimate
  • Buyer
    Serata Capital Partners, Ironwood Capital
    Target
    Page Publishing Consortium
    Type
    Buyout

    Serata Capital Partners completed an investment partnership with Page Publishing Consortium in late December 2021 to support accelerated organic growth and an acquisition-driven strategy. The transaction was supported by senior financing from Wintrust Bank and mezzanine/minority equity from Ironwood Capital, positioning Page — a multi-brand self-publishing services group serving over 10,000 authors annually — for expanded scale and add-on activity.

  • Buyer
    Gaia, Inc.
    Target
    Yoga International
    Seller
    The Himalayan Institute
    Type
    Buyout

    Gaia, Inc. acquired Yoga International from the Himalayan Institute, adding roughly 4,000 hours of yoga content to Gaia's streaming library. The acquisition brings Yoga International's global paid subscriber base and deep yoga education content into Gaia's conscious-media platform to support subscriber growth and content expansion.

  • Buyer
    Tarsus Group, Charterhouse Capital Partners
    Target
    FounderMade
    Type
    Buyout

    Tarsus Group, backed by private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners, has acquired FounderMade, a beauty- and wellness-focused trade show and events business. FounderMade will join Tarsus' newly created Tarsus Health division alongside other medical and wellness brands; terms were not disclosed.

  • Buyer
    Valnet Inc.
    Target
    Simple Flying (SimpleFlying.com)
    Seller
    Arran Rice
    Location
    Quebec, Canada
    Type
    Buyout

    Valnet Inc. has completed the acquisition of Simple Flying, a leading online publisher for aviation news and content founded by Arran Rice. The acquisition will integrate Simple Flying into Valnet’s portfolio of digital publishing brands to expand its presence in the aviation vertical and build on the site’s large audience and brand authority.

  • Buyer
    Global
    Target
    Captivate
    Location
    England, United Kingdom
    Type
    Buyout

    Global, the UK media and entertainment group, has acquired podcast hosting, analytics and monetization platform Captivate. The Captivate platform and its founders will be integrated into Global's Global Player and DAX ad stack to expand distribution and monetization options for podcasters.

  • Buyer
    Tencent Holdings Ltd.
    Target
    Turtle Rock Studios
    Seller
    Slamfire, Inc.
    Type
    Buyout

    Tencent Holdings Ltd. has acquired Slamfire, Inc., the parent company of game developer Turtle Rock Studios. Turtle Rock will remain independently operated out of Lake Forest, California, with its existing leadership and team continuing studio operations; the deal expands Tencent's global games portfolio and support for Turtle Rock's future projects.

  • December 17, 2021
    Buyer
    Solotech
    Target
    XR Studios
    Type
    Buyout

    Solotech, a global audiovisual and entertainment technology company, has acquired XR Studios, a Los Angeles–based extended reality and virtual production agency. XR Studios will continue to operate as a separate brand and join Solotech's new Media and Entertainment Technology (MET) Division to expand Solotech's virtual production, XR and live-streaming capabilities. The deal is supported by Solotech's shareholders Claridge, Desjardins Capital and Investissement Québec.

  • Buyer
    Vivendi
    Target
    Lagardère
    Seller
    Amber Capital
    Location
    Île-de-France, France
    Type
    Buyout

    Vivendi acquired 24,685,108 Lagardère shares from Amber Capital at €24.10 per share, taking its stake to roughly 45.1% (45.13% reported) and announced it will file a public tender offer for all remaining Lagardère shares at the same price. The transaction (and the planned tender offer) is positioned as a move to obtain control of Lagardère subject to regulatory approvals; Amber Capital remains the selling party.

  • December 16, 2021
    Buyer
    Comscore
    Target
    Shareablee
    Type
    Buyout

    Comscore has acquired Shareablee, a social media analytics and measurement platform, to integrate Shareablee's social engagement and video insights into Comscore's cross-platform measurement products. The acquisition will expand Comscore's audience measurement capabilities and allow Shareablee's clients access to Comscore's digital data and products; key Shareablee management will remain in leadership roles.

  • Buyer
    Warner Music Group
    Target
    300 Entertainment
    Seller
    Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Roger Gold
    Type
    Buyout

    Warner Music Group (WMG) has acquired independent label 300 Entertainment and will integrate the label into its family of recorded-music businesses while preserving 300’s independent identity and New York headquarters. As part of the deal, 300 co-founder Kevin Liles will be appointed Chairman & CEO across 300 and Elektra Music Group, with the acquisition intended to expand 300’s global footprint and opportunities for its artists.

  • Buyer
    Embracer Group
    Target
    Asmodee
    Seller
    PAI Partners
    Location
    Île-de-France, France
    Type
    Buyout

    Embracer Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Asmodee from private equity owner PAI Partners, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory clearance and work council consultations. PAI Partners will receive proceeds from the sale and will also take an approximate 4% shareholding in Embracer, retaining exposure to the combined group's gaming and entertainment assets.

  • Buyer
    Gambling.com Group Limited
    Target
    Roto Sports, Inc. (RotoWire)
    Type
    Buyout

    Gambling.com Group Limited agreed to acquire Roto Sports, Inc., operator of RotoWire, to accelerate the Group’s U.S. expansion and grow its sports betting-related affiliate revenue. The all‑transaction purchase price is $27.5 million (including $7.5 million deferred), with $20.0 million payable at closing and the remainder paid over the subsequent two years.

  • Buyer
    CyberRisk Alliance
    Target
    Identiverse
    Seller
    Ping Identity
    Type
    Buyout

    CyberRisk Alliance has acquired Identiverse, the annual Identity and Access Management (IAM) conference founded by Ping Identity, with Ping Identity remaining as a founding sponsor. The acquisition expands CRA’s events portfolio into the identity security market and positions Identiverse for broader reach and new business intelligence, content, and marketing partnership opportunities.

  • Buyer
    GAN Limited
    Target
    Silverback Gaming
    Location
    Bulgaria
    Type
    Buyout

    GAN Limited completed the acquisition of Bulgaria- and U.K.-based online casino game developer Silverback Gaming on undisclosed terms, obtaining exclusive global rights to Silverback's existing and future portfolio. The deal is intended to bolster GAN's SuperRGS content offering (including an expected 50 new slot games over three years) and to expand GAN's iGaming content and revenue opportunities in the U.S. market.

  • December 8, 2021
    Buyer
    fuboTV Inc.
    Target
    Molotov SAS
    Location
    Île-de-France, France
    Type
    Buyout

    fuboTV Inc. has completed its acquisition of Molotov SAS, France's leading live TV streaming platform. The deal brings Molotov's Paris-based team and streaming technology (including its AVOD service Mango) into fuboTV to support international expansion and accelerate product and engineering development.

  • Buyer
    Lamar Advertising Company
    Target
    Colossal Media
    Seller
    Paul Lindahl, Adrian Moeller
    Type
    Buyout

    Lamar Advertising Company acquired Colossal Media, a hand-painted wall and mural outdoor-advertising operator that runs 81 large-format displays across New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other U.S. cities. Colossal CEO Kelly Peppers will remain in place; the company was purchased from co-founders Paul Lindahl and Adrian Moeller for an undisclosed price.

  • Buyer
    BuzzFeed, Inc., 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc., Redwood Capital Management, LLC, CrossingBridge Advisors, Cohanzick Management, Silver Rock Financial LP
    Target
    Complex Networks
    Seller
    Hearst, Verizon
    Location
    United States
    Type
    Buyout

    BuzzFeed agreed to merge with SPAC 890 5th Avenue Partners, Inc. to become a publicly listed company, with the combination expected to close in Q4 2021. In connection with the merger, BuzzFeed also agreed to acquire global youth entertainment network Complex Networks for $300 million, consisting of $200 million in cash and $100 million in BuzzFeed equity, with completion expected simultaneously upon closing of the BuzzFeed–890 deal.

  • Buyer
    J&J Ventures Gaming of Pennsylvania, LLC, J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC
    Target
    Second State Gaming, LLC
    Seller
    Gary Brewer
    Type
    Buyout

    J&J Ventures Gaming of Pennsylvania, LLC has acquired substantially all of the assets of Second State Gaming, LLC, a Harrisburg-based video gaming terminal operator majority-owned by Gary Brewer. The acquisition expands J&J's terminal operator footprint into Pennsylvania, combining J&J's reporting and marketing capabilities with Second State's truck-stop customization and route management.

  • Buyer
    Abry Partners, Best Lawyers management
    Target
    Best Lawyers (BL Rankings, LLC)
    Seller
    Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
    Type
    Buyout

    Boston-based private equity firm Abry Partners acquired Best Lawyers, a provider of peer-reviewed legal rankings and marketing services headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, in a deal that also included Best Lawyers' management team. Levine Leichtman Capital Partners sold the company; financial terms were not disclosed. Abry said the investment will support continued product, technology and geographic growth.

  • Buyer
    Pioneer Media Holdings Inc.
    Target
    Kodoku Studios Limited
    Seller
    Kodoku Studios shareholders
    Location
    England, United Kingdom
    Type
    Buyout

    Pioneer Media Holdings Inc. has completed its acquisition of London-based Kodoku Studios Limited, a developer and publisher of NFT-based games. The consideration was CAD 850,000 in cash (subject to holdback) plus 8,000,000 common shares of Pioneer (subject to escrow and resale restrictions).

  • Buyer
    Dotdash (IAC)
    Target
    Meredith Holdings Corp.
    Seller
    Meredith shareholders
    Type
    Buyout

    IAC's Dotdash completed its acquisition of Meredith Holdings Corp. in an all-cash transaction at $42.18 per share, creating Dotdash Meredith — the largest digital and print publisher in the United States. The combined company, headquartered in New York City and led by CEO Neil Vogel, unites Meredith's iconic magazine brands and first-party data with Dotdash's digital and e-commerce capabilities to scale advertising and digital revenue.

  • Buyer
    ESE Entertainment Inc.
    Target
    GameAddik
    Location
    Quebec, Canada
    Type
    Buyout

    ESE Entertainment Inc. entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 9327-7358 Quebec Inc. DBA GameAddik, a Quebec-based gaming technology and performance marketing company. The deal consideration includes cash and common shares of ESE; GameAddik reported CA$24.0 million in revenue and CA$4.7 million in operating income for fiscal 2020, and will operate as ESE's gaming technology unit to strengthen its user-acquisition capabilities and expand into new end markets such as iGaming.

  • December 1, 2021
    Buyer
    fuboTV Inc.
    Target
    Edisn.ai
    Location
    Karnataka, India
    Type
    Buyout

    fuboTV Inc. has completed the acquisition of Edisn.ai, a Bangalore-based AI computer vision platform. The deal brings Edisn.ai's video recognition technology and a team of nearly two dozen data scientists and engineers into fuboTV to enhance live sports interactivity, ad tech capabilities, and program/dvr accuracy; Edisn.ai's co-founder and CEO Ashok Karanth will join fuboTV as general manager, fuboTV India.

  • Buyer
    Zordix AB (publ)
    Target
    Maximum Games
    Type
    Buyout

    Swedish gaming group Zordix AB (publ) acquired U.S.-based publisher Maximum Games for $42 million upfront in cash and shares plus an estimated $30 million earn-out in cash and shares. The deal brings Maximum's Modus Games label and Modus Studios (Brazil) into Zordix, expanding the group's publishing, distribution and development capabilities to drive global growth in the AA games segment.

  • Buyer
    Fenway Sports Group (FSG)
    Target
    Pittsburgh Penguins
    Seller
    Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle
    Type
    Buyout

    Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins, subject to approval by the NHL Board of Governors, with the deal expected to close before year-end. Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle will remain part of the ownership group and Mario Lemieux will continue to guide hockey operations; senior management at the club will remain in place.

  • Buyer
    TrillerNet, Triller
    Target
    Thuzio
    Type
    Buyout

    Triller, via its parent company TrillerNet, has acquired Thuzio, a New York–based B2B provider of premium influencer events and experiences. The acquisition adds Thuzio's live-event production and influencer access to Triller's existing live-event and content assets to expand its live-event programming and brand partnerships.

  • November 23, 2021
    Buyer
    Epic Games
    Target
    Harmonix
    Type
    Buyout

    Epic Games has acquired independent game studio Harmonix, the developer behind Rock Band and Dance Central, to integrate immersive music experiences into Fortnite and support Harmonix’s existing titles. The Harmonix team will collaborate with Epic to develop musical journeys and gameplay for Fortnite as Epic advances its metaverse strategy.

  • Buyer
    Betsperts Media & Technology Group
    Target
    4for4.com
    Type
    Buyout

    Betsperts Media & Technology Group has acquired 4for4.com, a subscription-based sports betting and fantasy football research and analytics site. The deal adds premium content and decision-support tools to Betsperts' portfolio (including the Fantasy Life app), expanding its audience and subscription offerings.

  • Buyer
    Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc.
    Target
    Outplayed, Inc. (U.GG)
    Seller
    Outplayed, Inc., Shinggo Lu, Alan Liang, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
    Type
    Buyout

    Enthusiast Gaming Holdings Inc. acquired Outplayed, Inc., the owner of U.GG, for approximately $45 million in cash and stock plus up to $12 million in earnouts. The acquisition brings U.GG's ~8 million monthly active League of Legends users and data-driven analytics capabilities into Enthusiast Gaming's media and esports platform to expand its reach in the League of Legends community.

  • Buyer
    LiveOne
    Target
    Palm Beach Records
    Type
    Buyout

    LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) has completed the acquisition of Palm Beach Records, a South Florida-based recording studio and label founded by Christian "Rekstarr" Ocampo. LiveOne will operate Palm Beach Records as a wholly-owned subsidiary and plans to expand the studio's music and podcast operations to sign and break new talent, produce exclusive content for members, and support local events in South Florida.

  • Buyer
    Oak View Group
    Target
    Spectra
    Seller
    Comcast Spectacor
    Type
    Buyout

    Oak View Group (OVG) completed its acquisition of Spectra, the venue management, food & beverage and hospitality business formerly part of Comcast Spectacor, after receiving DOJ approval. The combined company will operate as a full-service live events and entertainment platform, integrating Spectra's venue management and hospitality capabilities with OVG's venue development, sponsorship and facilities services.

  • Buyer
    RWS Entertainment Group
    Target
    JRA
    Seller
    Keith James
    Type
    Buyout

    RWS Entertainment Group has acquired JRA, a Cincinnati-based attraction design and creative studio, expanding RWS into a full-service provider of design, production, performance and operations for attractions and branded experiences. JRA founder Keith James will remain as President of JRA as the combined company pursues global growth across theme parks, museums, cruise ships, resorts and other venues.

  • Buyer
    MoneyLion Inc.
    Target
    MALKA Media Group LLC
    Type
    Buyout

    MoneyLion Inc. has acquired MALKA Media Group LLC, a creator network and content platform, to expand its content capabilities and better engage consumers across digital channels. The acquisition will enable MoneyLion to combine MALKA's creative capabilities with its financial products and first-party data to drive customer acquisition and retention.

  • Buyer
    Private Division, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
    Target
    Roll7
    Location
    England, United Kingdom
    Type
    Buyout

    Private Division, the publishing label of Take-Two Interactive, has acquired London-based game developer Roll7, the studio behind the OlliOlli series. Roll7 will continue developing OlliOlli World and other projects with support from Private Division; financial terms were not disclosed.

  • Buyer
    TPG Real Estate Partners (TREP)
    Target
    Cinespace Studios
    Seller
    Mirkopoulos family, Pissios family
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Type
    Buyout

    TPG Real Estate Partners (TREP), the real estate investment platform of TPG, has acquired Cinespace Studios, a leading independent sound stage operator with major campuses in Toronto and Chicago. The acquisition will support Cinespace’s planned stage development and workforce expansion while TREP aims to build a best-in-class studio platform and expand community workforce programs like the CineCares Foundation.

  • Buyer
    VerticalScope Holdings Inc.
    Target
    Hometalk Inc., Fomopop, Inc. (The Streamable), Threadloom, Inc.
    Location
    United States
    Type
    Buyout

    Toronto-based VerticalScope Holdings Inc. agreed to acquire Hometalk, Fomopop, Inc. (The Streamable) and Threadloom, expanding its portfolio of online communities and accelerating commerce and engagement capabilities. The cash consideration for Hometalk and The Streamable combined is $63.5 million (plus up to $30 million in earnouts), while Threadloom consideration includes newly issued subordinated voting shares and cash with additional contingent share/cash payments.

  • Buyer
    Recurrent Ventures
    Target
    Donut Media
    Type
    Buyout

    Recurrent Ventures has acquired Donut Media, the Los Angeles-based digital automotive media company and the largest automotive brand on YouTube. The acquisition expands Recurrent's video, social, and e-commerce capabilities while keeping Donut's leadership and staff in place to continue producing automotive content and merchandise.

  • Buyer
    Extreme Reach
    Target
    attikSpace
    Type
    Buyout

    Extreme Reach has acquired attikSpace, a Burbank-based full-service media management company, expanding ER's physical and digital asset management and broadcast distribution capabilities. AttikSpace's founders and all employees will join Extreme Reach, and the deal moves attikSpace's media delivery onto ER's global platform to better integrate physical libraries with digital assets.

  • Buyer
    Playmaker Capital Inc.
    Target
    The Nation Network, Daily Faceoff
    Location
    Alberta, Canada
    Type
    Buyout

    Playmaker Capital Inc. (TSX-V: PMKR) acquired 100% of The Nation Network (TNN) and its subsidiary Daily Faceoff (DFO) to establish a presence in Canada and immediately add over 27 million annual users to its audience ecosystem. The aggregate consideration is up to CAD$15 million (cash, shares and an earn‑out), and the deal is intended to expand Playmaker's Canadian reach ahead of broader sports betting legalization in Ontario and to diversify revenue through subscriptions and sportsbook partnerships.

  • Buyer
    Mequoda Systems
    Target
    GreenPrints
    Seller
    Pat Stone
    Type
    Buyout

    Mequoda Systems acquired GreenPrints magazine in an asset-purchase agreement with founder Pat Stone, effective November 1, 2021. The deal included the GreenPrints magazine (12,000 premium subscribers), a product line of books and notecards, and the online store; Mequoda plans to convert the brand into a multi-platform digital publishing operation using its Haven WordPress system and Mequoda methodology.

  • Buyer
    Activision
    Target
    Digital Legends
    Location
    Catalonia, Spain
    Type
    Buyout

    Activision has acquired Barcelona-based mobile game developer Digital Legends, adding the studio to its roster of internal mobile development teams to support an unannounced Call of Duty mobile title. Terms were not disclosed; Digital Legends will help expand Activision’s mobile development capabilities and talent pool.

  • Buyer
    OpenExchange Inc.
    Target
    Veracast Communications, Inc.
    Type
    Buyout

    OpenExchange Inc., a provider of video-enabled virtual event solutions, announced it will acquire Veracast Communications, a Dublin, Ohio-based webcasting and live streaming provider. The combined business will integrate Veracast’s purpose-built webcast platform with OpenExchange’s conferencing and managed services to expand capabilities and scale virtual event production globally.

  • Buyer
    Genius Brands International, Inc.
    Target
    WOW! Unlimited Media Inc.
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Type
    Buyout

    Genius Brands International (NASDAQ: GNUS) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WOW! Unlimited Media Inc. for approximately US$53 million in cash and stock, creating a combined animation and digital media company. The deal adds WOW!'s Frederator and Mainframe studios, a large YouTube network and contracted production backlog, expanding Genius Brands' production capacity, audience demographics and monetization channels.

  • Buyer
    PYMNTS
    Target
    Competition Policy International
    Location
    United States
    Type
    Buyout

    PYMNTS has acquired Competition Policy International (CPI), a leading media platform covering antitrust and competition policy, to expand its editorial coverage into technology regulation and antitrust across the connected economy. CPI will operate as a property of What's Next in Media and Analytics (d/b/a PYMNTS.com) and will augment PYMNTS' content, events, and subscription offerings focused on TechREG topics.

  • Buyer
    Health eCareers
    Target
    Arthur L. Davis Publishing (ALD)
    Seller
    Stephen Miller, Elizabeth Miller
    Type
    Buyout

    Health eCareers, an Everyday Health Group service, has acquired Arthur L. Davis Publishing (ALD), a Cedar Falls-based publisher of digital nursing publications that reaches over 2.6 million nurses through state association partnerships. The deal expands Health eCareers' ability to connect employers, schools, and continuing-education providers with the nursing workforce and broadens its healthcare marketing products and services.

  • Buyer
    Beringer Capital
    Target
    Benzinga
    Type
    Buyout

    Beringer Capital, a North American private equity firm, acquired a majority stake in Detroit-based financial media and analytics platform Benzinga, valuing the company at approximately $300 million. Benzinga founder Jason Raznick will retain a significant ownership stake and continue to lead the business as Beringer supports growth via expanded content verticals, product improvements and deeper B2B partnerships.

  • Buyer
    Guideposts
    Target
    Abide
    Type
    Buyout

    Guideposts has acquired Abide, the Christian meditation and prayer app, to expand its digital footprint and reach. Abide's founders will remain with the product as Guideposts integrates the app to broaden its mission-driven digital services and audience.

  • Buyer
    Azerion
    Target
    Inskin Media
    Location
    England, United Kingdom
    Type
    Buyout

    Azerion has acquired Inskin Media, a UK-based multi-screen, high-impact digital advertising and ad‑tech provider, to integrate its rich-media and programmatic capabilities into Azerion's digital entertainment and advertising platform. The acquisition bolsters Azerion's technology stack and advertising offering as the company pursues pan‑European expansion and deeper publisher and brand relationships.

  • Buyer
    Axel Springer
    Target
    POLITICO, POLITICO Europe (remaining 50% stake), Protocol, E&E News, Agency IQ
    Seller
    Robert L. Allbritton
    Type
    Buyout

    Axel Springer has completed its acquisition of POLITICO and related properties from Robert L. Allbritton, including POLITICO's remaining 50% interest in POLITICO Europe, Protocol, E&E News and Agency IQ. The purchase strengthens Axel Springer's U.S. media footprint and complements its existing digital publishing portfolio as the company pursues further growth in the U.S. market.

  • Buyer
    PLBY Group, Inc.
    Target
    Dream
    Location
    United States
    Type
    Buyout

    PLBY Group, Inc. agreed to acquire Dream, a social content platform that provides creators with tools to interact directly with fans, for up to approximately $30 million paid primarily in PLBY stock. The Dream platform and its development team will form the technology foundation for Playboy's new creator-led site CENTERFOLD, with the transaction expected to close in Q4 2021.

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