Recent Media & Entertainment Acquisitions
Acquisition Volume in Media & Entertainment by Year
Last 5 years
This page summarizes recent acquisitions across Media & Entertainment, covering music and rights services, CTV ad‑tech, esports and events, regional news, post‑production and creator monetization. Transactions such as Virgin Music Group acquiring Downtown Music Holdings, Cineverse Corp. buying IndiCue, and RTS (with Qiddiya Investment Company) acquiring Evolution Championship Series (Evo) illustrate the strategic variety.
Active buyers include private equity and strategic media groups as well as platform and venture buyers. Many deals prioritize integrating technology and monetization (ad‑tech and subscription), expanding regional footprints and adding live‑events or production capabilities to existing content ecosystems.
What Stands Out
- Strategic tech integrations: buyers are adding monetization and ad‑tech capabilities — e.g., Cineverse Corp. integrating IndiCue into its Matchpoint CTV platform.
- Creator and rights consolidation: music and creator services are combining distribution, publishing and subscription tools — e.g., Virgin Music Group + Downtown Music Holdings; Red Seat Ventures + Supercast.
- Events, esports and sports media expansion: transactions are building event ecosystems and global reach — e.g., RTS/Qiddiya with Evo, Prep Network with Coast 2 Coast Preps, Professional Triathletes Organisation with Challenge Family.
- Regional and production capability growth: buyers are broadening local news and post‑production footprints across the US and Europe — e.g., Spectrum Networks acquiring NECN, TransPerfect acquiring Omnimago, DRPG acquiring Liquona.
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March 19, 2026
- Buyer
- Podpage
- Target
- School of Podcasting
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Podpage announced it has acquired the School of Podcasting, a long-running podcast education platform founded in 2005 by Dave Jackson. Podpage plans to expand access by introducing a free tier and by integrating School of Podcasting education more deeply into its creator ecosystem, including redesigned tracks and guest instructors.
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- Buyer
- Concord
- Target
- Ninja Tune Records, Just Isn't Music
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Type
- Buyout
Concord has acquired U.K.-based independent record label Ninja Tune Records to expand its UK and European footprint and add the label to its roster. The deal also includes Ninja Tune’s publishing arm, Just Isn't Music, bringing Ninja Tune’s catalog and its songwriter/producer roster into Concord’s portfolio.
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March 13, 2026
- Buyer
- SPIN
- Target
- Live For Live Music
- Seller
- Kunj Shah
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Buyout
SPIN announced it has acquired Live For Live Music, a community-driven media and events platform focused on live music culture and the jam band scene. The deal is expected to expand SPIN’s live-event presence and audience development while giving Live For Live Music access to SPIN’s broader infrastructure and platform reach.
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- Buyer
- Banijay Group, RedBird IMI
- Target
- Banijay Entertainment, All3Media
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Type
- Buyout
Banijay Group announced a strategic transaction to combine Banijay Entertainment and All3Media, creating a global media and entertainment powerhouse operating under the Banijay name. The combined company will be jointly owned by Banijay Group and RedBird IMI (50% each), with RedBird IMI rolling over its equity stake in All3Media into the new entity.
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March 12, 2026
- Buyer
- Laura Schneider, Tim Schneider, Schneider Publishing Company
- Target
- Palisadian-Post
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- California, United States
- Type
- Buyout
The Palisadian-Post, a historic local newspaper serving Pacific Palisades, California, has been acquired by Laura Schneider and Tim Schneider. The new owners plan to relaunch it as a digital-first, multimedia communications platform focused on independent and fact-checked journalism and rebuilding local community connections after the area’s fire.
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March 7, 2026
- Buyer
- Ninja Kidz Action Parks
- Target
- Flight Adventure Park
- Seller
- Steven L. Yeffa (stepping down as CEO and moving to an advisory role)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Buyout
Ninja Kidz Action Parks announced it has acquired Flight Adventure Park to accelerate the growth of its indoor action and adventure entertainment platform for families. The deal combines Ninja Kidz’s immersive, movement-focused attractions with Flight Adventure Park’s operating infrastructure and national footprint to enable faster market entry and expanded park formats.
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March 6, 2026
- Buyer
- Axel Springer
- Target
- Telegraph Media Group (TMG)
- Seller
- RedBird IMI
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Type
- Buyout
Axel Springer has reached an agreement with RedBird IMI to acquire Telegraph Media Group (TMG) for £575 million in cash (about $766 million). The companies expect the deal to preserve the Telegraph brand and support further digital growth, including expansion in the United States and technology transformation with AI.
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- Buyer
- Allen Family Capital
- Target
- Starz Entertainment Corp.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Allen Family Capital (Byron Allen’s family office) acquired a 10.7% beneficial stake in Starz Entertainment Corp for $25 million, purchasing 1,803,786 common shares at $13.86 per share. The transaction closed on March 5, 2026, and Allen Family Capital said it will evaluate its position and may increase or decrease holdings over time.
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March 5, 2026
- Buyer
- Synergy Sports Capital
- Target
- Atlético Dallas, High-growth emerging sports leagues and related sports ecosystem assets
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Texas, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Synergy Sports Capital, a newly launched control-focused private equity firm based in Houston, plans to pursue controlling stakes in high-growth emerging sports leagues, teams, and related sports ecosystem ventures. The firm says it will use its Synergy Sports Operating System to integrate technology, data analytics, media strategy, and stadium-anchored real estate development, with earlier liquidity pathways via multiple monetization routes.
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- Buyer
- Onetag
- Target
- Aryel
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Italy
- Type
- Buyout
Onetag, backed by PE sponsor Wise Equity, announced it has acquired Aryel, an Italian ad tech company focused on immersive and interactive advertising experiences. The deal combines Aryel’s formats and creative-performance data with Onetag’s global programmatic exchange and AI-driven decisioning to create a unified value exchange for the open internet.
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- Buyer
- Axel Springer, Morning Brew Inc.
- Target
- Bisnow
- Seller
- The Wicks Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New York, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Axel Springer acquired Bisnow, a commercial real estate media and events platform, to expand its presence in the U.S. B2B media market. The transaction closed on March 2, and financial terms were not disclosed. Bisnow will join Morning Brew Inc. within a newly formed division called Brew Media Group, while continuing to operate independently under its existing leadership team.
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February 27, 2026
- Buyer
- Paramount Skydance Corporation
- Target
- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New York, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Paramount Skydance has commenced an unsolicited all-cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Warner Bros. Discovery for $30.00 per share. WBD’s board later determined that Paramount Skydance’s revised $31.00-per-share proposal is a “Company Superior Proposal” under its merger agreement with Netflix, triggering a four-business-day match period for Netflix’s deal terms.
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February 26, 2026
- Buyer
- Prep Network
- Target
- Coast 2 Coast Preps
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Texas, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Prep Network, a youth sports media and events platform headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota, has acquired Coast 2 Coast Preps, a Dallas-based leader in middle school basketball events and coverage. The deal expands Prep Network's basketball ecosystem by creating a unified pathway from middle school to high school athletics and adds scale to its events and content offerings.
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February 25, 2026
- Buyer
- RTS, Qiddiya Investment Company
- Target
- Evolution Championship Series (Evo)
- Seller
- NODWIN Gaming
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- California, United States
- Type
- Buyout
RTS has acquired the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) from NODWIN Gaming, with RTS now operating Evo under the broader ownership and strategic direction of Qiddiya Investment Company. The deal preserves Evo’s leadership and identity while aligning the franchise with Qiddiya City’s Gaming & Esports District development and global expansion plans.
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February 23, 2026
- Buyer
- HubSpot
- Target
- Starter Story
- Seller
- Pat Walls
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New York, United States
- Type
- Buyout
HubSpot has acquired Starter Story, the entrepreneur-focused media brand founded by Pat Walls, in a deal that marks a full exit for Walls. Starter Story will join HubSpot Media and continue operating under its own brand while gaining HubSpot's distribution and media infrastructure; financial terms were not disclosed.
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February 23, 2026
- Buyer
- Virgin Music Group, Universal Music Group (global independent music division)
- Target
- Downtown Music Holdings LLC
- Seller
- Justin Kalifowitz (Founder, Downtown Music Holdings), Andrew Bergman (Chairman of Downtown; later advisory role)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Netherlands
- Type
- Buyout
Virgin Music Group (VMG) and Universal Music Group’s global independent music division entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Downtown Music Holdings LLC for $775 million in cash. The deal was subject to regulatory approvals and was expected to close in the second half of 2025, creating a combined end-to-end platform serving independent artists, entrepreneurs, and rights holders.
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February 20, 2026
- Buyer
- Nakamoto Inc.
- Target
- BTC Inc, UTXO Management GP, LLC
- Seller
- BTC Inc. securityholders, UTXO Management securityholders
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Tennessee, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Nakamoto Inc. (NASDAQ: NAKA) completed the acquisition of BTC Inc., a leading Bitcoin-focused media and events operator, and UTXO Management GP, LLC, an investment adviser focused on Bitcoin companies. The transaction was paid in Nakamoto common stock (364,795,104 shares, valued at $81.63 million based on the Feb 19, 2026 close) and brings BTC Inc. and UTXO in as wholly owned subsidiaries, adding approximately $80.5 million of combined revenue (12 months ended Sept 30, 2025).
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February 19, 2026
- Buyer
- Scopely
- Target
- Pixel Flow! development studio (Istanbul-based studio behind mobile puzzle game “Pixel Flow!”)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Turkey
- Type
- Buyout
Scopely entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in the Istanbul-based development studio behind the hybrid-casual mobile puzzle game “Pixel Flow!”. The deal expands Scopely’s development footprint in Turkey as the founding team continues to lead the studio from Istanbul.
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February 16, 2026
- Buyer
- Spectrum Networks (Charter Communications)
- Target
- New England Cable News (NECN)
- Seller
- New England Cable News, NBCUniversal
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Spectrum Networks, a division of Charter Communications, agreed to acquire substantially all assets of New England Cable News (NECN) from NECN and NBCUniversal. The deal will fold NECN into Spectrum News, expand Spectrum's regional footprint across New England, and consolidate NECN's distribution agreements under Spectrum News NECN based in Massachusetts.
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February 13, 2026
- Buyer
- DRPG
- Target
- Liquona
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Surrey, United Kingdom
- Type
- Buyout
DRPG has acquired Southeast-based boutique production agency Liquona and will base the team at the group's new London HQ, Studio Dean Street in Soho. The deal strengthens DRPG’s London presence and expands its film and animation capabilities by integrating Liquona’s live action, animation, 3D and VR production expertise.
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February 13, 2026
- Buyer
- TransPerfect
- Target
- Omnimago GmbH
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Type
- Buyout
TransPerfect has acquired Omnimago GmbH, a German film restoration and post-production studio, to join its TransPerfect Media division. The purchase expands TransPerfect Media's studio footprint in Germany and strengthens its European restoration and post-production capabilities; financial terms were not disclosed.
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February 12, 2026
- Buyer
- Hovercraft Ventures
- Target
- Visual Endeavors
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- California, United States
- Type
- Addon
Hovercraft Ventures, a global experience and innovation venture platform, has acquired Visual Endeavors, a Santa Cruz–based design and creative solutions agency known for immersive live-entertainment and experiential work. Visual Endeavors will join Hovercraft's roster (which includes Raw Cereal, Hovercraft and OMM) and bring proprietary technical capabilities such as the PixelCannon rendering platform and a large BlackTrax tracking rental inventory to the platform.
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- Buyer
- Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO)
- Target
- Challenge Family
- Seller
- Y11 Sports & Media
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Flevoland, Netherlands
- Type
- Buyout
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has acquired a majority shareholding in Challenge Family from Y11 Sports & Media to integrate the race series into the newly announced Triathlon World Tour. The deal will see Challenge Family events continue under their brand through 2026 while PTO and World Triathlon plan a unified global Triathlon World Tour launching in 2027 to expand the sport's commercial potential and competition structure.
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February 10, 2026
- Buyer
- Red Seat Ventures
- Target
- Supercast
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Red Seat Ventures, a division of Fox Corporation's Tubi Media Group, has acquired Supercast, a podcast subscription platform founded in 2019. Supercast will continue to operate autonomously under founder and CEO Jason Sew Hoy, and the acquisition expands Red Seat Ventures' creator-focused digital services to unify advertising and subscription monetization and accelerate product and team investment.
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February 10, 2026
- Buyer
- New York-based media investment company (name not disclosed)
- Target
- BondIt Media Capital (BondIt)
- Seller
- Accord Financial Corp.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Accord Financial Corp. has closed the sale of its 60% interest in BondIt Media Capital to a New York-based media investment company. The transaction generated $8.9 million in gross proceeds, including $6.8 million in cash and a $2.2 million minority investment in the acquiring entity, which Accord plans to use to pay down its primary banking facility.
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February 9, 2026
- Buyer
- HOLYWATER TECH
- Target
- Jeynix
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Type
- Buyout
HOLYWATER (rebranded as HOLYWATER TECH) has acquired Jeynix, an AI-assisted visual effects and post-production studio, bringing Jeynix’s core technical team and proprietary workflows in-house. The acquisition strengthens HOLYWATER TECH’s ability to deliver cinematic-quality, AI-powered visual effects across its content platforms and accelerate localized production at scale.
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February 8, 2026
- Buyer
- The Light Park, Guideboat Capital
- Target
- Holiday Supply Shop
- Seller
- Matt Thompson
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Type
- Addon
The Light Park, an operator of large-scale drive-thru holiday light attractions backed by Guideboat Capital, acquired Holiday Supply Shop, a walk-thru holiday light park operator founded by Matt Thompson. The deal adds a pedestrian-focused and stadium/large-venue operating platform to expand The Light Park’s holiday entertainment footprint beyond drive-thru experiences.
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- Buyer
- CVC Global Sport Group
- Target
- Equine Network
- Seller
- Growth Catalyst Partners
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Addon
CVC Global Sport Group has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Equine Network. The stake is being purchased from Growth Catalyst Partners, and the deal is expected to close in Q2 2026 subject to regulatory approvals.
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February 6, 2026
- Buyer
- Create Music Group, Create Capital
- Target
- Nettwerk Music Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Create Music Group’s investment arm, Create Capital, has entered into a definitive agreement to invest over USD $300 million into Vancouver-headquartered Nettwerk Music Group to complete a management buyout from existing investors. The deal is expected to close later in February and will allow Nettwerk management to increase its ownership stake while Nettwerk remains independently owned and operated.
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February 5, 2026
- Buyer
- Genius Sports Limited
- Target
- Legend
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- India
- Type
- Buyout
Genius Sports (NYSE: GENI) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Legend, a global digital sports and gaming media network, in a transaction valued at up to $1.2 billion ($900 million at closing plus an earnout of up to $300 million). The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
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February 3, 2026
- Buyer
- Popfly
- Target
- Mount
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New York, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Popfly has integrated Mount, a VC-backed travel startup, into its creator platform; Mount founders Madi Rifkin and Casey Evans will join Popfly's team. The acquisition brings Mount's travel creator community and network of hosts, brands, and tour operators into Popfly's creator discovery, collaboration, and campaign management ecosystem to accelerate Popfly's expansion into travel and short‑term rental experiences.
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February 2, 2026
- Buyer
- VENU+, ZCG Private Equity
- Target
- Tiburon Lockers
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New Jersey, United States
- Type
- Addon
ZCG-backed VENU+ has acquired Tiburon Lockers, a U.S.-based provider of electronic rental locker systems for high-traffic entertainment and leisure venues. The add-on expands VENU+'s smart locker capabilities and strengthens its North America presence while integrating Tiburon's customized locker solutions into VENU+'s tech-enabled guest mobility and storage platform.
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February 2, 2026
- Buyer
- SVCV Holding Company (BCKD Capital), BCKD Capital
- Target
- Hyped Media
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Hong Kong
- Type
- Buyout
BCKD Capital’s newly launched multinational holding company, SVCV, has acquired Hyped Media, a Hong Kong–based digital media firm that publishes outlets including TheBritExpress, CelebDispatch, TheWorldExpress, The Pose, and Le Protagonist. The deal is SVCV’s first acquisition as it pursues a strategy to build a global media and content platform through an acquisition-driven roadmap and new branded initiatives.
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February 1, 2026
- Buyer
- Forum Communications Co.
- Target
- Fergus Falls Daily Journal, Wahpeton Daily News, Hankinson News Monitor, Williston Herald, Pierre Capital Journal, Madison Daily Leader, Sidney Herald
- Seller
- Wick Communications
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- North Dakota, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Forum Communications Co. has acquired seven daily newspapers across four Upper Midwest states from Wick Communications, including the Fergus Falls Daily Journal, Pierre Capital Journal, Madison Daily Leader, Williston Herald, Wahpeton Daily News, Hankinson News Monitor, and Sidney Herald. The deal is effective February 1, with the ownership transition taking place then, while Forum begins onboarding immediately.
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January 31, 2026
- Buyer
- Mediawan
- Target
- The North Road Company
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Buyout
Mediawan signed an agreement to acquire The North Road Company, a U.S.-based independent studio founded by Peter Chernin. The deal is intended to create one of the world’s largest independent content groups, with North Road serving as Mediawan’s North American hub and leadership teams continuing in place.
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January 31, 2026
- Buyer
- ESPN
- Target
- NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, RedZone rights
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Buyout
ESPN completed its acquisition of NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone rights, with U.S. and non-U.S. antitrust regulators approving the deal. The NFL will take a 10% stake in the network, while retaining operation of key digital assets such as NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, and related channels and properties.
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January 30, 2026
- Buyer
- BeatStars
- Target
- Lemonaide AI
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New York, United States
- Type
- Buyout
BeatStars has acquired Lemonaide AI, a generative music startup focused on consent-based model training, to integrate ethical AI tooling into its rights-first music platform. Lemonaide's co-founders will join BeatStars to lead technology and innovation as the company embeds transparent attribution and creator compensation into AI-assisted music workflows.
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January 30, 2026
- Buyer
- Connect Media
- Target
- Networld Media Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Kentucky, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Connect Media, a Los Angeles-based B2B media company, has acquired Louisville-based Networld Media Group, a business-to-business news and events operator serving the restaurant, retail, banking and self-service technology sectors. The deal expands Connect Media's media and events footprint into adjacent verticals and grows the combined team's headcount to more than 60 employees; terms were not disclosed.
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January 30, 2026
- Buyer
- Utopai East, Utopai Studios
- Target
- Alquimista Media
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Seoul, South Korea
- Type
- Buyout
Utopai East, launched through a joint venture led by Utopai Studios, has acquired 100% of Seoul-based Alquimista Media to establish a fully owned studio in Korea. The acquisition gives Utopai East access to Alquimista's active slate of scripted TV and film projects and local production leadership to scale Korean and regional IP for global audiences.
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- Buyer
- IKON Capital, Bolt Ventures, Main Street Advisors, TRAIL SLAM, Pierre Gasly, ALK Capital, Barry English, Tom Stafford, Charles de Carvalho, Richard Cook
- Target
- Red Bull KTM Tech3
- Seller
- Hervé Poncharal
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Type
- Buyout
IKON Capital led an investor group including David Blitzer's Bolt Ventures and Main Street Advisors to acquire Red Bull KTM Tech3, a long-tenured MotoGP team based in France. The new ownership has installed Guenther Steiner as CEO and plans to professionalize Tech3's commercial operations, boost sporting performance, and grow franchise value through increased fan engagement and sponsor activation.
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January 29, 2026
- Buyer
- REV Entertainment
- Target
- Long Island Ducks
- Seller
- Frank Boulton
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- New York, United States
- Type
- Buyout
REV Entertainment, the sports and entertainment arm of the Texas Rangers, has purchased the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. Founding owner Frank Boulton will remain in an advisory role; financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition brings the Ducks into REV's growing portfolio of minor-league and partner-league clubs.
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- Buyer
- Rob Gough
- Target
- Fireballs (World Jai‑Alai League)
- Seller
- World Jai‑Alai League (WJAL)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Florida, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Entrepreneur and investor Rob Gough purchased the Fireballs professional jai‑alai team from the World Jai‑Alai League (WJAL) in what the league described as the first perpetual (in‑perpetuity) franchise sale. WJAL said the move shifts its business model toward long‑term franchise ownership to attract sustained investment, deepen team brand equity, and support modernization of the sport and new revenue streams around live events and digital distribution.
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January 29, 2026
- Buyer
- Launchpoint
- Target
- Kashie.AI
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Buyout
Launchpoint, a New York-based creator marketing company, has acquired AI-driven music content platform Kashie.AI in a transaction valued at $300,000. Founders Richard Ahn and Albert Zhang will join Launchpoint (Ahn as CMO, Zhang as founding engineer) as the buyer integrates Kashie's AI short-form music content capabilities into its product roadmap.
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January 29, 2026
- Buyer
- USA TODAY Co., Apollo (via affiliates managed funds)
- Target
- The Detroit News
- Seller
- MediaNews Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Michigan, United States
- Type
- Buyout
USA TODAY Co. has signed a binding letter of intent with MediaNews Group to acquire The Detroit News. The deal is intended as a strategic investment to expand the USA TODAY Network’s local reach in the Detroit metropolitan area, with The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News continuing to publish separately.
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January 28, 2026
- Buyer
- CherryRoad Media
- Target
- The Carrollton Democrat
- Seller
- Main Street Media (MSM), Frank Mercer
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Missouri, United States
- Type
- Buyout
CherryRoad Media has acquired The Carrollton Democrat from Main Street Media (MSM). The deal, which closed January 28, 2026, expands CherryRoad's community newspaper footprint in Missouri and transfers ownership from long-time owner Frank Mercer to CherryRoad Media (a subsidiary of CherryRoad Technologies).
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January 28, 2026
- Buyer
- Black Knight Football Club (BKFC), Cannae Holdings, Inc.
- Target
- FC Lorient
- Seller
- Loïc Féry
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Brittany, France
- Type
- Buyout
Black Knight Football Club (BKFC) acquired the remaining 60% equity interests in FC Lorient, making BKFC the club's sole shareholder. Former majority owner Loïc Féry received part of his consideration in BKFC shares, will remain president of FC Lorient, and the deal furthers BKFC's multi-club integration and strategic collaboration across its platform.
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- Buyer
- Blue Ant Media Corporation
- Target
- Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Blue Ant Media Corporation acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. via a court-approved plan of arrangement. The deal closed on January 28, 2026, with consideration paid as a mix of Blue Ant shares and $40 million in cash (subject to election and proration).
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January 28, 2026
- Buyer
- Sterling Partners, Universal Music Group
- Target
- Stationhead, Mellomanic
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- California, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Stationhead and Mellomanic have merged under the Stationhead name to create a unified fan-engagement and "first listen" platform for artists, labels, and fans. The combined company received new investments from Sterling Partners and Universal Music Group (which also signed a commercial agreement), with David Rappaport named CEO and leadership roles for Stationhead co-founder Ryan Star and Sterling's Steven Taslitz.
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January 27, 2026
- Buyer
- 3STEP Sports
- Target
- War Combat
- Seller
- Dagin Bailey (founder of War Combat)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- United States
- Type
- Buyout
3STEP Sports has acquired War Combat, a Southeast-based combat sports event operator, and launched Combat Life — a national platform combining War Combat with existing portfolio brand Nuway Combat to host 40+ wrestling and jiu-jitsu events across 11 states. The deal expands 3STEP's event footprint and creates a connected pathway for athletes through professionally managed combat sports competitions.
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- Buyer
- GTCR, Ascent Sports Group, Ares, Susquehanna Growth Equity
- Target
- LiveBarn
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Quebec, Canada
- Type
- Buyout
Chicago private equity firm GTCR has acquired Montreal-headquartered youth sports streaming platform LiveBarn in a deal valued at roughly $400 million, according to multiple reports. The acquisition is aimed at investing in the fragmented youth and amateur sports ecosystem and expands GTCR’s newly formed Ascent Sports Group strategy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of buyers are active in Media & Entertainment acquisitions?
A mix of strategic media groups, private equity, tech/platform buyers and venture or corporate venture arms. Recurring names on this page include firms such as EagleTree Capital, Providence Equity Partners, and operating buyers like SEGA Europe and FuseFX.
Which subsectors are attracting the most deal activity?
Recent activity is concentrated in music and rights services, CTV ad‑tech and monetization, esports/events, regional news and studio/post‑production services, plus creator/podcast monetization platforms.
Are these deals geographically concentrated?
Many transactions are U.S.-based (notably California, New York, Texas and Massachusetts), but there is meaningful cross‑border activity in Europe and Canada — examples include deals in Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and British Columbia.
Do deal structures include earnouts or non‑cash consideration?
Yes. Examples on this page include earnouts in the Cineverse Corp. acquisition of IndiCue (up to $18M earnouts) and stock consideration in Nakamoto Inc.'s purchase of BTC Inc. (shares issued valued per closing price).