Tracked deals
30
30 tracked deals across 2011-2026.
Media & Entertainment Buyers & Acquisitions in Massachusetts
Buyer mix
Strategic-led
27 strategic · 9 pe
Top trend
Volume peaked in 2018
5 tracked deals announced in 2018.
Primary Insight
What Stands Out
- Massachusetts-based deals span digital media, events, and software-enabled content distribution (e.g., marketing media, live video, monitoring/analytics).
- Buyers commonly grow via content + community: adding publishers’ conferences, educational offerings, and business intelligence for targeted audiences.
- Regional consolidation appears in broadcast/TV: NECN assets are set to fold into Spectrum News.
- Entertainment operators continue brands while integrating leadership and programming focus (e.g., the merge of Improv Asylum / Laugh Boston with John Tobin Presents).
- Several deals emphasize “end-to-end” product and market reach through distribution and ongoing brand operations (e.g., Ernie Ball / Source Audio, LiveU / Actus Digital).
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Top Buyers
Illustrative buyers pulled from tracked transactions on this page. This table is capped and intentionally non-exhaustive.
| Buyer | # Deals | Focus | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CyberRisk Alliance | 2 | Provider of business intelligence, media brands and event... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| 4Wall Entertainment | 1 | National provider of entertainment equipment rentals, sal... | Strategic |
| Arc | 1 | B2B events, data and media platform organising 100+ event... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| Big Bus Tours | 1 | Global operator of open-top hop-on hop-off sightseeing bu... | Strategic (PE-backed) |
| Blizzard Entertainment | 1 | Developer and publisher of major video game franchises (W... | Strategic |
| CORSAIR (Corsair Memory, Inc.) | 1 | Global developer and manufacturer of high-performance gam... | Strategic |
| Cambridge Innovation Institute | 1 | Operator of conferences, training and industry publicatio... | Strategic |
| Cinedigm | 1 | Public streaming technology and entertainment company tha... | Strategic |
| EagleTree Capital | 1 | Middle-market private equity firm investing across media,... | PE |
| Elsevier | 1 | Global information analytics and scientific publishing co... | Strategic |
Acquisition Volume in Media & Entertainment in Massachusetts by Year
Last 9 years
Actual
Full-year estimate
Supporting Data
Recent Transactions
-
July 9, 2026
- Buyer
- Ernie Ball Inc.
- Target
- Source Audio
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Ernie Ball entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Source Audio, a Massachusetts-based company behind effects pedals and effects processing software. Source Audio will continue to operate under its own brand as Ernie Ball expands global distribution, dealer support, and market reach for Source Audio’s premium effects.
-
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.
-
November 18, 2025
- Buyer
- CyberRisk Alliance
- Target
- ChannelPro Network
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
CyberRisk Alliance (CRA) has acquired ChannelPro Network, a content and events business serving the SMB Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. The deal expands CRA's cybersecurity and channel-focused business intelligence portfolio by combining ChannelPro's audience, events, and content with CRA's existing brands and resources.
-
- Buyer
- Improv Asylum (Asylum family of companies), Laugh Boston
- Target
- John Tobin Presents
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Boston-based comedy operator Improv Asylum (home to Laugh Boston) has merged with John Tobin Presents, integrating JTP’s operations and team into the Asylum family. John Tobin will serve as Vice President of the Stand-Up Comedy Division to lead booking, talent development, and venue expansion across New England.
-
- Buyer
- LiveU
- Target
- Actus Digital
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
LiveU has completed the acquisition of Actus Digital's business and technology; Actus Digital will operate as "Actus Digital, a LiveU Company" and remain an independent sister brand. The deal adds Actus Digital's intelligent monitoring, compliance logging and AI-enhanced content analytics to LiveU's live IP-video contribution and distribution portfolio, enabling an end-to-end offering across broadcast, sports, government and enterprise markets.
-
October 16, 2024
- Buyer
- Semrush
- Target
- Third Door Media
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Semrush has acquired Third Door Media, the publisher behind Search Engine Land, SMX, MarTech and Digital Marketing Depot. The acquisition brings Third Door Media’s content, conferences and educational offerings into Semrush’s marketing SaaS ecosystem to expand resources, training and reach for digital marketers.
-
- Buyer
- Partner One (affiliate)
- Target
- SeaChange International, Inc.
- Seller
- SeaChange International, Inc.
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
An affiliate of Partner One will acquire substantially all of SeaChange International’s product and services assets for a purchase price of $30 million, less SeaChange's cash and cash equivalents at closing. The asset sale is expected to close in SeaChange’s fiscal 2025 first quarter, subject to shareholder approvals, and SeaChange expects net proceeds of approximately $13–15 million while retaining its cash and NOLs.
-
November 7, 2023
- Buyer
- Willistown Capital, Spring Capital Partners, Merion Investment Partners, Penstock Equity
- Target
- High Output
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
Willistown Capital has made a strategic growth investment in High Output to support the company's continued expansion of event production, AV installations, and soundstage services. Additional financing participants included Spring Capital Partners, Merion Investment Partners and Penstock Equity; founders John Cini and Jim Hirsch will remain in leadership roles.
-
February 2, 2023
- Buyer
- Marquee Brands
- Target
- America's Test Kitchen
- Seller
- Founding shareholders of America's Test Kitchen (existing owners)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Marquee Brands has acquired a controlling majority stake in America's Test Kitchen (ATK), adding the culinary media company — including Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country — to its home and culinary portfolio. The founding shareholders and existing owners will remain investors in the business, and Marquee has appointed Dan Suratt as CEO to help grow ATK across media and commerce channels.
-
- Buyer
- Arc, EagleTree Capital
- Target
- HighQuest Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Addon
Arc, the B2B events, data and media platform backed by funds managed by EagleTree Capital, has acquired the events and media assets of HighQuest Group — including Global AgInvesting, Women in Agribusiness, Unconventional Ag and the Ag Club. The deal is Arc's first US-based acquisition and will expand its agriculture events and media footprint in North America; Canson Capital Partners served as financial adviser to Arc.
-
July 1, 2022
- Buyer
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Target
- Proletariat
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Blizzard Entertainment has acquired Boston-based game studio Proletariat to expand its development pipeline for World of Warcraft. Proletariat — a team of roughly 90 developers known for live-service and cross-platform titles like Spellbreak — will be integrated into Blizzard and help support future Warcraft content and hiring plans.
-
- Buyer
- Endeavor Business Media
- Target
- Microgrid Knowledge
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Endeavor Business Media has acquired Microgrid Knowledge, the online news and information site focused on microgrids and distributed energy resources, along with its Microgrid Conference series. The acquisition adds energy-focused editorial content and an events business to Endeavor’s portfolio, expanding its reach in the energy market and complementing existing energy brands such as T&D World and EnergyTech.
-
January 26, 2022
- Buyer
- MarketCast
- Target
- Invoke
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
MarketCast has acquired Invoke, a real‑time online audience research and content testing platform used by major streaming services and broadcasters. The acquisition brings Invoke's product, technology, and research teams into MarketCast to expand its online entertainment audience testing and content screening capabilities for pre-release streaming and broadcast content.
-
November 23, 2021
- Buyer
- Epic Games
- Target
- Harmonix
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- 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
- Perkin Industries
- Target
- I Love My Dog So Much, LLC
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Perkin Industries has acquired a majority stake in I Love My Dog So Much, LLC, a U.S.-based digital media company focused on dogs and pet owners. The acquisition expands Perkin's media portfolio and gives it access to I Love My Dog So Much's large audience and social reach for advertising and partnership opportunities.
-
- Buyer
- RedBird Capital Partners, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Paul Wachter
- Target
- Fenway Sports Group
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Growth capital
RedBird Capital Partners has made a significant minority investment in Fenway Sports Group (FSG) at an enterprise valuation of $7.35 billion to support accelerated growth and strategic acquisitions across FSG’s sports, media and real estate platform. As part of the transaction, LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Paul Wachter exchange a previously held interest in Liverpool FC to join FSG’s ownership group; Sam Kennedy also converts long-term incentive interests into equity.
-
November 9, 2020
- Buyer
- CORSAIR (Corsair Memory, Inc.)
- Target
- Gamer Sensei
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
CORSAIR (NASDAQ:CRSR) has acquired Gamer Sensei, the esports coaching platform that connects gamers with professional coaches. Gamer Sensei will operate as a subsidiary brand within CORSAIR, expanding CORSAIR's gaming ecosystem and giving players access to coaching and training alongside CORSAIR's hardware and content-creation products.
-
October 19, 2020
- Buyer
- Cinedigm
- Target
- The Film Detective
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Cinedigm has agreed to acquire The Film Detective, a classic film and television content distributor and operator of two FAST channels, adding roughly 3,000 titles and ~10,000 episodes to Cinedigm's streaming portfolio. The Film Detective will continue to operate under founder Philip Hopkins as a standalone brand while Cinedigm plans to expand distribution and launch additional genre channels leveraging its Matchpoint platform.
-
August 17, 2020
- Buyer
- Innovation Women
- Target
- Lioness for the Female Entrepreneur (Lioness Magazine)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Innovation Women, a visibility bureau for entrepreneurial and professional women, has acquired Lioness for the Female Entrepreneur, an online publisher and events platform serving women entrepreneurs, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will combine Lioness's journalism, events and training offerings with Innovation Women’s platform to accelerate global expansion and broaden resources for female founders.
-
January 15, 2020
- Buyer
- Legacy.com, Inc.
- Target
- iPublish Media Solutions
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Legacy.com, the leading online obituary and memorialization provider, has acquired iPublish Media Solutions, a widely used self-serve advertising and obituary placement platform for U.S. newspapers. iPublish will operate independently under Legacy, expanding Legacy's self-serve publishing tools and simplifying obituary placement for publishers, funeral homes, and consumers.
-
February 26, 2019
- Buyer
- CyberRisk Alliance, Growth Catalyst Partners
- Target
- InfoSec World Conference and Expo
- Seller
- MIS Training Institute
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
CyberRisk Alliance, a PE-backed B2B media and events startup led by Doug Manoni, has acquired the InfoSec World Conference & Expo from MIS Training Institute in a carve-out divestiture. The acquisition transfers the event and its staff to CyberRisk Alliance as the new owner — a capability- and community-building move supported by Growth Catalyst Partners.
-
September 10, 2018
- Buyer
- Elsevier
- Target
- Aries Systems
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Elsevier has completed its acquisition of Aries Systems, a North Andover, Massachusetts-based provider of manuscript submission, peer review and publishing workflow solutions. The purchase brings Aries' Editorial Manager and ProduXion Manager offerings into Elsevier's portfolio to strengthen its content-plus-technology strategy for scientific and scholarly publishing.
-
August 21, 2018
- Buyer
- Emerald Expositions Events, Inc.
- Target
- EH Media, Total Tech Summit, CEPro, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales & Integration, Campus Safety
- Seller
- EH Media, Ken Moyes
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Divestiture
Emerald Expositions Events, Inc. acquired a leading technology event and a group of complementary technology intelligence brands from EH Media for approximately $28 million in cash. The purchase includes brands such as Total Tech Summit, CEPro, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales & Integration, and Campus Safety, and brings EH Media's Framingham-based team into Emerald to strengthen Emerald's trade show and digital content capabilities.
-
June 19, 2018
- Buyer
- Harbor Beach Capital, LLC
- Target
- AVFX LLC
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Harbor Beach Capital, a lower-middle-market private equity firm, has acquired AVFX LLC, an event technology and audio-visual production company headquartered in the Boston area. The deal provides founder succession while positioning AVFX for national growth and expansion under Harbor Beach’s ownership, with existing management (President Steve Halling) remaining in leadership.
-
April 19, 2018
- Buyer
- 4Wall Entertainment
- Target
- Advanced Lighting & Production Services (ALPS)
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
4Wall Entertainment has acquired the assets of Boston-based Advanced Lighting & Production Services (ALPS) and will rebrand ALPS' Canton facility as 4Wall Boston. 4Wall will retain ALPS' staff (with founder Steven Way as General Manager and Dan Clawson as Director of Events) and use the 40,000 sq. ft. site to expand its theatrical and corporate event rental, sales, and systems-integration capabilities on the U.S. East Coast.
-
April 18, 2018
- Buyer
- Cambridge Innovation Institute
- Target
- Trends Equity, Inc.
- Seller
- Trends Equity, Inc., Eliot Weinman
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Cambridge Innovation Institute (CII) acquired Westborough, Massachusetts–based Trends Equity, Inc., including the AI World Conference & Expo and the AI Trends publication. The deal expands CII’s events and publishing portfolio into enterprise AI and enables rapid vertical expansion into markets such as healthcare, finance and manufacturing.
-
October 4, 2016
- Buyer
- Big Bus Tours
- Target
- Smart Destinations
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Big Bus Tours has acquired Boston-based Smart Destinations, the producer of the Go City Card multi-attraction passes. The acquisition will let Smart Destinations leverage Big Bus' international footprint to launch Go City Card passes in additional destinations while making Big Bus the primary bus tour provider for the passes where both operate.
-
March 16, 2016
- Buyer
- Verizon Digital Media Services
- Target
- Volicon
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Verizon Digital Media Services has entered an agreement to acquire Volicon, a provider of video capture, archival, compliance monitoring and clip-creation workflows for broadcasters. The acquisition expands Verizon Digital Media Services' video lifecycle capabilities and brings Volicon's technology and customer relationships into Verizon's OTT and online video delivery offerings.
-
- Buyer
- Sandbox Partners
- Target
- Family Education Network (FEN)
- Seller
- Pearson
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
Sandbox Partners has acquired the Family Education Network (FEN), an edutainment digital network that includes properties such as Poptropica, Funbrain and FamilyEducation, from Pearson. The acquisition positions Sandbox to scale FEN's children's learning and entertainment brands internationally and expand reach to parents, teachers and students across new markets.
-
January 4, 2011
- Buyer
- USA TODAY
- Target
- Reviewed.com
- Industry
- Media & Entertainment
- Location
- Massachusetts, United States
- Type
- Buyout
USA TODAY (owned by Gannett Co., Inc.) has acquired Reviewed.com, a network of product-review websites that provide lab-tested reviews of consumer electronics. Reviewed.com will remain based in Boston with current management staying in place; terms were not disclosed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of Media & Entertainment acquisitions show up in Massachusetts here?
Common deal themes include media and publishing expansion (often tied to conferences and educational offerings), consolidation of regional content distribution (such as cable news assets), and software/data-enabled content or audience platforms.
Do any deals in this Massachusetts list keep the target operating under its own brand?
Yes. For example, Ernie Ball Inc.’s acquisition of Source Audio notes that Source Audio will continue under its own brand, and LiveU’s deal with Actus Digital keeps it as a sister brand (“Actus Digital, a LiveU Company”).
Are these acquisitions limited to traditional entertainment businesses?
No. While entertainment and media are prominent, several transactions involve adjacent platforms and technology that support media distribution and marketing—such as Semrush acquiring Third Door Media and LiveU acquiring Actus Digital’s business and technology.
Where are the deals primarily located?
The deals shown are focused on Massachusetts, United States (with NECN and New England–oriented integration called out explicitly in the cable news transaction).
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