Acquisition Underscores Legendary’s Mandate to Build a Multi-Platform and Diverse Television and Digital Business
Legendary Entertainment announced today that it has acquired 100 percent of Asylum Entertainment, a leading television production company, known for creating and producing popular scripted, non-scripted and sports documentary programming. Through the deal, Asylum joins Legendary Television & Digital Media, the division of Legendary Entertainment charged with producing programming across multiple platforms on a global basis. Legendary Television remains committed to premium, Legendary branded scripted content, while Asylum provides Legendary with a broad-based and diverse production label which will expand into non-scripted, long-form, sports and other genres.
The announcement was made by Bruce Rosenblum, President of Legendary Television and Digital Media, alongside Asylum Entertainment’s founders, Steve Michaels, President and Chief Executive Officer and Jonathan Koch, President and Chief Creative Officer. Michaels and Koch will continue to operate Asylum as an independent company, maintaining its unique brand and corporate culture, and now report into Rosenblum.
“This is an exciting and significant acquisition for Legendary which confirms our commitment to building a global multi-dimensional television business. Asylum’s terrific track-record, relationships and current television content gives Legendary a base to expand and quickly diversify our television business,” said Rosenblum. “On a personal level, I am thrilled to be working with Steve and Jonathan, two executives who have thrived in an entrepreneurial environment, and I am confident that they will be ideal partners to our team.”
Founded in 2003, Asylum is known for producing a broad range of premium video programming primarily for cable television that spans from acclaimed documentaries including ESPN’s critically lauded “30 for 30” series and the “Beyond the Glory” series for Fox Sports; to widely popular cable reality shows such as “Beverly Hills Pawn” and Emmy®- winning dramatic mini-series like “The Kennedys.”
“This is an incredible deal that allows Asylum to scale our existing business beyond what we could have imagined,” Michaels and Koch said. “In terms of our programming philosophies and the audiences we’re trying to build and serve, Legendary is a perfect match. And, of course, we have deep regard for all that Thomas Tull has accomplished in the media business, and we’re very excited to be working with him and Legendary.”
Asylum is currently in production on a highly anticipated feature documentary, Happy Valley, focusing on the sexual abuse scandal that recently rocked Penn State University and its football program.
About Asylum Entertainment
Asylum Entertainment’s most notable productions include the epic 8-part mini-series “The Kennedys” for which they received 10 Emmy® nominations and won four. Additionally, Asylum’s scripted division was recently nominated for four Emmy Awards on the television film, “Ring of Fire” starring Jewel. Asylum’s lifeblood is unscripted television. Their notable unscripted projects include the 10-time Emmy nominated “Beyond The Glory,” ESPN’s “30 for 30,” “The Locator,” “Addicted,” “American Gangster,” “Beverly Hills Pawn” and many more.
Additionally, Asylum Entertainment is eagerly anticipating the spring 2014 release of its’ first theatrical feature film “Small Time,” written and directed by “24” co-creator, Joel Surnow. Currently, Asylum Entertainment is in production on the much anticipated feature documentary Happy Valley, which focuses on the gripping scandal that has rocked Penn State University. To learn more visit: www.asylument.com.
About Legendary Entertainment
Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to mainstream audiences with a targeted focus on the powerful fandom demographic. Through complete or joint ownership, Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world’s most popular intellectual property. In aggregate,
Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $8 billion worldwide at the box office. To learn more visit: www.legendary.com