Catalyst Capital-backed Sonar acquires Tricon Films & Television

Sonar Entertainment Inc, a portfolio company of Canadian private equity firm Catalyst Capital Group, has acquired assets from Tricon Films & Television, a Toronto-based producer and distributor granted creditor protection in late 2016. The deal’s financial terms were not disclosed. Tricon’s senior executive team, including Founder and President Andrea Gorfolova, will join Sonar, a Los Angeles-based entertainment studio. Catalyst’s Gabriel de Alba, who chairs Sonar, said the acquisition is “another critically important milestone in our broad-based growth strategy.”

PRESS RELEASE

Sonar Entertainment Launches Major Initiative with First-Ever Move Into Non-Scripted and Kids and Family Content

Expands Programmng Genres with Acquisition of Assets From Tricon Films & Television

Senior Executives from Tricon Also Joining Sonar Team

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2017 – In a move that significantly broadens its product lineup, Sonar Entertainment is expanding into non-scripted and kids and family content for the first time. The company announced it has acquired assets from Toronto and Los Angeles-based independent producer and distributor Tricon Films & Television. The announcement was made today by Thomas Lesinski, CEO, Sonar Entertainment.

Program acquisitions include the kids series Counterfeit Cat, currently airing in the US on Disney XD, on Teletoon in Canada, on Hulu and in over 200 countries worldwide. Sonar is also acquiring Tricon properties currently in development. These include the children’s series Go Away Unicorn, for Disney and Corus, and the non-scripted series Texas Metal for Discovery and Food’s Greatest Hits for Scripps.

In addition, key members of the Tricon senior executive team will be joining Sonar, including company founder and president Andrea Gorfolova. Gorfolova launched Tricon in 2000. Sonar is also acquiring the distribution rights to over 1,500 hours of Tricon’s library programming.

“This represents another critically important milestone in our broad-based growth strategy for Sonar,” said Gabriel de Alba, Chairman, Sonar Entertainment and Managing Director and Partner, The Catalyst Capital Group, Inc. “Our exceptional creative team is primed to aggressively build out our content in these new categories. At the same time, the success of our high end-premium scripted dramas has earned Sonar tremendous momentum. We are well positioned to leverage our strong relationships in the global marketplace through our distribution team to ensure that Sonar’s programming across all genres achieves maximum impact.”

“Over nearly two decades, Tricon has established a well-deserved reputation for innovative programming with unique appeal to audiences both domestically and internationally,” said Lesinski. “This is a unique opportunity for Sonar to significantly broaden our programming mix and we are excited about the assets that we are bringing to the company. The infusion of experience and skill that Andrea and her team bring to Sonar makes the overall opportunity even more far reaching and impactful for our business.”

About Sonar Entertainment
Sonar Entertainment is a leading independent entertainment studio that develops, produces, finances and distributes premium content for global audiences. We offer a unique platform for creative talent with the support of a full-service studio and global distribution company. Our financial strength and independence provides us with the freedom to fund development and expansive productions on a global scale and partner with the most innovative storytellers in the industry.

Current Sonar series on-air, in production or slated to commence production include Seasons One and Two of internationally successful The Shannara Chronicles, for MTV; The Son, starring Pierce Brosnan for AMC; Mr. Mercedes, written by David E. Kelley, based on the novel by Stephen King, with the AT&T AUDIENCE Network for DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse; and Das Boot, an eight-part series based on the acclaimed movie, for Sky. Sonar also distributes internationally, outside the UK, Taboo, for FX and BBC One, starring Tom Hardy and executive produced by Ridley Scott, recently renewed for a second season. In addition Sonar has exclusive first look deals with George Clooney and Grant Heslov’s Smokehouse Pictures, Robert and Susan Downey’s Team Downey and Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Sonar Entertainment also distributes over 1,000 titles comprised of award-winning programs from RHI Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment and Hal Roach Studios.

Patrick Reynolds
Vice President
Office: 646.569.5862
Direct: 646.569.5879
Mobile: 203.246.5628
preynolds@gagnierfc.com

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