Red Arrow Entertainment Group today announced the acquisition of a majority stake in US-based production company Orion Entertainment. Founded in 2000 and based in Denver, Orion has grown to become a leading US producer of non-scripted TV and branded entertainment. The acquisition expands Red Arrow’s US production base into areas including outdoor adventure programming, for which Orion is one of the world’s largest producers.
To date, Orion has produced more than 1,000 hours of TV programming for a variety of major US TV and cable networks including HGTV, Discovery, History, DIY, Travel Channel, ESPN, National Geographic and others. Recent productions include Tiny House Big Living and Living Big Sky for HGTV and Building Alaska and Treehouse Guys for DIY. Orion has also worked with leading brands such as Ram-Chrysler, Ford Motor Company and Swarovski on branded entertainment television, and has worked with a wide range of A-list talent including Michael Keaton, Tom Brokaw, Liam Neeson, Huey Lewis and many others.
The acquisition of a majority stake in Orion Entertainment further strengthens Red Arrow’s footprint in the US, the world’s largest TV production market. In November 2015, the Group acquired a majority stake in the production company Karga Seven Pictures. Other Red Arrow companies in the US include Kinetic Content, Fabrik Entertainment, Left/Right Productions and Half Yard Productions. Additionally, 2015 saw Red Arrow strengthen its global digital presence by launching Ripple Entertainment, a digital media company based in Los Angeles.
Orion Entertainment will continue to be led by founder Chris Dorsey. The company’s formats and programmes will be sold worldwide by Red Arrow International. Further, the company will undergo a name change in 2016 from Orion to Dorsey Pictures LLC.
Jan Frouman, CEO of Red Arrow Entertainment Group, says: “Chris and his wife Amy along with minority partner Larry Sletten have built a terrific business and we couldn’t be more pleased about the chance to partner. They are not only uniquely positioned to deliver access to a vibrant target audience, but will also provide us with essential branded entertainment know-how. Through this we enter into a new business area. We are thrilled to call them our partners.’
“Red Arrow provides the perfect strategic partner for Orion and their reputation for focusing on high quality content – no matter the platform – is in perfect alignment with our own company goals and directives. Having a partner like Red Arrow only enhances our ability to continue providing the highest quality programming to our long-time entertainment partners,” says Orion CEO Chris Dorsey.
Orion Entertainment was advised by Richard Gray at ACF Investment Bank and Matthew Thompson at Sidley Austin. Red Arrow was advised by Stella Capital Advisors and Milbank.