Blue Ant Media Acquires RACAT Group

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Blue Ant Media has purchased the RACAT Group, which includes such production houses as NHNZ.

The acquisition encompasses NHNZ (formerly Natural History New Zealand), Beach House Pictures and Northern Pictures. The purchase also includes international children’s nature broadcaster ZooMoo Networks and Runaway Play, a mobile game developer and publisher.

Effective September 1, Blue Ant Media will appoint Ward Platt, current RACAT consultant, to the newly created role of CEO of kids’ and global networks. Platt’s previous roles include COO positions at National Geographic Partners and Fox International Channels, and CEO of National Geographic Channels International from 2013-2015.

RACAT was launched in 2012 by David Haslingden, who was formerly the president and COO of Fox Networks Group, a role he held after serving as CEO of Fox International Channels and National Geographic Channels Worldwide for ten years. Haslingden becomes a significant shareholder and member of Blue Ant Media’s board of directors.

“Blue Ant Media is an ambitious company, well positioned to significantly grow its content production, distribution and channel businesses internationally, notably in the Asia Pacific, which is why this acquisition is so important for our business,” said Michael MacMillan, co-founder and CEO of Blue Ant Media. “I’ve known RACAT’s CEO, David Haslingden, for many years; he is a seasoned media executive with an impressive history in the industry spanning more than two decades. His expertise will be invaluable as we continue our worldwide expansion.”

Haslingden commented: “I am delighted that the RACAT companies are now part of the Blue Ant Media family. Our editorial focuses, product lines and territorial presences make us a perfect fit. While the RACAT businesses have achieved a lot in the last five years, there’s no doubt those achievements will be dwarfed by what we get done in the next five as part of Blue Ant Media.”