eOne Completes Alliance Takeover

TORONTO: Entertainment One (eOne) has officially completed its acquisition of Alliance Films, making it the largest independent film distributor in the U.K. and Canada.

eOne paid C$225 million to affiliates of Goldman Sachs Capital Partners and Investissement Québec. With the integration of the Alliance Films slate, eOne’s filmed entertainment library grows to house more than 35,000 titles.

Patrice Théroux will continue to lead the film business, though former Alliance CEO Victor Loewy and former Alliance president Charles Layton have left the company.

“This acquisition delivers on eOne’s long-term growth strategy to invest in content, maximize rights ownership and expand our international footprint,” said Darren Throop, the president and CEO, Entertainment One. “We want to recognize Alliance’s leaders who have built a passionate team with a remarkable understanding of the international film business and their markets. We look forward to forging relationships with our new partners, representing the very best in independent film across the globe, and delivering opportunities for continued growth by eOne on a multi-territory multiplatform basis. This acquisition better positions eOne to generate significant value for shareholders.”

“We’re delighted to welcome Alliance’s talented team to the eOne family. eOne is made up of the gifted teams brought together through the effective integration of Les Films Seville, Contender, RCV, Oasis International, Barna Alper, Blueprint, Hopscotch, among others, and we have no doubt that our strong entrepreneurial organization will be further strengthened with the addition of our new colleagues,” added Théroux. “We’re pleased to extend our robust international distribution infrastructure into Spain. Our enlarged platform and increased presence on the ground will create meaningful opportunities for innovation and growth throughout all territories and across our divisions.”