Legendary Acquires The Kennedys Producer Asylum Entertainment

BURBANK: Legendary Entertainment has secured 100-percent ownership of Asylum Entertainment, which is behind such popular programming as ESPN's 30 for 30 series, reality cable shows like Beverly Hills Pawn and dramatic mini-series, including The Kennedys.

Through the acquisition, Asylum joins Legendary Television & Digital Media, a division of Legendary Entertainment that produces programming across multiple platforms on a global basis. Steve Michaels, the president and CEO of Asylum, and Jonathan Koch, the president and chief creative officer, will continue to operate Asylum as an independent company. They now report to Bruce Rosenblum, the president of Legendary Television & Digital Media.

“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.”

“This is an incredible deal that allows Asylum to scale our existing business beyond what we could have imagined,” Michaels and Koch added. “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.”