FOX Entertainment has acquired MarVista Entertainment, a global leader in made-for-platform original content, it was announced by FOX Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier and MarVista CEO and Founding Partner Fernando Szew.
Based in Los Angeles and established in 2003, MarVista ranks among the world’s leading independent studios, with nearly two decades at the forefront of developing, producing and distributing made-for-platform movies for partners in the U.S. and abroad. Under Szew’s leadership, the studio has developed an extensive and efficient infrastructure with best-in-class practices, operating systems and production models powering an average of 80 titles annually across all genres; holds deep global distribution expertise and reach; and has built a robust catalog of owned content with more than 2,500 hours of programming. MarVista also is a top global producer of holiday-themed content.
MarVista will continue to be led by Szew and his well-respected team of industry leaders. Szew will report to FOX Entertainment President of Production Strategy and Operations, Stefan Reinhardt. MarVista will focus on developing and producing content for FOX’s digital platforms, including the ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) service Tubi, which continues to experience meaningful growth as a centerpiece of FOX’s ambitious digital expansion strategy. The studio also will continue to work with its deep and growing roster of third-party buyers and co-production partners, while distributing its content globally.
“Fernando and his team have built a globally respected studio with a track record of prolific creative output, a vast library of owned titles and an efficient approach to production that’s admired industry-wide,” said Collier. “With these key strategic advantages, acquiring and investing in MarVista aligns perfectly with FOX Entertainment’s long-term vision for streaming and diversifying our in-house capabilities and infrastructure, as we expand our portfolio. Across the board, MarVista boasts a wonderfully talented team, which we happily welcome to our fast-growing organization.”
“I am very excited by the opportunity to further scale MarVista with the leadership, resources and entrepreneurial spirit of FOX Entertainment,” said Szew. “As the content distribution landscape has evolved and become more ubiquitous and sophisticated, we are proud of the uniqueness of MarVista’s innovative practices and offerings and expect to propel our growth as part of FOX Entertainment. As always, we will continue to create meaningful opportunities for filmmakers and talent, and maintain our leading position as go-to partners for the growing and diverse networks and platforms on a global basis. This is an incredible new chapter for MarVista and our passionate team.”
“Amplifying our in-house expertise with MarVista’s vast production know-how and bandwidth will create significant long-term value across FOX Entertainment, especially as we continue to build a library of high-quality, original content and enhance our ability to support even more third-party productions,” said Reinhardt.
In addition to supporting FOX Entertainment’s strategy to control more premium creative content across its platforms, the acquisition expands upon its diverse list of next-generation talent by leveraging and fostering MarVista’s first-time storytellers, creators and directors. FOX also will be able to identify opportunities for improved production operations company-wide, based on MarVista’s innovative, nimble and efficient approach to development and production.
Recent third-party titles produced and distributed by MarVista include Amazon Prime’s soon-to-be-released Christmas is Cancelled, starring Hayley Orrantia, Dermot Mulroney and Janel Parrish; Netflix’s Falling Inn Love, starring Christina Milian and Adam Demos; Disney’s Halloween sensation, Under Wraps; Candy Coated Christmas for Discovery+ and Food Network; #FBF, a young adult indie starring Ashley Judd; and the Spanish language movie Operación Feliz Navidad for HBO Max in Latin America. The studio also has forged notable producing partnerships with Lionsgate to remake classic small screen features from the Hearst library; WarnerMedia in Latin America; and its global distribution partnership with Canada’s Neshama Entertainment.
MarVista recently produced and/or distributed several titles for Tubi, including the thrillers TWISTED HOUSE SITTER, THE DEADLIEST LIE and holiday-themed A CHANCE FOR CHRISTMAS, all of which have been among the platform’s exceptional performers.
MarVista joins FOX Entertainment’s fast-growing portfolio that spans multiple disciplines and businesses. In September, FOX Entertainment acquired the entertainment platform TMZ and all its media properties from WarnerMedia. FOX Entertainment and award-winning chef, restaurateur and presenter Gordon Ramsay recently formed Studio Ramsay Global, a new, co-owned production entity that develops, produces and distributes culinary and lifestyle programming for FOX, Tubi and platforms worldwide. FOX Entertainment owns the Emmy Award-winning animation studio Bento Box Entertainment, which, last summer, launched the NFT studio Blockchain Creative Labs. The company also owns its in-house unscripted studio, FOX Alternative Entertainment, which produces THE MASKED SINGER; ALTER EGO, this season’s #1 new reality program; I CAN SEE YOUR VOICE, last season’s #1 new unscripted series; and NAME THAT TUNE, among others.
Moelis & Company, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Miller and Co. LLP represented MarVista on the transaction, while Paul Hastings LLP and Hogan Lovells LLP acted as legal advisors to FOX.
