LOS ANGELES – December 1, 2016 – Global independent studio Entertainment One (eOne) today announced that it has made an equity investment in Canvas Media Studios, the digital-first media company founded by Emmy-Award winning creator Bernie Su and media executive David Tochterman.  Through the strategic investment, Canvas will expand its distribution, production and financing of premium scripted content for digital and traditional media, as well as emerging VOD and OTT platforms. Canvas Media Studios will work closely with eOne Television on a first-look basis for production and distribution to bring its content to worldwide audiences across all media.

“I’m delighted to announce our partnership with Bernie, David and the Canvas Media Studios team.  As we think about the future of storytelling, we are pleased to be in business with innovators that bring new models to the table and complement our business. Together, we are well-positioned to find opportunities in rapidly developing media and platforms,” said John Morayniss, CEO, eOne Television.

“In addition to providing resources to fulfill our vision for developing and producing multi-platform premium scripted content, eOne’s strategic investment in Canvas Media Studios will enable us to pursue a range of distribution and co-financing opportunities, including identifying third party content,” said Tochterman, co-founder Canvas Media Studios. Added Su, co-founder Canvas Media Studios, “eOne is a progressive global company that continuously identifies and produces great stories. We're incredibly honored that a company with this track record is putting such faith into Canvas Media Studios. I'm excited to see what we'll be able to do together.”

As a follow-up to its Emmy nominated Stylehaul series Vanity, Canvas Media Studios is currently developing Socio, its first television series, for MTV; a new comedy project under its exclusive development deal with Jennette McCurdy; and a slate based on New Leaf Literary’s young adult novels. An experimental 360° scripted comedy series The Mobile Oval, which CMS produced with The Young Turks, marked the launch of its Canvas Labs incubator.  

eOne joins Allen DeBevoise’s Third Wave Digital and MNM Creative as investors in Canvas Media.   

"As a strategic partner as well as investor, eOne adds tremendous value to Canvas Media Studios," said DeBevoise.  "Their global distribution capability is a great match for Bernie and David's creative and business acumen, and places Canvas Media Studios on a strong growth trajectory"

Before co-founding Canvas Media Studios, Tochterman was a digital strategy consultant for PBS, ABC and Starz and prior to that he launched the digital media division of Innovative Artists, led the TV division of Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and was a senior VP at the Carsey-Werner Co. Su, who also co-founded Pemberley Digital, is a two-time Primetime Emmy Award winner and Four-time Streamy Award winner. His projects include Frankenstein MD for PBS and digital series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Emma Approved.

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About Entertainment One

Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a global independent studio that specialises in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. The Company’s diversified expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content. Through its global reach and expansive scale, powered by deep local market knowledge, the Company delivers the best content to the world.

Entertainment One’s robust network includes film and television studio The Mark Gordon Company; content creation venture Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; leading feature film production and global sales company Sierra Pictures; unscripted television production companies Renegade 83, Paperny Entertainment and Force Four Entertainment; world-class music labels Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning digital agency Secret Location.

The Company’s rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 100,000 hours of film and television content and approximately 40,000 music tracks.

About Canvas Media Studios

Canvas Media Studios is a creative driven digital studio focused on developing scripted multi-platform entertainment franchises, supported by organic engagement and audience integration. Canvas is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information, go to www.canvasmediastudios.com.

For more information:

Entertainment One

Jackie Rubin

jrubin@entonegroup.com

424−274−4151

Canvas Media Studios

MPRM Communications

Rachel McCallister & Lisa Bustamante

canvas@mprm.com / 323−933−3399