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Sphere Media

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Sphere Media
Formerly
  • Groupe Télé-Vision (1984–2010)
  • DATSIT Studios (2012–2017)
  • DATSIT Sphere (2017–2020)
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryTelevision production
Founded1984; 40 years ago (1984) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
FounderJean Rémillard
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
,
Canada
Key people
Bruno Dubé (CEO)
Divisions
  • Sphere Abacus
  • Sphere Animation
  • Sphere Films
Websitesphere-media.com/en/

Sphere Media is a Canadian film and television production and distribution company based in Montreal, Quebec.[1]

History

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Sphere Media was founded in 1984 by Jean Rémillard.[2] Initially named Groupe Télé-Vision Inc., the company was sold in 2010 to Bruno Dubé and partners, and renamed DATSIT Studios, in 2012.[2] It was renamed DATSIT Sphere in 2017 after acquiring Sphere Media Plus, founded by Jocelyn Deschênes.[3]

The company subsequently acquired other smaller studios, including Nicole Robert's Go Films in 2018,[4] Oasis Animation and Quiet Motion in 2019,[5] Bristow Global Media in 2020,[6] and Sienna Films in 2020.[7]

In June 2020, DATSIT Sphere announced its rebranding as Sphere Media. Later the same year, the president of Sphere Media, Bruno Dubé, was named "Dealmaker of the Year" by Playback magazine for the acquisitions of BGM and Sienna Films during 2020.[8]

In January 2022, Sphere Media announced the acquisition Montreal-based animation studio Sardine Productions, founded in 2002 by Ghislain Cyr.[9] In the same year, it launched a new animation studio in Ottawa.[10]

In April 2022, Sphere Media announced a corporate restructuring, rebranding its subsidiaries as Sphere Media, Sphere Films and Sphere Animation.[11] They subsequently acquired Montreal-based film production and distribution company MK2 Mile End.[12]

In March 2023, Bell Media acquired a minority stake in Sphere Media.[13]

The Sardine Productions operations were subsequently incorporated into a new children's and family programming division launched in 2023.[14]

In June 2024, Sphere Media announced a deal to acquire British-based premium television international distribution and rights management company Abacus Media Rights from its Toronto-based parent company Amcomri Entertainment for $18 million.[15]

Key people

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Bruno Dubé serves as the CEO of Sphere Media, overseeing its extensive operations and strategic direction.[8]

Jennifer Kawaja serves as the president of scripted and feature films for English Canada,[16] and film producer Marie-Claude Poulin joined the company in 2021 as head of French-language film development.[17]

In February 2022, Kim Bondi joined Sphere Media-owned BGM as the senior vice-president of development.[18]

Productions

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Television

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Film

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References

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  1. ^ Victoria Ahearn, "Montreal’s Sphere announces restructure and rebrand". Playback, April 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "DATSIT SPHÈRE célèbre ses 35 ans à l'occasion d'un grand barbecue urbain !". CTVM (in French). September 9, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "DATSIT STUDIOS et SPHÈRE MÉDIA PLUS se regroupent". CTVM.info (in French). August 1, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Pinto, Jordan (October 15, 2018). "Datsit Sphere acquires Go Films". Playback. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Pinto, Jordan (March 26, 2019). "DATSIT Sphere merges with Oasis Animation, Quiet Motion". Playback. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Townsend, Kelly (March 11, 2020). "DATSIT Sphere acquires BGM from Kew Media". Playback. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Duchesne, André (March 18, 2020). "Datsit Sphère achète Sienna Film". La Presse (in French). Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Pinto, Jordan (December 18, 2020). "Dealmaker of the Year 2020: Bruno Dube". Playback. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  9. ^ Max Weinstein, "Sphere Media Acquires Montreal Animation Studio Sardine Productions". Animation World Network, January 17, 2022.
  10. ^ David Sali, "Montreal-based Sphere Media drawn to capital’s animation scene". Ottawa Business Journal, April 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Ahern, Victoria (April 4, 2022). "Montreal's Sphere announces restructure and rebrand". Playback. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Grater, Tom (April 13, 2022). "Canada's Sphere Buys Local Distributor MK2 Mile End". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Etan Vlessing (May 29, 2023). "Bell Media Buys Minority Stake in 'Sort Of,' 'The Porter' Producer Sphere Media". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  14. ^ Ryan Tuchow, "Sphere Media forms kids and family banner". Kidscreen, April 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Vlessing, Etan (June 26, 2024). "Producer Sphere Media to Buy Distributor Abacus for $18M". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  16. ^ Amber Dowling (May 30, 2023). "Sphere Media's Jennifer Kawaja on 'The Porter' Season 2, WGA Strike". Variety. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  17. ^ Liza Sardi, "Sphere Media adds feature film, fiction producer to team". Playback, October 1, 2021.
  18. ^ K. J. Yossman (February 10, 2022). "BGM Taps Kim Bondi As Senior Vice-President Of Development". Variety. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
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