Anthem Sports & Entertainment

Last updated
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.
Company type Private
Industry Mass media
FoundedDecember 2010;14 years ago (2010-12)
Founder Leonard Asper
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Area served
Canada, United Kingdom, United States
Key people
 Leonard Asper
(President & CEO)
Ed Nordholm
(Chief Corporate Officer)
Products Broadcasting
Television Production
Digital media
Live event promotion
Production output
 Sports
Entertainment
OwnersSygnus Corp. (72.95%)
Fight Holdings Inc. (25.62%)
Subsidiaries
Website anthemse.com

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. (formerly Anthem Media Group) is a Canadian multinational media company based in Toronto, Ontario and founded by Leonard Asper.

Contents

Anthem is majority-controlled by Asper via his Sygnus Corporation. Fight Holdings, Inc. holds the remaining ownership stake, via the investors Mayhem Capital (59.01%), North American Bond Company (7.19%), Goldfarb Management Services (7.19%), and Slaight Communications (7.19%). [1]

History

Founding

Anthem Media Group was founded in December 2010 by former Canwest president Leonard Asper, through his acquisition of a majority stake in Fight Network. [2]

On January 10, 2013, Anthem purchased an equity stake in the U.S-based Pursuit Channel. [3] In August 2013, the company would acquire My Combat Channel. [4]

In August 2013, Anthem acquired the fantasy sports websites RotoExperts and SportsGrid, as part of efforts to launch a dedicated fantasy sports-oriented channel. [5] [6] The following year, FNTSY Sports Network launched in March 2014. [6] In January 2015, Anthem acquired the daily fantasy sports website LuDawgs.com, [7] and relaunched the site as DailyRoto. [8]

Anthem Media Group was renamed to Anthem Sports & Entertainment in May 2015. [1] In August 2016, Anthem announced its intent to acquire the Canadian specialty channel GameTV, pending CRTC approval. [9]

TNA investment and acquisition

In October 2016, Anthem invested in the professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Fight Network was its Canadian broadcast partner, and Anthem would loan the company money throughout 2016. [10]

On January 4, 2017, Anthem acquired a majority stake in TNA, forming the subsidiary Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions; [11] the promotion would then rebrand as Impact Wrestling, after its flagship weekly program Impact!. Impact founder Jeff Jarrett rejoined the promotion as chief creative director and, during tapings for the April 20, 2017 episode of Impact, it was announced that Impact Wrestling would merge with Jarrett's own Global Force Wrestling (GFW) promotion under the "GFW" name. [12] Anthem later announced its intent to formally acquire GFW's assets, [13] but by October 23, 2017, Anthem had cut its ties with Jarrett and Global Force. [14] [15]

In October 2017, Anthem launched the Global Wrestling Network, a streaming service featuring archive content from Impact as well as other independent promotions. [16]

On June 26, 2018, it was announced that Peter Einstein would become the new chief operating officer of Anthem. [17]

On August 14, 2018, Jeff Jarrett and Global Force Entertainment filed a lawsuit against Anthem in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee for copyright infringement over the rights to GFW content, as Jarrett owned all Global Force Wrestling properties since its creation in 2014. [18] [19] A mistrial was declared after a 2020 trial but Jarrett and Anthem settled the case in January 2021. [20]

International expansion

On September 9, 2019, Anthem announced that it had acquired a majority stake in the U.S. cable networks AXS TV and HDNet Movies, with existing stakeholders Mark Cuban and Anschutz Entertainment Group maintaining equity stakes. [21] [22]

On April 13, 2021, Anthem acquired the women's mixed martial arts promotion Invicta Fighting Championships. [23]

On November 16, 2021, Anthem acquired Cleveland-based film distributor Gravitas Ventures from Red Arrow Studios, the content production and distribution arm of German company ProSiebenSat.1 Media, for US$73 million in a cash-and-stock deal. The company stated that it planned to use its library across its linear television properties, as well as future free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) businesses. [24] [25]

In June 2022, Anthem announced that it would launch AXS TV Now and Fight Network channels on Xumo. [26]

On September 25, 2024, Anthem announced its intent to acquire the Canadian premium television service Hollywood Suite pending CRTC approval. [27]

Assets

Television

Canada

USA

Other assets

Former assets

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Total Nonstop Action Wrestling</span> American professional wrestling promotion

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by businessman Leonard Asper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonjay Dutt</span> American professional wrestler

Retesh Bhalla is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a producer and manager. He is best known for his time with Total Nonstop Action / Impact Wrestling under the ring name Sonjay Dutt. He also worked for WWE as a producer from 2019 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Jarrett</span> American professional wrestler and promoter

Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and promoter. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he also serves as Director of Business Development.

AXS TV is an American cable television channel majority-owned by Canadian broadcaster Anthem Sports & Entertainment. It is devoted primarily to music-related programming and combat sports—related programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott D'Amore</span> Canadian professional wrestler, manager, and promoter

Scott Francis D'Amore is a Canadian professional wrestling manager, promoter, booker and retired professional wrestler, best known for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he served as the president and an on-screen personality.

GameTV is a Canadian English language discretionary specialty channel. Owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, it primarily broadcasts competition-based programming, including game shows and reality competition series.

<i>TNA Impact!</i> American professional wrestling TV program

TNA Impact! is an American professional wrestling television program produced by the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) that debuted on June 4, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destination X</span> Professional wrestling event series

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">HDNet Movies</span> Television channel

HDNet Movies is an American digital cable and satellite television network launched by Mark Cuban in January 2003 as a spin-off of HDNet. It is currently majority-owned by Canadian-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment through HDNet LLC,a subsidiary of AXS TV LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TNA World Championship</span> Mens professional wrestling championship

The TNA World Championship is a professional wrestling world championship created and promoted by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). It is the promotion's principal championship. Like most professional wrestling championships, the title is won via pinfall or submission. The current champion is Nic Nemeth, who is in his first reign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fight Network</span> Canadian television channel dedicated to combat sports

Fight Network is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The network broadcasts programming related to combat sports, including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, and professional wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Jarrett</span> Professional wrestling manager

Karen Jarrett is an American professional wrestling valet and personality appearing for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She is the former wife of professional wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle and the current wife of AEW wrestler Jeff Jarrett.

Pursuit Channel is an American television network that airs programming geared to hunting, fishing, shooting and outdoor recreation. It is based in Glenwood, Alabama and was launched on April 23, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Aldis</span> English professional wrestler (born 1986)

Nicholas Harry Aldis is an English professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he is a producer and the on-screen general manager of the SmackDown brand. He is best known for his tenure in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Magnus from 2008 to 2015, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) from 2017 to 2022.

FNTSY Sports Network is a multinational over-the-top internet television service owned by Sportsgrid Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Wrestling Network</span> Professional wrestling streaming service

Global Wrestling Network (GWN) was a digital streaming service and mobile app owned by Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment and parent company of Impact Wrestling. It primarily featured content from the Impact video library, along with original programming and content from independent and international promotions. The service ceased operating on May 1, 2019, when it was replaced by Impact Plus.

Global Force Wrestling was an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2014 by Jeff Jarrett, the co-founder and former President of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and his wife Karen Jarrett. It was owned and operated via its parent company Global Force Entertainment, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game+</span> Canadian specialty TV channel

Game+ is a Canadian English language specialty channel owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment. Originally launched on March 4, 2014 as FNTSY Sports Network, the channel was relaunched in 2018 as an off-shoot of GameTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TNA+</span> Professional wrestling streaming service

TNA+ is a professional wrestling video streaming service that launched on May 1, 2019. It is owned and operated by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

Triller TV is a Bulgarian-based American digital video streaming service.

References

  1. 1 2 "Anthem Digital Specialty Services" (PDF). crtc.gc.ca. Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. January 6, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Leonard Asper Joins The Fight Network as CEO - Fight Network". Archived from the original on 2014-09-27. Retrieved 2014-07-26.
  3. ↑ "Pursuit Channel Welcomes Anthem Media Group". OutdoorHub. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  4. ↑ Anthem Media Group Acquires U.S.-Based My Combat Channel Archived 2014-03-28 at the Wayback Machine Fight Network 2013-08-22
  5. ↑ "Anthem Media Group Acquires RotoExperts And SportsGrid". 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  6. 1 2 Fantasy Sports Network Looks To Become a Reality In March Multichannel.com 2013-12-03
  7. ↑ "Anthem Media Acquires LuDawgs.com, A Sprawling Daily Fantasy Community". 14 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Anthem Media Announces Launch Of DailyRoto.com". Archived from the original on 2019-04-17. Retrieved 2016-03-07.
  9. ↑ "Anthem Sports and Entertainment Acquires GameTV". RotoExperts.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  10. ↑ Rau, Nate (June 30, 2017). "TNA wrestling rebrands as GFW, eyes global expansion". The Tennessean . Nashville . Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Anthem Acquires Majority Interest in TNA Impact Wrestling". Multichannel. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  12. ↑ McMahon, Mike (April 20, 2017). "McMahon's Impact report 4/20: Lashley vs. Storm for the Impact Title, ODB vs. Rosemary, X-Division six-man title match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Impact officially announces acquisition of Global Force". Cageside Seats. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  14. ↑ Currier, Joseph (October 23, 2017). "Jeff Jarrett Officially Gone From Impact Wrestling". Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  15. ↑ Satin, Ryan (January 5, 2017). "Jeff Jarrett Returning to TNA as Executive Consultant, 'It's Great For the Wrestling Business'". Pro Wrestling Sheet | Insider Wrestling News and Reports. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Anthem's Global Wrestling Network is here". Cageside Seats (SB Nation). Retrieved 2017-11-04.
  17. ↑ Johnson, Mike (June 26, 2018). "NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR ANTHEM SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT". Pwinsider. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  18. ↑ Johnson, Mike (August 14, 2018). "JEFF JARRETT & GFW SUE IMPACT WRESTLING PARENT COMPANY". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Jeff Jarrett And Global Force Sue Impact Wrestling And Anthem - Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  20. ↑ Valdés, Apolo (January 13, 2021). "Jeff Jarrett y Anthem Sports llegaron a un acuerdo por GFW". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  21. ↑ Farrell, Mike. "Anthem Sports Buys Majority Stake in AXS TV". Multichannel. Retrieved 2019-09-20.
  22. ↑ "Mark Cuban Sells Majority Stake in AXS TV, HDNet Movies to Steve Harvey, Anthem Sports". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-20.
  23. ↑ "Invicta FC sold to Anthem Sports & Entertainment, events to air on AXS TV". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  24. ↑ Weprin, Alex (2021-11-16). "Gravitas Ventures Sold to Anthem Sports & Entertainment for $73M". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  25. ↑ "Cleveland film distributor Gravitas Ventures is sold in $73 million deal". Crain's Cleveland Business. 2021-11-16. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  26. ↑ Lafayette, Jon (2022-06-09). "Anthem Launching Two Streaming Channels on Xumo's Platform". Broadcasting Cable. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  27. ↑ Thiessen, Connie (2024-09-25). "Anthem Sports & Entertainment to acquire Hollywood Suite". Broadcast Dialogue. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  28. ↑ "Anthem Sports & Entertainment | WHO WE ARE". Archived from the original on 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  29. ↑ Sportsgrid (September 1, 2021). "SportsGrid Multicast Network Launches Today in Nine Major Markets Across the United States" . Retrieved October 31, 2021.
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