Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. has entered into an agreement with Ascent Media Corporation to acquire Ascent’s Creative Services and Media Services businesses which include such mainstay shops as Company 3, Beast, Method, Rushes, Encore Hollywood and Level 3 Post.
Deluxe thus diversifies itself even further in the post, visual effects and editorial arenas, adding a talent base active in commercials, TV and features. The acquisition will also enhance Deluxe’s services for clients that include life-cycle library management and digital asset management. Digital services include file based mastering, archiving, digital distribution, DVD and Blu-ray authoring.
Deluxe is a leading processor of film for the motion picture industry and a prime provider of Blu-ray authoring services. Over the last few years Deluxe has significantly increased its service offerings in digital services and content delivery. The company’s pipeline includes 2D and 3D post production services from film or digital capture to digital intermediates with the proprietary EFILM® workflow, theatrical release (35mm and digital cinema), and home entertainment services for every digital media platform.
“Deluxe is well positioned to take our company into the future as technologies continue to transform how customers create and distribute content for films and television programs,” said Cyril Drabinsky, president and CEO of Deluxe. “We look forward to this talented group of people joining the Deluxe team.”
The transaction–at a purchase price of approximately $68 million (after the assumption of certain indebtedness)–is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the year.
Ascent Media’s CEO William Fitzgerald said, “AMG’s [Ascent Media Group’s] Creative Services group has provided pioneering postproduction solutions for some of the most well-known brands, directors and studios. In Media Services, AMG has been an innovator in developing solutions to help customers manage and distribute content. Deluxe is a leader in both of these segments, and we believe that the transaction should accelerate growth and better serve the combined company’s cutomers worldwide.”
Ascent Media will continue to own AMG’s content distribution and systems integration businesses. However, the company is pursuing strategic alternatives for both business units. Additionally, the company is committed to pursuing investments in or the acquisition of businesses that provide enhanced shareholder return opportunities.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” and “Sonic 3” Rule Box Office For 1st Weekend Of 2025
The Walt Disney Co.'s "Mufasa: The Lion King" claimed the No. 1 spot on the North American box office charts over the first weekend of 2025.
The photorealistic "Lion King" prequel earned $23.8 million in its third weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which has dominated the past two weekends, wasn't far behind.
"Sonic 3" stayed close with a 3-day estimate of $21.2 million, bringing its total domestic earnings to $187.5 million and helping the overall franchise cross $1 billion worldwide. "Mufasa's" running total is slightly less, with $169.2 million.
In third place, Focus Features' "Nosferatu" remake defied the fate of so many of its genre predecessors and fell only 39% in its second weekend. Horror films typically fall sharply after the first weekend and anything less than a 50% decline is notable. "Nosferatu," which added 140 screens, claimed $13.2 million in ticket sales, bringing its running total to $69.4 million since its Christmas debut. The film, directed by Robert Eggers, already surpassed its reported production budget of $50 million, though that figure does not account for marketing and promotion expenses).
No new wide releases opened this weekend, leaving the box office top 10 once again to holdovers from previous weeks. Several have been in theaters since Thanksgiving. One of those, "Moana 2," claimed the No. 4 spot for Disney in its sixth weekend in theaters. The animated sequel earned another $12.4 million, bumping its global total to $960.5 million.
The Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," dipped only slightly in its second weekend, bringing in $8.1 million. With $41.7 million total, it's Searchlight's highest grossing film since Disney acquired the company in... Read More