Peace Arch moves for ContentFilm and Fireworks acquires CBC International

Canada’s Peace Arch Entertainment is in talks to acquire fellow producer/distributor ContentFilm.

The two parties have signed a letter of intent that states Peace Arch is considering making a cash offer for of ContentFilm’s capital in a deal valued at about $35 million.

The deal follows yesterday’s announcement that Fireworks International, the television distributor owned by ContentFilm, has acquired the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s international sales arm.

The Canadian public broadcaster has sold its library of 700 hours of programming and 135 titles to the UK-based Fireworks.

CBC said it lacked the scale and the resources to be competitive in the market, which was dominated by large, specialized firms.

Fireworks already distributes a number of Canadian shows including ski drama The Whistler and Jpod, the television adaptation of the Douglas Coupland that is airing on CBC in January.