Boat Rocker buys Proper Television

There’s more consolidation in the Canadian TV sector, this time with Boat Rocker Media buying the principal assets of compatriot Proper Television.

The deal, financial terms of which were not revealed, means Toronto-based Boat Rocker takes over the distribution library of Proper, which houses sales unit Proper Rights, and takes over its 35,000sq ft facility.

Formats firm Proper will continue to operate as an independent unscripted production business within Boat Rocker.

Proper Rights, which was formed in mid-2013 after Proper bought BuzzTaxi, will consolidate into Boat Rocker Rights, adding around 2,200 hours to the catalogue, effective immediately.

The news comes after Proper founder and president Guy Sullivan died suddenly earlier this year.

Proper execs Lesia Capon and Cathie James (pictured) will now become co-presidents of the prodco, reporting to Boat Rocker’s chief revenue officer, Michael Pratte.

“In the wake of Guy’s passing, we have been deeply moved and motivated by the support of the Canadian and International production community,” said Capone and James in a statement, “and now Boat Rocker is providing an opportunity to expand Guy’s legacy with their extraordinary vision and support. We’re honoured and excited to become part of this dynamic and forward-looking company.”

“Continuing the legacy of what Proper’s founder and President Guy O’Sullivan built over the last decade and supporting the incredible work of the entire Proper team is at the heart of Boat Rocker’s approach to this new relationship,” said John Young, CEO of Boat Rocker Media.

Boat Rocker has been in acquisitive model since its establishment in February last year, after Fairfax Financial Acquired Orphan Black prodco Temple Street and expanded the business.

Deals for the assets of Arc Productions, Jam Filled Productions, Mountain Road Productions’ catalogue and distributor Peace Point Rights have followed.

On the factual front, Boat Rocker consolidated its assets earlier this year under a Crooked Horse Productions banner.

Proper gives the business a stronger foot in formats. It is behind Canadian versions of formats such as MasterChef, Storage Wars and Come Dine with Me, along with originals such as Vegas Rat Rods, True North Calling, Last Car Standing and Newlywed Nearly Dead.

“As premium unscripted original content and formats find new and exciting business models in a multiplatform world, we are excited about working with the Proper team and their global broadcast and creative partners in the years to come,” said Young.