Endeavor invests in Asylum Entertainment as group looks to “supercharge” M&A plans

Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed

US entertainment group Endeavor has invested in LA-based Asylum Entertainment Group – the parent company of production companies The Content Group, Texas Crew Productions, Big City TV, Breaklight Pictures, and Audity.

Asylum will become part of Endeavor’s unscripted content division, led by Rebecca Sanhueza, EVP of content strategy & development and head of non-scripted content at Endeavor. Asylum’s CEO Steve Michaels and president Jodi Flynn will report to Sanhueza.

The deal – financial terms of which were not disclosed – will give Asylum the financing and resources to “supercharge its footprint” through domestic and international M&A. The group’s slate of reality, documentary and other unscripted series includes 30 for 30, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, American Cartel, King of the Con, Sins of the Amish and How I Caught My Killer.

“Rebecca is a key architect of Endeavor’s content strategy,” said Endeavor president Mark Shapiro. “She played a crucial role in developing both Endeavor Content and IMG’s original content business, and brings the vision and strategy necessary to realize our global ambitions in nonscripted.

“Asylum is the ideal complement to our existing portfolio, and Steve will have our full support in building out an industry-leading nonscripted business,” added Shapiro.

Asylum’s acquired Austin-based indie Texas Crew Productions, which is behind Phi Slama Jama for ESPN and the reboot of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! for Travel, in September. The deal added to its holdings, including scripted division Asylum TV and audio platform Audity, as well as unscripted label The Content Group, which encompasses Breaklight Pictures, Big City TV and 72 Steps Media.