News

Reality TV producer Efran Films has rebranded as Bright North Studios after Jeff Zucker and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Imi closed an acquisition of the Toronto-based production banner.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition follows RedBird Imi paying $1.45 billion to acquire the British TV and film production powerhouse All3Media from Warner Bros. Discovery and Liberty Global. Adding to its global production business, RedBird Imi has named co-founder Morgan Hertzan as CEO of Bright North Studios USA, while Shawn Efran continues as CEO of Bright North Studios Inc.

Canadian regulators approved the takeover deal. In an earlier move, RedBird Imi acquired a stake in Media Res, the studio behind the Apple TV+ shows The Morning Show and Pachinko, founded by former HBO executive Michael Ellenberg.

The renamed Bright North Studios has produced reality TV series like FBI True (CBS), Never Seen Again (Paramount+), 100 Days to Indy...

RedBird Imi, the media investment firm led by CEO Jeff Zucker, has acquired Bright North Studios, the TV production company previously known as Efran Films Canada.

Toronto-based Efran Films Canada is rebranding as Bright North Studios. The company, which specializes in narrative nonfiction TV, has produced shows including “FBI True” (CBS), “Never Seen Again” and “Pd True” (Paramount+), “100 Days to Indy” (CW), “While the Rest of Us Die” (Vice TV), and “Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?” (Investigation Discovery).

Financial terms of RedBird Imi’s acquisition of Efran Films were not disclosed. As part of the deal, Shawn Efran will continue as CEO of Bright North Studios and co-founder Morgan Hertzan will assume the role of CEO of Bright North Studios USA. Hertzan and Efran previously worked together at “60 Minutes” and sold Lx.TV to Zucker. Hertzan was most recently president of global TV at Vice Media Group, where he oversaw all television operations.

Pd True is streaming on Paramount+ and it is not a true crime series you want to let slip under your radar! Here’s everything to know about the documentary series.

These days, there’s no shortage of true crime series and documentaries. Needless to say, it is one of the most popular genres (and my personal favorite), but as much as I enjoy discovering new docuseries to watch, they aren’t all worth the hype. At the same time, there’s always that one show that manages to slip under the radar since there are so many! Is Pd True on Paramount+ one you need to be watching?

Paramount+’s Pd True is described as a “gripping series” that follows some of the biggest and most thrilling cases from the point of view of law enforcement, taking audiences along for the ride. That’s what sets this documentary apart,...

It’s the first full week of August, and that can mean a lot of different things depending on what stage of life you’re in. For kids from elementary school to college, the start of the 2024-25 school year is looming, if it isn’t beginning today.

For everyone else, it means the long, hot summer is entering its dog days, and while the tantalizing relief of September is coming, it’s not here yet. Fortunately, I’m here with another edition of my weekly column to help take the heat off by showing you the newest shows and movies coming to top streaming services this week.

Monday, Aug. 5 ‘Judy Justice’ Season 3 Premiere | Freevee

The Queen of the Courtroom is back and bigger than ever! Judge Judy Sheindlin presides over new cases and helps real people with her signature blend of sharp wit and wisdom, hilarious candor, and unwavering honesty.