Blue Ant Media has entered an agreement to pick up select assets from Boat Rocker Media as part of a reverse takeover that will allow the Blue Ant to more easily go public. 

The agreement also allows Blue Ant to scoop up Boat Rocker’s standalone prodcos—animation service studio Jam Filled Entertainment (The Loud House) plus unscripted-content banners Proper Television (Junior Chef Showdown) and Insight Productions (Big Brother Canada).

Blue Ant shareholders are expected to own a 73.5% stake in these assets once the deal closes, with Boat Rocker Media shareholders retaining 26.5%.

Simultaneously, a management buyout by the trio leading Boat Rocker Media—Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (co-founders and co-executive chairmen), as well as CEO John Young—includes everything else from the studio’s business.

This separate transaction will transfer ownership of Boat Rocker Studios’ content investment business, including all projects (both completed and ongoing)—such as Dino Ranch (pictured), Daniel Spellbound, Remy & Boo and upcoming series The Sunnyridge 3—along with the company’s production, distribution, brand assets and operations. 

The management buyout is expected to close in June (pending shareholder and regulatory approvals)—with no changes expected in leadership, operations and locations, according to an internal memo from Boat Rocker leadership obtained by Kidscreen.

The buyout will pave the road to an “enhanced strategic focus and flexibility to capitalize on the exciting content creation, investment and partnership opportunities we see in the global marketplace,” said Schneeberg, Fortier and Young in a joint statement. “We will be more agile than ever, allowing us to move faster and lean in closer to projects we believe in.”

“We will be better positioned to invest in amazing content and better able to ensure that the projects we are part of achieve their fullest potential, both in terms of entertainment value and worldwide sales.”