Blue Ant Media

History

In 2011, former Alliance Atlantis executive Michael MacMillan founded Blue Ant Media. The company was named in reference to the "Blue Ant" trilogy by American-Canadian sci-fi writer William Gibson, since an in-universe company named Blue Ant was portrayed in the novels as being "the company of the future".

MacMillan explained that his goal for the company was to be a producer and distributor of content across multiple platforms, and "not just have individual pieces of content" but be "deep experts" in niche markets with advertiser appeal (such as music, comedy, and travel).

Blue Ant's first investment was to buy a29.9% stake in specialty broadcaster Glassbox Television, owner of specialty networks such as AUX, Bite TV and Travel + Escape — with the option to increase this stake to 75% pending CRTC approval. Glassbox founder Jeffery Elliott was retained as Blue Ant's head of television and digital, joined by former Glassbox CEO Raja Khanna.

On December 21, 2011, Blue Ant Media announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire specialty broadcaster High Fidelity HDTV, initially acquiring 29.1%, with the remaining stake to be purchased after CRTC approval. The acquisition was completed on August 1, 2012.

While awaiting completion of the acquisition of High Fidelity HDTV, the Canadian firm announced a 25% investment by Torstar. At that time, Khanna became head of television and digital after Elliott left the company.

On August 17, 2012, Blue Ant announced that it would buy the specialist channel Bold from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for an undisclosed sum, subject to government approval. After initially acquiring a 15% stake in Canadian publisher Quarto Communications in the summer of 2011, it bought the remainder of the company the following year, which had been renamed Cottage Life Media.

In November 2014, seven months after acquiring a minority stake in the digital media company and multi-channel network Omnia Media, the firm bought a majority stake in Choice TV, marking their first international expansion. In December 2015, Blue Ant Media Corp. and Smithsonian Networks teamed to launch Blue Skye Entertainment, a new UK-based company exclusively focused on 4K content.

In December 2016, Blue Ant partnered with BBC Worldwide to relaunch radX as BBC Earth.

In May 2017, Blue Ant Media bought the Asia-Pacific broadcaster Racat Group, including factual producer NHNZ, Singapore-based studio Beach House Pictures, Sydney-based Northern Pictures, developer Runaway Play, and a majority stake in ZooMoo. The purchase was considered to be complementary to the Blue Ant's factual and nature-oriented programming.

Expansion and acquisitions (2018–2024)

In February 2018, Omnia Media was renamed Blue Ant Digital Studios, coinciding with the launch of several new original series on Facebook Watch, and an accompanying expansion beyond video gaming content. In October 2018, Blue Ant acquired the Toronto-based Saloon Media.

In 2020, Blue Ant Media (BAM) sold its Asian linear networks aside from Love Nature, including Blue Ant Entertainment, Blue Ant Extreme, and ZooMoo, to Rock Entertainment Holdings, a new company led by Blue Ant's then-head of Global Networks & Kids Ward Platt. In October, Blue Ant Media announced its acquisition of the Canadian technology news website MobileSyrup.

In December, BAM entered the free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) market by launching HauntTV, a channel devoted to horror and supernatural programming, on The Roku Channel in Canada. It has since launched several additional FAST channels in Canada and the United States; including CrimeTime, TotalCrime, Homeful, and HistoryTime.

In February 2021, Blue Ant sold its majority stake in New Zealand factual production company NHNZ to producer Julie Christie. It was rebranded as NHNZ Worldwide, with Blue Ant Media retaining a 45% stake in the rebranded company and continuing to own NHNZ's catalogue.

The following month, it expanded its partnership with BBC Studios by relaunching Treasure HD as BBC First. A de facto successor to Corus Entertainment's BBC Canada, the channel had originally been founded by Alliance Atlantis, of which the founder of Blue Ant was an executive.

When it was acquired along with its bookstore in June 2022 and its founders joined Blue Ant, the British distributor Drive Media Rights was merged into its distribution arm, Blue Ant International. In September, Blue Ant Media announced their acquisition of CTV marketplace company Media Pulse, which became a standalone unit within the company.

In January 2023, Blue Ant partnered with World of Wonder on a U.S. FAST channel devoted to international versions of RuPaul's Drag Race.

In August 2023, Blue Ant announced its acquisition of Canadian production company MarbleMedia, and plans to merge their studio operations (aside from Blue Ant's Singaporean subsidiary Beach House Pictures) into a single division; the acquisition would increase Blue Ant's involvement in scripted content. Following the completion of the purchase, MarbleMedia's co-founders Mark Bishop and Matthew Hornburg were named the new co-presidents of Blue Ant Studios, leading the non-scripted and scripted units respectively.

In February 2024, Fremantle acquired a majority stake in Beach House Pictures, including the entirety of Blue Ant's stake.{{cite web|title= Fremantle takes over Beach House Pictures from Blue Ant Media|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/fremantle-takes-over-beach-house-pictures-from-blue-ant-media/|website=C21Media|date=February 8, 2024|access-date=May 9, 2024}} In June 2024, Blue Ant sold MobileSyrup to ZoomerMedia. In August 2024, Blue Ant sold its digital brand Animalogic to Toronto-based digital media company UnderKnown.

Acquisition of Boat Rocker Media assets and reverse takeover (2025–present)

On March 24, 2025, Blue Ant Media announced that it would acquire Jam Filled Entertainment, Insight Productions, and Proper Television from Boat Rocker Media to expand its children's and unscripted businesses. As part of this acquisition, Blue Ant Media would perform a reverse takeover of Boat Rocker and go public on the Toronto Stock Exchange as Blue Ant Media Corporation. Boat Rocker shareholders would hold a 26.5% stake in the company's stock. The remainder of Boat Rocker outside of the acquired assets was sold to its management for CA$18 million, becoming a private company held by its lead executive team. The transaction was completed on August 1, 2025.

On October 2, 2025, Blue Ant Media announced that it had acquired the documentary-oriented streaming service MagellanTV for $12 million. On November 26, 2025, Blue Ant announced that it would acquire Vancouver-based television and telefilm producer Thunderbird Entertainment for $63 million.

Assets

Specialty channels (Canada)

• BBC Earth (Canada)
• BBC First (Canada)
• Cottage Life
• Love Nature
• Makeful
• Smithsonian Channel (Canada)
• T+E

Streaming

• MagellanTV
• FAST channels
  • Love Nature
  • Crime Time
  • Declassified
  • Drag Race Universe
  • Haunt TV
  • HistoryTime
  • Homeful
  • Love Pets
  • Total Crime
  • Nature Moments
  • Nature Time

Studios

• Blue Ant Studios
• Insight Productions
• Jam Filled Entertainment
• Proper Television
• Thunderbird Entertainment
  • Atomic Cartoons
  • Great Pacific Media

Proper Television

Proper Television is a Toronto-based studio focused on non-scripted programming, including reality and documentary-style programs. It was formed in 2004 by Canadian producer Guy O'Sullivan after leaving the BBC; its productions have included adaptations of international reality formats, such as Canada's Worst Driver, Come Dine with Me Canada, The Great Canadian Baking Show, and MasterChef Canada.

In June 2013, Proper Television acquired BuzzTaxi Communications to expand into distribution, with the company renamed Proper Rights.

In April 2017, O'Sullivan died at the age of 49. In September 2017, Proper Television was acquired by Boat Rocker Media; its production operations would continue as an independent division, while Proper Rights was folded into Boat Rocker Rights. O'Sullivan was jointly succeeded by Proper's former vice president of production Lesia Capone, and creative director Cathie James. In 2025, Proper Television was acquired by Blue Ant.

Filmography

Print

• Cottage Life

Former

• A.Side TV
• Animalogic
• Antenna Pictures (London)
• Beach House Pictures (Singapore)
• Blue Ant Entertainment (Asia-Pacific)
• Blue Ant Extreme (Asia-Pacific)
• Choice TV (New Zealand)
• CinemaWorld (Asia-Pacific and Latin America)
• HGTV (New Zealand)
• Love Nature (Asia)
• Makeful (Asia)
• MobileSyrup
• NHNZ (New Zealand)
• ZooMoo (Asia-Pacific and Latin America)

Filmography

References

References

1. Androich, Alicia. (2012-03-28). "Watch Out For The Blue Ant".
2. "Broadcast veteran MacMillan buys GlassBox Television stake".
3. Quan, Danielle Ng See. "Blue Ant leadership shake-up following High Fidelity acquisition".
4. [http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/899171/blue-ant-media-enters-agreement-to-acquire-high-fidelity-hdtv Blue Ant Media Enters Agreement to Acquire High Fidelity HDTV] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-01-11 CNW press release 2011-12-21)
5. [http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/blue-ant-completes-acquisition-of-high-fidelity-hdtv/1001593858/ Blue Ant Completes Acquisition of High Fidelity HDTV] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-08-03 , ''Broadcaster Magazine'', August 1, 2012.)
6. [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-419.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-419] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-05-31 CRTC 2012-08-01)
7. (December 22, 2011). "Torstar acquires 25 per cent stake in Blue Ant Media". Toronto Star.
8. [http://realscreen.com/2012/08/17/blue-ant-to-buy-bold/ Blue Ant to buy Bold] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-08-26 Realscreen.com 2012-08-17)
9. "Quarto, Blue Ant Media team up on specialty channel venture".
10. [http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/109215--blue-ant-media-buys-cottage-life-media-terms-not-immediately-available Blue Ant Media buys Cottage Life Media, terms not immediately available]{{dead link. (July 2017)
11. (April 2014). "Canada's Blue Ant Media Invests in YouTube MCN Omnia Media".
12. (4 November 2014). "Blue Ant takes majority stake in NZ's Choice TV". Real Screen.
13. (4 November 2014). "Blue Ant Acquires Controlling Interest in New Zealand Broadcaster". Broadcaster Magazine.
14. "Choice TV".
15. (December 14, 2015). "Blue Ant Media teams with Smithsonian to launch UK 4K outfit".
16. (6 December 2016). "Blue Ant Media to launch BBC Earth channel in Canada, shut down adventure-focused radX".
17. "How Blue Ant will bolster its kids biz with Racat buy". KidScreen.
18. "Blue Ant debuts 200 hours of kids content". KidScreen.
19. "Blue Ant Media acquires Racat Group in effort to expand globally". The Globe and Mail.
20. Chmielewski, Dawn C.. (2018-02-20). "Omnia Media's Production Arm Renamed Blue Ant Digital As New Facebook Watch Series Debut".
21. "Blue Ant acquires Saloon Media". Realscreen.
22. "Blue Ant Media ramps up APAC biz; Jon Penn leads the return based in Sydney with Jason Soh in Singapore".
23. Rody, Bree. (October 20, 2020). "Exclusive: Blue Ant Media acquires MobileSyrup".
24. [https://playbackonline.ca/2020/12/17/blue-ant-media-launches-haunttv-on-the-roku-channel/ Blue Ant Media launches HauntTV on The Roku Channel] {{Webarchive. link. (2022-04-17 Playback, 2020-12-17)
25. [https://mediaincanada.com/2021/03/18/blue-ant-launches-true-crime-focused-channel-via-roku/ Blue Ant launches streaming true crime channel] {{Webarchive. link. (2022-04-17 MediaInCanada, 2021-03-8)
26. [https://mediaincanada.com/2022/02/09/blue-ant-media-launches-totalcrime-fast-channel/ Blue Ant looks to true crime again for latest FAST play] {{Webarchive. link. (2024-01-17 MediaInCanada, 2022-02-09)
27. [https://playbackonline.ca/2022/02/16/blue-ant-media-launches-lifestyles-focused-fast-channel/ Blue Ant Media launches lifestyles-focused FAST channel] {{Webarchive. link. (2022-04-17 Playback, 2022-02-16)
28. [https://realscreen.com/2022/07/27/blue-ant-media-launches-historytime-on-lg-channels/ Blue Ant Media launches HistoryTime on LG Channels] {{Webarchive. link. (2022-07-27 , Real Screen, 2022-07-27)
29. (February 26, 2021). "Julie Christie Acquires Control of Factual Producer NHNZ".
30. Ramachandran, Naman. (March 3, 2021). "BBC Studios, Blue Ant Media Team to Launch BBC First Channel in Canada (EXCLUSIVE)". [[Variety (magazine).
31. Craig, Sean. (December 6, 2016). "Blue Ant Media to launch BBC Earth channel in Canada, shut down adventure-focused radX". [[Financial Post]].
32. Ravindran, Manori. (June 6, 2022). "Blue Ant International Buys Distributor Drive Media Rights".
33. Summerfield, Patti. (September 29, 2022). "Blue Ant acquires connected TV marketplace Media Pulse".
34. Tangcay, Jazz. (2023-01-17). "Drag Race Universe Channel From World of Wonder and Blue Ant Media Launches in U.S Market (EXCLUSIVE)".
35. Ravindran, Manori. (August 10, 2023). "'Blown Away' Producer MarbleMedia Acquired by Canada's Blue Ant Media, Production and Distribution Merging Into Combined Studio (EXCLUSIVE)".
36. Whittock, Jesse. (2023-11-22). "‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Maker Blue Ant Media Unveils Merged Studios And Rights Structure Following MarbleMedia Acquisition".
37. Thiessen, Connie. (2023-11-22). "Blue Ant Media unveils new leadership across studio and rights business".
38. Frater, Patrick. (2024-02-08). "Fremantle Buys Beach House Pictures, Leading Asian Film and TV Producer".
39. Townsend, Kelly. (June 27, 2024). "ZoomerMedia buys Mobile Syrup from Blue Ant Media".
40. Casemore, Jamie. "Underknown acquires Animalogic from Blue Ant Media".
41. "Blue Ant acquires Boat Rocker production assets and goes public via reverse IPO".
42. Whittock, Jesse. (2025-03-24). "Blue Ant Media Going Public Through Reverse Takeover Of Boat Rocker Media; Boat Rocker Studios Set For MBO".
43. Whittock, Jesse. (2025-08-01). "Canada’s Blue Ant Media Completes Reverse Takeover Of Boat Rocker Media; New Company To Begin Trading Next Week – Update".
44. Kanter, Jake. (2025-10-02). "Blue Ant Media Acquires U.S. Doc Streamer MagellanTV In $12M Deal".
45. Whittock, Jesse. (2025-11-26). "Blue Ant Media To Buy ‘Kim’s Convenience’ Producer Thunderbird Entertainment For $63M".
46. Calvario. (2017-04-10). "Guy O'Sullivan Dies: Reality TV Producer Was 49".
47. Padovano Tong, Joanna. (September 25, 2017). "Proper TV Principal Assets Acquired by Boat Rocker".
48. Middleton, Richard. (June 12, 2013). "Proper TV buys out BuzzTaxi".
49. Bailey, Katie. (September 25, 2017). "Boat Rocker acquires Proper Television, Proper Rights".
50. (September 2017). "Boat Rocker makes Proper acquisition".
51. Whittock, Jesse. (2025-08-01). "Canada's Blue Ant Media Completes Reverse Takeover Of Boat Rocker Media; New Company To Begin Trading Next Week – Update".
52. Pinto, Jordan. (June 29, 2016). "CBC rolls out Canada 150 programming plans".
53. (March 17, 2021). "Production Underway on New CTV Life Channel Original Culinary Series, MARY MAKES IT EASY".
54. (September 28, 2024). "CTV Life Channel's Alluring Original Series LISTING LARGE Debuts OCTOBER 16".
55. "Blue Ant's Look Mom rolls with Demons".
56. (October 29, 2018). "Gary and his Demons launches on CBC". ToonBarn.
57. Pinto, Jordan. (December 2, 2019). "Blue Ant orders hour-long docuseries Restaurants on the Edge".
58. Petski, Denise. (June 20, 2019). "Netflix Orders 'The Healing Powers Of Dude' Family Live Action Comedy Series". [[Deadline Hollywood]].
59. (December 7, 2020). "Saloon Media Signs on to Co-Produce World's Most Scenic River Journeys with Argonon's BriteSpark East".
60. (May 27, 2021). "Peacock Announces Original Documentary Series produced by Blue Ant Studios, Epstein's Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell, Featuring Exclusive Interviews and Never-Before-Seen Video Footage".
61. (16 April 2020). "Quibi Orders Adult Comedy Toon 'Doomlands' from Look Mom!".
62. (January 24, 2023). "FILMRISE AND BLUE ANT INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION WITH back2back productions: “KILLERS: CAUGHT ON CAMERA”".
63. Babiera, Angelica. (2022-10-11). "Crave comedy series by Carolyn Taylor skates into production".
64. (October 10, 2023). "CBC GREENLIGHTS UNSCRIPTED PARANORMAL COMEDY GHOSTING WITH LUKE HUTCHIE AND MATTHEW FINLAN, FROM BLUE ANT STUDIOS".
65. Whittock, Jesse. (January 29, 2024). "Colin Mochrie To Narrate Canadian Version Of Eye-Opening Japanese Format 'Old Enough!', In Which Toddlers Go It Alone".
66. "About Old Enough! - TVO Today".
67. Petski, Denise. (2025-04-29). "Robin Roberts To Host 'Murder Has Two Faces' True-Crime Docuseries From Lisa Cortés & ABC News Studios".
68. (November 9, 2023). "Blue Ant Studios Begins Production on The Inigo Philbrick Story (w/t), a High Profile Story of a Wunderkind Art Dealer Who Defrauded Clients out of $86 Million USD".
69. (February 10, 2025). "Blue Ant Studios and Stretchy Announce Start of Production on 52 x 7' Animated Preschool Series, Tralala, Commissioned by CBC and Sky NZ".
70. Sokic, Nicholas. (September 10, 2025). "Blue Ant, Big Media partner to coproduce, distribute Wild Science".
71. (September 10, 2025). "BIG Media, Blue Ant Studios & Love Nature Team for Wild Science".
72. (March 25, 2024). "BIG MEDIA to begin production on 'Wild Science', second series for ZDF Studios".
73. Sokic, Nicholas. (January 29, 2025). "Blue Ant Media greenlights five originals, renews four".