Your Favorite Shows Might Be Up for Sale
By Movieguide® Contributor
In 2022, Amazon purchased MGM Studios for $8.5 billion. Part of that deal was MGM Alternative, which the company has been considering selling.
MGM Alternative produces hit shows THE VOICE, SURVIVOR, SHARK TANK, BRAVO’S VANDERPUMP RULES, REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS and other productions.
“The company has been approached by a number of possible suitors, though there is no guarantee a deal will come to fruition,” The Hollywood Reporter said Aug. 27. “Unscripted TV remains a staple of broadcast TV, cable and streaming, and MGM Alternative has a number of reality franchises (many of them brought to it via mega producer Mark Burnett, who used to run the division). MGM acquired Burnett’s production company a decade ago, and he left the company after the Amazon acquisition.”
“Following Burnett’s departure, the MGM unscripted division was moved under Chris Brearton, who left earlier this year,” C21 Media reported.
Movieguide® reported at the time of the acquisition:
“The storied, nearly century-old studio — with more than 4,000 film titles, 17,000 TV episodes, 180 Academy Awards, and 100 Emmy Awards — will complement Prime Video and Amazon Studios’ work in delivering a diverse offering of entertainment choices to customers,” Amazon wrote in a statement.
Within MGM Alternative are Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment. The latter created ON PATROL: LIVE FOR REELZ.
The sale would slim down Amazon’s assets as it edges closer to franchise productions, like THE LORD OF THE RINGS and live sports. Unscripted shows may not be part of the company’s plan, even if they are popular.
Deadline said, “It’s not certain that Amazon would sell the division as a deal might not materialize. Insiders said that the division, which also is behind upcoming titles including Travis Kelce-fronted ARE YOU SMATER THAN A CELEBRITY? and WISH LIST GAMES, hosted by Nick Cannon, is profitable.”
