Radial Entertainment Emerges from Oaktree's Merging of Shout! Studios and FilmRise
Deal News | Jul 01, 2025 | EIN
Oaktree Capital Management has announced the formation of Radial Entertainment, a global entertainment entity created through the merger of Shout! Studios and FilmRise. This merger consolidates one of the largest independent catalogs in the industry, with a library of approximately 70,000 titles. The new company will operate under the Radial Entertainment brand while retaining the individual identities of Shout! Studios and FilmRise. Garson Foos, co-founder and CEO of Shout! Studios, has been appointed as CEO of Radial Entertainment, while Danny Fisher, co-founder and CEO of FilmRise, will take on the role of executive chairman. FilmRise's portfolio features ad-supported streaming and non-scripted content, whereas Shout! Studios focuses on scripted content. The merger aims to bolster Oaktree's media presence, leveraging its Special Situations strategy. Oaktree plans further expansion through acquisitions and partnerships. Salem Partners and Guggenheim Securities acted as financial advisors, and legal advisory was provided by Greenberg Traurig and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
Sectors
- Media and Entertainment
- Private Equity
- Streaming Services
Geography
- United States – The companies involved, Shout! Studios and FilmRise, as well as Oaktree Capital, are based in the U.S.
Industry
- Media and Entertainment – The merger forms a new global entertainment company consolidating two large distributors, Shout! Studios and FilmRise, into Radial Entertainment.
- Private Equity – Oaktree Capital Management, a prominent private equity firm, orchestrates the merger to enhance its investment portfolio in the media space.
- Streaming Services – One of the focal points of the merger is to leverage streaming platforms, as FilmRise specializes in ad-supported streaming content.
Financials
- 70,000 – The library of movie and television titles brought together in the merger.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radial Entertainment | Target | Company | A newly formed global entertainment company resulting from the merger of Shout! Studios and FilmRise. |
| Shout! Studios | Selling Company | Company | An independent film and television distributor focusing on scripted content. |
| FilmRise | Selling Company | Company | A distributor specializing in ad-supported streaming and monetization of non-scripted content. |
| Oaktree Capital Management | Bidding Company | Company | A private equity firm facilitating the merger of Shout! Studios and FilmRise to create Radial Entertainment. |
| Salem Partners | Financial Advisor | Company | Financial and investment banking advisor to Oaktree and Shout! Studios. |
| Guggenheim Securities | Financial Advisor | Company | Financial advisor to FilmRise. |
| Greenberg Traurig | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal representation to Shout! Studios. |
| Manatt, Phelps & Phillips | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal representation to FilmRise. |