Entertainment One Takes Stake In, Signs First-Look Deal With Canvas Media Studios

Canadian entertainment company Entertainment One (eOne) has announced today an equity investment in Canvas Media Studios (CMS), the digital startup founded by the Emmy-winning Lizzie Bennet Diaries creator Bernie Su and noted media veteran David Tochterman.

While eOne is an indie studio that acquires, distributes, and produces content, CMS is behind the upcoming MTV crime thriller Socio, about a social media-obsessed teen who investigates a serial killer. The digital-first studio also recently inked a development deal with the actress Jennette McCurdy, and produced the Emmy-nominated Vanity series for StyleHaul.

As part of the investment — the amount of which was not disclosed — CMS will expand its distribution, production, and financing of premium scripted content for both digital and traditional distribution outlets, working with eOne Television on a first-look basis. (eOne Television is the division of the company that distributes series to TV networks and digital platforms worldwide.)

“As we think about the future of storytelling, we are pleased to be in business with innovators that bring new models to the table and complement our business,” John Morayniss, CEO of eOne Television, said in a statement. Added Su: “eOne is a progressive global company that continuously identifies and produces great stories. We’re incredibly honored that a company with this track record is putting such faith into Canvas Media Studios.”

Other projects currently on tap at CMS include a slate based on four New Leaf Literary young adult novels and a 360 scripted comedy produced alongside The Young Turks titled The Mobile Oval. Prior investors in CMS include Third Wave Capital and MNM Partners, linking up Su and Tochterman with famed Machinima founder Allen Debevoise.