Asacha Media Group acquires Arrow International Media

Asacha Media Group has acquired a majority stake in UK-headquartered factual production company, Arrow International Media. “Arrow’s market-leading position in the fast-growing factual space, along with their strong leadership and ambitious plans for the future, make them an ideal fit for Asacha," Gaspard de Chavagnac and Marina Williams, Asacha’s co-CEOs, said. "Bringing them into our Group makes us a major player in English language factual across key markets including the US and UK. Our focus will be accelerating Arrow’s growth and extending their reach into new territories as they build on their reputation for world-class series and features that captivate global audiences. “

The acquisition of Arrow, financed with a mix of equity provided by the existing shareholders and debt financing provided by Tikehau Capital, represents a significant expansion for Asacha in the factual space, further growing the Group’s English language output, while adding a strong new US presence. As part of Asacha, Arrow will pursue further growth in the UK and US, while expanding into new markets and exploring international co-production opportunities with other factual producers within the pan-European group.

In correlation with Asacha’s previous acquisitions and partnership structure, Tom Brisley and Iain Pelling will retain a minority stake in Arrow, while Brisley also becomes a shareholder in Asacha, alongside the founders of the business and other managers of Asacha’s production companies, who also reinvested in the Group. Brisley and Pelling will continue to lead Arrow as Co-Managing Directors, while John Smithson has chosen to step back from the company. He will deliver his current productions and then work independently, with Arrow and Asacha having a first look deal on new projects.“Our commitment to working with the best talent and storytellers remains,"  Iain Pelling, Co-Managing Director, Arrow, said. "Asacha will empower us to grow and develop clients in new territories faster than ever before.”

Founded in 2011 by Brisley, John Smithson, and Pelling, Arrow has become a large UK independent supplier of true crime programming, while annually delivering over 100 hours across genres that also include history, nature, adventure, science, and more. Arrow’s recent slate includes notable successes such as “See No Evil” and “American Monster” for Investigation Discovery, “Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom” for National Geographic and Disney+ and “Seven Days on Mars” for the BBC.

The acquisition of Arrow continues Asacha’s track record as one of the fastest growing production studios in Europe. Since launching in April 2020 with majority stakes in Italian production houses, Picomedia and Stand By Me, and French production company Mintee Studio, the Paris-headquartered business has continued to invest in market-leading producers across Europe. This has included taking controlling stakes in UK factual producer WAG Entertainment, leading UK drama producer Red Planet Pictures, French scripted studios Kabo Family and multi-award-winning French producer Srab Films.

"Asacha is one of the hottest groups in the TV industry. They are dynamic and fleet of foot, with excellent relationships across Europe, a market we would love to explore further, as well as having huge international ambitions," Tom Brisley, Co-Managing Director, Arrow, said. "With the same culture and high-quality delivery as Arrow, the access they give us into new markets makes them the perfect partner. Becoming part of an independent group allows Arrow the freedom to continue to work for anyone, anywhere and everywhere. We are thrilled to be joining forces with Asacha. They match our ambitions and our understanding of Arrow’s global potential.”