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Bell Media
Bell Media is Canada's leading broadcaster-streamer, aggressively repatriating Hollywood talent and expanding global distribution through its Sphere Abacus acquisition to assert cultural sovereignty on screen.
Current mandate
Bell Media occupies a commanding position in the Canadian media landscape as the operator of CTV, Crave, TSN, and RDS, but its current strategic moment is defined by an outward push. The March 2025 acquisition of a majority stake in London-based distributor Sphere Abacus marked a deliberate move to "own more of the television value chain," in the words of Bell Media executives, and to place Canadian content in front of global audiences rather than simply producing it for domestic consumption. The hire of Sean Cohan as president in October 2023 was widely read by trade observers as the catalyst for this international pivot, and the Sphere Abacus tie-up is its most concrete expression to date.
The acquisition pattern over the past year reflects a dual mandate: repatriate Canadian talent working in Hollywood and build an owned-IP library that travels. Development and production deals with Seth Rogen (via Point Grey Pictures, in partnership with Lionsgate), Elliot Page (Pageboy Productions, starting with the Slo Pitch comedy from Shaftesbury), and Will Arnett are the headline moves in that talent-repatriation effort. At the same time, Bell Media is commissioning projects designed to cross borders from the outset. The gay hockey romance series Heated Rivalry, developed for Crave, was picked up by HBO Max in the U.S., with Sphere Abacus handling international distribution. Anna Pigeon, a co-commission with USA Network produced by Cineflix Studios, December Films, and Seven24 Films, demonstrates Bell Media's appetite for co-productions that open American network windows. The internal framework governing all of this is a production strategy called Northern Lights, which prioritizes owning and controlling content placed on CTV, cable channels, and Crave, while still licensing from Hollywood studios and international suppliers where it makes sense.
Material reaches Bell Media primarily through established production partnerships, co-production structures, and talent-driven development deals rather than through open submission channels. The company's documented relationships run through named production companies (Point Grey Pictures, Pageboy Productions, Shaftesbury, Cineflix Studios, Seven24 Films, December Films) and international partners such as Fremantle, which co-produced the Martin Short-hosted Match Game revival shot in Montreal. Sphere Abacus functions as both a distribution arm and a deal-sourcing node for international co-productions. No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in tracked deal activity; every observed deal has arrived through a production partner, a talent attachment, or a co-commission arrangement with a named broadcaster or studio.
Signature peaks
- Seth Rogen, Elliot Page, Will Arnett Talent Repatriation Deals — Bell Media signed development and production deals with all three Hollywood-based Canadian stars to create content for CTV and Crave.
- Heated Rivalry (Crave + HBO Max) Cross-Border Commission — The gay hockey romance series developed for Crave secured a U.S. pickup by HBO Max, with Sphere Abacus handling international distribution.
- Anna Pigeon (Crave + USA Network) U.S. Network Co-Commission — Bell Media's first co-commission with USA Network, adapted by Canadian showrunner Morwyn Brebner from Nevada Barr's novels.
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- Not disclosed
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Every tracked Bell Media deal has arrived through a named production partner (Shaftesbury, Cineflix Studios, Seven24 Films, December Films, Point Grey Pictures), a talent-driven development arrangement, or a co-commission with a named broadcaster such as USA Network or a studio such as Lionsgate. International material also reaches the company through Sphere Abacus, its London-based distribution subsidiary, which operates in global sales markets. No unsolicited pathway is documented in tracked deal activity.
- Deal structure
- Bell Media structures deals as development and production agreements (often with talent-attached production companies), co-commissions with U.S. and international broadcasters, and majority-stake acquisitions such as the Sphere Abacus deal; distribution rights for Canadian content internationally are increasingly routed through Sphere Abacus rather than licensed to third-party distributors.
Recent acquisitions
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Sphere Abacus (majority stake)
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The Office Movers (Season 3 order)
Market context
Bell Media's Northern Lights strategy and the Sphere Abacus deal signal a company determined to own, control, and sell Canadian content worldwide rather than simply license it.
Bell Media occupies a commanding position in the Canadian media landscape as the operator of CTV, Crave, TSN, and RDS, but its current strategic moment is defined by an outward push. The March 2025 acquisition of a majority stake in London-based distributor Sphere Abacus marked a deliberate move to "own more of the television value chain," in the words of Bell Media executives, and to place Canadian content in front of global audiences rather than simply producing it for domestic consumption. The hire of Sean Cohan as president in October 2023 was widely read by trade observers as the catalyst for this international pivot, and the Sphere Abacus tie-up is its most concrete expression to date.
Common questions about Bell Media
Does Bell Media accept unsolicited scripts?
No unsolicited submission pathway is documented in Bell Media's tracked deal activity. Every observed deal has arrived through a named production company, a talent attachment, or a co-commission arrangement with a broadcaster or studio partner. Writers and producers looking to connect with Bell Media are best served by attaching a recognized Canadian production company, such as Shaftesbury, Cineflix Studios, Seven24 Films, or December Films, all of which have active relationships with the company.
What budgets does Bell Media typically work at?
Bell Media operates across a wide range of budget tiers, from the comedy series Tom Green's Funny Farm for Crave to co-productions with Lionsgate and Fremantle. Specific deal values are not publicly disclosed in tracked activity. The company's Northern Lights strategy prioritizes owned and controlled content for CTV, cable, and Crave, suggesting a preference for projects budgeted to support multi-platform exploitation and international distribution through Sphere Abacus.
What festivals does Bell Media source content from?
Bell Media's documented acquisition and development activity is driven primarily by talent deals and co-production partnerships rather than festival pickups. The company's strategic focus on Canadian content produced under its Northern Lights framework means most projects are developed in-house or through named production partners. Festival-sourced acquisitions are not a prominent feature of Bell Media's tracked deal pattern, though Sphere Abacus, its London-based distribution arm, operates in international markets where festival sales are common.
How do I get my script in front of Bell Media?
Tracked deals consistently flow through established production companies with existing Bell Media relationships, including Shaftesbury, Cineflix Studios, Seven24 Films, December Films, and Point Grey Pictures. Attaching one of these partners, or a talent with a direct Bell Media deal (such as Elliot Page's Pageboy Productions or Seth Rogen's Point Grey Pictures), is the most clearly documented route. International co-production structures, particularly those that open a U.S. or European broadcaster window, also align with Bell Media's current mandate.
What genres is Bell Media currently acquiring?
Bell Media's recent activity spans comedy (Slo Pitch, Tom Green's Funny Farm, The Office Movers), drama (Anna Pigeon, Heated Rivalry), and unscripted formats (Match Game revival with Fremantle). The company has shown a particular appetite for projects with cross-border appeal, especially those that can secure a U.S. network or streaming co-commission. Canadian cultural identity is a consistent thread, with the Northern Lights strategy explicitly prioritizing homegrown stories and talent.
Is Bell Media currently active in the market?
Yes. Bell Media's 27 tracked records over the past 12 months reflect sustained activity, anchored by the March 2025 Sphere Abacus acquisition and a Season 3 order for The Office Movers. The company has active development deals with Seth Rogen, Elliot Page, and Will Arnett, a live co-commission with USA Network (Anna Pigeon), and an international distribution pipeline through Sphere Abacus covering titles including Heated Rivalry, Late Bloomer, and Mark McKinney Needs a Hobby.
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Related reading
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