Buyer Database · Buyer / Distributor · Updated
Radial Entertainment
Radial Entertainment, the newly formed parent of FilmRise and Shout! Studios backed by Oaktree Capital Management, is actively licensing its FAST channel portfolio into major carrier and streaming platforms across North America.
Current mandate
Radial Entertainment is a newly formed global entertainment company operating the FilmRise and Shout! Studios brands, backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management. Its most recent landmark deal is a licensing agreement with Telus Communications to bring five fan-favorite FAST channels to Telus' streaming platforms in Canada, launching on the Telus TV+ app for all Optik TV and Stream+ subscribers at no additional cost. The company is actively deploying its library across FAST and AVOD platforms in North America, with Canadian distribution now a confirmed priority following the Telus agreement.
Over the past twelve months, Radial's activity has centered on high-volume factual and unscripted content, particularly true crime docuseries, leveraging the combined libraries of FilmRise and Shout! Studios. The company's library contains more than 70,000 movies and episodes across genres including true crime, reality, animation, action, westerns, medical, food, and horror. This scale positions Radial as a significant supplier to FAST platforms seeking destination-viewing content and longer channel session durations, a trend currently driving aggressive acquisition activity across the sector.
Access to Radial runs primarily through its North American digital distribution leadership. Daniel Gagliardi, EVP of North American Digital Distribution, is the named decision-maker on platform licensing deals. With 29 decision-makers tracked internally and a new CEO, Paramount Global alum Jeff Shultz, taking charge from January 1, 2026, the company's dealmaking infrastructure is actively staffed and expanding.
Signature peaks
- 5 FAST Channels Licensed to Telus — Fan-favorite channels launched on Telus TV+ for Optik TV and Stream+ subscribers at no additional cost
- 70,000+ Library Depth — Movies and episodes spanning true crime, reality, animation, action, westerns, medical, food, and horror
- 29 Decision Makers Tracked — Active dealmaking infrastructure across North American digital distribution and content leadership
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- true crime, factual
- Territory focus
- US and Canada (Radial); worldwide (Woodcut International)
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Primary access runs through Daniel Gagliardi, EVP of North American Digital Distribution, who is the named spokesperson and deal lead on platform licensing agreements. Incoming CEO Jeff Shultz (effective January 1, 2026) is expected to set broader acquisition strategy. With 29 decision-makers tracked, Radial has a distributed dealmaking structure; rights holders with completed factual or true crime content suited to FAST and AVOD distribution are the most relevant inbound profile.
- Deal structure
- Radial structures deals primarily as licensing agreements for FAST channel distribution and AVOD library placement, as evidenced by the Telus Communications agreement covering five channels. Deals are typically platform-facing rather than production-financing arrangements. Content with existing audience bases and high episode counts is preferred, consistent with the company's strategy of building destination viewing on FAST platforms across North America.
Market context
"Partnering with Telus, a communications technology powerhouse serving millions of Canadians, allows us to leverage our FAST expertise on a scale that will truly transform how audiences discover and enjoy premium content." — Daniel Gagliardi, EVP of North American Digital Distribution
Expanding a proven true crime franchise with a female-focused angle aligns with sustained audience demand for true crime factual content and growing emphasis on diverse creative perspectives in unscripted programming.
Common questions about Radial Entertainment
Does Radial Entertainment accept unsolicited scripts or pitches?
Radial Entertainment operates primarily as a distributor and FAST channel operator rather than a traditional development buyer. Its mandate centers on licensing existing library content and acquiring completed or near-completed unscripted and factual programming, particularly true crime docuseries. Unsolicited script submissions are not consistent with its current public-facing activity. Rights holders with finished or near-finished factual content are a more appropriate fit than writers pitching at the script stage.
What budgets or deal sizes does Radial Entertainment work with?
No specific acquisition budgets or deal amounts have been publicly disclosed by Radial Entertainment. The company's activity is oriented toward high-volume library licensing and FAST channel distribution rather than large individual production investments. Its backing by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management suggests institutional financial support, but deal-level figures have not been reported in available coverage.
Does Radial Entertainment acquire content through film festivals?
No festival acquisition activity has been reported for Radial Entertainment in recent coverage. The company's current strategy focuses on FAST and AVOD platform licensing of existing library titles and factual series with established audience bases. Rights holders attending markets such as MIPCOM or Content London may find more relevant touchpoints than traditional festival acquisition circuits, given Radial's distribution-first orientation.
How do you reach Radial Entertainment to pitch or license content?
Daniel Gagliardi, Executive VP of North American Digital Distribution, is the named decision-maker on platform and licensing deals, as confirmed by the Telus Communications announcement. Radial also has 29 decision-makers tracked across its organization. Incoming CEO Jeff Shultz, a Paramount Global alum taking charge from January 1, 2026, is expected to shape broader strategic priorities. Industry events and direct outreach to the North American digital distribution team represent the most documented access pathways.
What genres is Radial Entertainment focused on right now?
True crime docuseries and unscripted documentary programming are the primary content focus, consistent with FAST platform demand for destination-viewing categories. The broader library spans reality, animation, action, westerns, medical, food, and horror across more than 70,000 movies and episodes. High-volume factual series with existing audience bases are explicitly prioritized, reflecting the company's strategy of driving channel session duration on FAST and AVOD platforms.
Is Radial Entertainment currently active and making deals?
Yes. Radial's most recent confirmed deal is a licensing agreement with Telus Communications, bringing five FAST channels to the Telus TV+ app for Optik TV and Stream+ subscribers in Canada. Activity metrics show 31 total records over the past twelve months and a deal velocity signal as recently as May 2026. With a new CEO onboarding from January 2026 and 29 tracked decision-makers, the company's dealmaking operations are active and staffed for continued North American expansion.
Adjacent buyers in this lane
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