Gravity Media acquires Chief Entertainment to expand Australian presence
Details
Louise Duffy
| 20 August 2019

Production services specialist Gravity Media has agreed to acquire Chief Entertainment, a Sydney-based provider of live studio and production services, from Telstra Corporation.

Boasting around 50 staff, Chief provides production and digital media delivery services to TV networks, sporting federations, entertainment franchises, agencies and commercial brands and produces short and long-form programmes for both live and post-produced, as well as branded content and commercials. With Telstra fibre connectivity in and out of the building, it can send and receive content on a global basis.

Gravity currently operates in Australia under the Gearhouse Broadcast, HyperActive Broadcast and Input Media brands and the acquisition is intended to complement its existing Input Media production centres in the UK as well as its Melbourne production and Sydney post-production facilities. The transaction is expected to complete by the end of August, subject to certain conditions being satisfied.

Once the deal has closed, Chief Entertainment will continue to operate under its existing name and branding until it is fully integrated with Gravity Media’s Australia operations. Hamish Cameron, CEO of Chief Entertainment, will be stepping down as CEO but will continue to work with Gravity Media as it integrates Chief’s operations with those of its existing Australian businesses. Under its new ownership, Chief Entertainment will continue to provide Telstra Corporation with production services for its enterprise division, digital sports rights and media services.

Commenting on the deal, Gravity Media founder and CEO John Newton said: “Chief Entertainment has achieved significant external revenue growth over the past three years, has an impressive customer base and is respected for the quality of the work it delivers. Our Gearhouse Broadcast and Input Media businesses have worked with Chief Entertainment for many years and we see it as a natural fit with our existing businesses in Australia.

“Chief Entertainment’s strengths include strong relationships with major Australian national sporting bodies, music and entertainment industries, as well as the creation of multi-platform entertainment and corporate television programmes involving some of Australia’s premier talent. We look forward to working with the Chief Entertainment team to continue to grow our content production capabilities and deliver enhanced services to our clients.”