Imagine Entertainment, the production banner run by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, has been the subject of renewed acquisition talks in recent weeks, according to multiple sources. Investors and potential buyers include an undisclosed sovereign wealth fund from the Middle East, which has been quietly exploring American media investments of late. Also kicking the tires on Imagine are Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, the former Disney executives who have a bankroll of up to $2 billion from private equity giant Blackstone to buy up independent content companies; as well as international banks.
CBS is in advanced discussions with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Simon Cowell to produce the next big music competition series. The show, 50 States to Stardom, will mix a music competition with a unique documentary format in order to discover America’s next greatest talent. The docuseries will profile all 50 states in the U.S. and choose one talented musician from each. The process will culminate in a showcase competition ending in the determination of the most talented musician in the country.
Exclusives
General Electric aims to create high-quality branded content that will highlight scientific innovation, some of it involving scientists who work for or with the company. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard are producers of the Breakthrough series that will appear on the National Geographic Channel beginning in November.
Leslie Moonves, Al Michaels, Bob Schieffer, Dick Wolf, Ron Howard and the late Philo Farnsworth, who invented electronic television, were honored at ceremonies Monday night in Los Angeles that drew a glittering industry crowd.
ABC, NBC and Fox are in pursuit of Imagine TV/20th Century Fox TV’s untitled Sarah Silverman comedy co-written by and starring the irreverent comedian, with at least two networks, ABC and NBC, offering major commitments. The project has become a pet project of Imagine principal Ron Howard.
