Entertainment One Acquires U.K.'s Audio Network In $215 Million Deal

Sunnucks, Smith, Taylor & Throop

ENTERTAINMENT ONE has entered into an agreement to acquire U.K.-based AUDIO NETWORK, one of the world’s largest independent creators and publishers of original high-quality music for use in film, television, advertising and digital media, for $215 million. The announcement was made by eONE President/CEO DARREN THROOP and Global Pres./Music CHRIS TAYLOR as well as AUDIO NETWORK Founder/Chairman ANDREW SUNNUCKS and CEO ROBB SMITH. 

With nine offices and teams around the world, AUDIO NETWORK has forged relationships with more than 1000 composers, singer/songwriters and emerging commercial artists.

The addition of AUDIO NETWORK adds to eONE’s integrated partner offerings and full-scope capabilities, generating more monetization opportunities for eOne commercial artists through relationship-based sync placements.

“As we continue to unlock the power and value of creativity for artists, we are very pleased to welcome AUDIO NETWORK, whose passionate management team and ambition align entirely with ours," THROOP said. "The combination of eONE’s front-end commercial artist catalog and AUDIO NETWORK’s extensive premium production music creates a one-stop solution for business customers seeking high-quality music."

“ANDREW, ROBB and their brilliant team with decades of industry experience have built an unparalleled global sync company and eONE’s capabilities across music will be significantly bolstered by their impressive scale and roster of artists, composers and catalog," TAYLOR said. "We are looking forward to working alongside them through their next phase of growth."

AUDIO NETWORK music is featured in high-end television and advertising productions through to user-generated content on digital and social platforms, with customers spanning across TV broadcast, advertising, digital media and enterprise industries. In addition to their expansive catalog of over 150,000 fully-owned tracks, AUDIO NETWORK new album releases continue to increase, spanning all music genres.

“Our relationships with artists and composers have been at the heart of our business from the very start," SUNNUCKS said. "In joining eONE, we are becoming part of an incredible global entertainment family and will have the continued opportunity to create and record the world’s best music and share it globally."

"Their platform-agnostic content strategy, combined with an alignment of culture, values and vision for the future of the business, make eONE an ideal partner for our teams around the world," SMITH said. "This is going to be game-changing.”

As AUDIO NETWORK becomes part of eONE’s group of music and live companies under the leadership of TAYLOR, the company will continue to operate with the team and brand that has seen it emerge as an industry leader over many years. Following the transaction, SUNNUCKS will continue to play a significant role at AUDIO NETWORK, in the capacity of Chairman, and the existing executive management team under SMITH will remain in place. 

« see more Net News