Tag Archives: Anthem Sports and Entertainment Corporation

wrestling

Iconic ‘WOS’ British Wrestling to Return to ITV

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MANCHESTER | NASHVILLE – ITV Studios Entertainment Manchester announced today that it has teamed up with IMPACT Wrestling, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp.,  to bring WOS Wrestling back to ITV, with an initial commission for a 10-part series.

The commission from ITV’s Helen Warner follows a successful one-off-special, which aired on New Year’s Eve 2016. The Executive Producers for ITV Studios are Tom McLennan and Simon Marsh. Jeff Jarrett, the Chief Creative Officer for IMPACT Wrestling, will be the Executive Producer for IMPACT Wrestling.

Thirty years after the original WOS ended – and legendary stars such as Big Daddy, Mick McManus and Rollerball Rocco left British screens – this new series will feature the very best of today’s wrestlers from the current red-hot U.K. wrestling scene.

They will compete in front of a live audience at the intimate Preston Guild Hall on Thursday 25th May and Friday 26th May (doors 7pm / bell time 7.30pm).

Tickets for these historic shows will go on sale at 9am on Friday 7th April from Gigsandtours.com /Ticketmaster.co.uk / prestonguildhall.co.uk

There will also be a launch event this Monday (27th March) at 2 pm in Manchester, where the full details of the WOS live shows will be announced, including the roster. Press and fans are invited to attend to the launch, which will include a Q&A and meet & greet. Places are extremely limited, to reserve one please email wswaudience@itv.com

This initial commission is part of a comprehensive co-production agreement between ITV Studios and IMPACT Wrestling to relaunch the WOS Wrestling brand, bringing British stars to ITV while leveraging the roster and creative team of IMPACT Wrestling along with its expertise in live event production and international distribution.

“This opportunity to work with ITV Studios to revive this iconic brand in the United Kingdom is a perfect example of the ways in which we intend to leverage our strengths to build our presence in international markets in collaboration with local organizations,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling.

Director of Entertainment, ITV Studios Manchester, Tom McLennan said: “Britain’s wrestling scene is thriving and there has never been a better time to bring it back to ITV after a gap of 30 years.”

Jeff Jarrett, Chief Creative Officer for IMPACT Wrestling, added: “The WOS brand is etched in professional wrestling tradition. My family’s lineage in the industry dates back 70-plus years, so I am honoured for the opportunity to work on reviving the legacy of this historic British series.”

wrestling

Anthem Sports & Entertainment Forms Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC., Acquires Control of IMPACT Wrestling

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For Immediate Release – January 4, 2017

Toronto, Canada (January 4, 2017) – Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in TNA IMPACT Wrestling, and has formed Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC.  Anthem also owns Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, which is IMPACT Wrestling’s exclusive broadcast partner in Canada and worldwide digital partner.

“We are thrilled to have acquired TNA IMPACT Wrestling,” said Ed Nordholm, Executive Vice President of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., the parent of Fight Network. “As we grow Anthem’s linear, digital and mobile platforms globally, top tier content with global appeal is key to that success and this acquisition is a perfect strategic addition to our portfolio. IMPACT has been a dominant wrestling brand around the world for more than a decade and we are confident that Anthem can leverage its assets and strategic partnerships to take IMPACT Wrestling to even greater heights.”

Mr. Nordholm, who has been the managing director of the IMPACT Ventures Board of Managers since October 2016, will assume the position of President of Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC. Dixie Carter will resign from her position as Chairman of Impact Ventures and join the Advisory Board of Fight Media Group, which holds all of the combat sports-related assets of Anthem, where her focus will be on the global growth of the combat sports-related brands owned by Anthem.

“Anthem has been a great partner for many years,” added Dixie Carter. “We have worked hard to find the right company who would acquire TNA, use its strategic influence and have a long-term commitment to the brand. TNA’s incredible fans, talent and staff deserved to see the brand continue to thrive after 15+ years of incredible growth.  I’m excited to move to a new position and work with Anthem on their global strategic plan, and I am confident TNA IMPACT Wrestling is going to be a huge part of their success.”

Ms. Carter will remain a minority equity stakeholder.
Fight Network

Anthem’s FNTSY Sports Network and Fight Network to Launch on Suddenlink Communications Across the U.S.

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
TORONTO (July 6, 2015) — Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. announced today that Fantasy Sports Network (FNTSY), the world’s first-ever channel dedicated to fantasy sports, and Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports television channel, have launched on Suddenlink Communications across the U.S., making the channels available to Suddenlink’s base of approximately 1.5 million subscribers across the country.
Suddenlink is the seventh-largest U.S. cable company, serving customers in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and other markets.
Both channels will be available in high-definition (HD) on Suddenlink’s Sports Plus Tier.
FNTSY Sports Network is the world’s first-ever 24/7 television network designed from the ground up to inform, engage and entertain the more than 57 million enthusiasts who play fantasy sports annually and on a daily basis. The destination channel for fantasy sports players, its programming includes exciting live studio programming, call-in shows, expert panels, celebrity and expert drafts, reality programming and on-site commentary from sports venues, as well as short-form programming from the experts around the continent, providing fantasy sports discussion and analysis for football, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, hockey, NASCAR and other sports.
Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news and analysis, as well as fight-themed drama, reality series, documentaries and feature films. Fight Network’s dynamic programming lineup includes live events from around the world and extensive news coverage. Fight Network is already available in the U.S., Canada and over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“Within just one year of our launch, we have hit another milestone with our distribution on Suddenlink because of its reach across the country,” said Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. “With a high demand for live and fresh sports programming, both FNTSY Sports Network and Fight Network and are now available on two top 10 cable providers in the U.S., fulfilling the entertainment needs of new subscribers across the country with our engaging sports properties.”
“FNTSY Sports Network and Fight Network offer sports enthusiasts new viewing and information options that complement the huge variety we offer in our sports packages,” said Suddenlink Senior Vice President and Chief Programming Officer Kathy Payne. “Fantasy sports popularity, in particular, has grown rapidly in recent years and our new offerings will help meet demands of that audience.”
FNTSY Sports Network and Fight Network are owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp.