Gravity Media Group acquires leading sports production company Input Media

Gravity Media Group acquires leading sports production company Input Media posted: 05/06/2017

Deal enables broadcast services specialist to meet growing industry demand for both production and facilities requirements

Gravity Media Group (GMG), the owner of worldwide broadcast services specialists Gearhouse Broadcast and Hyperactive Broadcast, has acquired Input Media. One of Europes leading sports production companies, Input Media, will retain its branding, current leadership team and staff, and continue to serve its extensive client base. The multi-million pound transaction is the first major acquisition that GMG has made since securing substantial investment from investment management firm TowerBrook Capital Partners in September 2016 to fund future growth.

The deal will enable Gravity Media Group to diversify its businesses into new areas and broaden the global service offering. It will also strengthen GMG's ability to provide end-to-end solutions including high-end production and technical facilities. This is a service that clients are increasingly requesting as they look to further improve operational work flows and drive cost efficiencies. The deal opens the door to new commercial models for emerging technologies such as remote production, with Input Media overseeing productions from its London HQ and Gearhouse Broadcast handling the onsite facilities. Input Media's expansive fibre and satellite infrastructure means it is able to connect with any facility or venue in the world via IP enabling it to introduce these work flows and operational efficiencies to GMG's current clients.

Acquisition will meet growing demand from Gravity Media Group customers to provide end-to-end production and facilities capabilities

For more than 25 years Input Media has been producing top-quality programming and using cutting-edge technology to deliver flexible broadcast solutions for some of the biggest sports federations, broadcasters and football clubs in the world. Its clients include UEFA, The FA, BBC Sport, ITV Sport, the French Tennis Federation, the International Tennis Federation, Pitch International, Box Nation and Premier League clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Input Media has worked alongside GMG company Gearhouse Broadcast for ten years on multiple projects, and in 2015 Gearhouse was their systems integration partner completing an innovative and flexible solution for new production galleries at their west London production facility.

With many broadcasters and content owners looking to outsource their production and facilities requirements we found we were receiving more and more requests for these end-to-end type services. said John Newton, Chief Executive Officer at Gravity Media Group. When we started to think about servicing these requests we identified Input Media as the ideal partner very early on. They are well respected with a strong track record for excellence and an established leadership already in place who we know very well.

Input Medias founder, David Wood, who will remain as chairman said: Weve built the company over the years on a foundation of strong production values and technical expertise, so I'm delighted that we've found a partner in Gravity Media Group that shares these beliefs and will help us to continue to grow our business both in the UK and internationally. Having been a customer of theirs, I have always been impressed by their innovative and flexible approach, and I am confident that together we can address the increasing need from the sports production industry to provide outsourced all-encompassing seamless end-to-end solutions.

About Gravity Media Group

Gravity Media Group was formed in 2000 as a holding company, and owns, operates and acquires businesses serving the live broadcast sector globally.

Gearhouse Broadcast is a market leader in the field of broadcast services and specialises in broadcast equipment rental, equipment sales, project solutions and systems integration. Operating globally from its offices in the UK, US, Australia, France and UAE, the company offers huge experience and a proven track record in delivering major sporting and entertainment events.

Hyperactive Broadcast was founded over 30 years ago and is a leading service provider to the broadcast, television and feature film market, supplying people and equipment to support the non-linear editing and broadcast hire needs of its customers. In 2015, it worked on projects as varied as the Grand National and the French Open Tennis to Springwatch and Fifty Shades of Grey.

About Input Media

Input Media is one of Europe's premier sports production companies, with blue-chip clients around the world. We employ a talented team of producers, directors and editors who are dedicated to producing creative and engaging programming and digital content for a wide variety of clients.

With nearly 30 years of experience working with top federations, broadcasters, marketing companies, football clubs and programme makers, we have built a reputation for delivering high quality productions to the world of broadcast sport. At our cutting-edge facilities in west London we have created a unique single solution environment for live or fast turnaround programme production and event coverage. We have our own HD edit facilities, a multi-camera presentation studio, play-out facilities and extensive connectivity, along with design, branding, promotions and archive services.

As well as the FFT, Our clients include UEFA, The Football Association, FIFA, the International Tennis Federation, the French Tennis Federation, the BBC, ITV Sport, Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, the RFU, Pitch International, Box Nation and the International Paralympic Committee.

About TowerBrook Capital Partners

TowerBrook Capital Partners, L.P. is an investment management

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