American media company
For other uses, see
MRC
.
MRC II Distribution Company, L.P.
|
| MRC
|
---|
Formerly
| Media Rights Capital (2006?2013)
|
---|
Company type
| Private
|
---|
Industry
| Film
Television
|
---|
Founded
| 2006
; 18 years ago
(
2006
)
|
---|
Founders
| Modi Wiczyk
Asif Satchu
|
---|
Headquarters
| 9601
Wilshire Boulevard
,
,
U.S.
|
---|
Area served
| Worldwide
|
---|
Key people
| Modi Wiczyk (
co-CEO
and co-chairman)
Asif Satchu (
co-CEO
and co-chairman)
Scott Tenley (
COO
)
|
---|
Owner
| Eldridge Industries
(minority)
|
---|
Website
| www
.mrcentertainment
.com
|
---|
Footnotes / references
[1]
|
MRC II Distribution Company, L.P.
,
[2]
doing business as
MRC
(formerly
Media Rights Capital
), is an American film and television studio. Founded by Mordecai (Modi) Wiczyk and Asif Satchu, the company funds and produces film and television programming.
The company's divisions include
MRC Film
,
MRC Non-Fiction
, and
MRC Television
. In 2018, the company merged with
Todd Boehly
's media assets under Valence Media, with the company as a whole taking on the MRC name in 2020; this included
Dick Clark Productions
(briefly known as MRC Live & Alternative), audience data firm
Luminate
(the former Nielsen SoundScan), and the entertainment industry publications
Billboard
and
The Hollywood Reporter
. Boehly (through Eldridge Industries) re-acquired most of these assets in August 2022.
Productions by the company have included the
Netflix
series
House of Cards
and
Ozark
,
and the films
Baby Driver
,
Knives Out
, and
Ted
.
History
[
edit
]
Early history
[
edit
]
MRC was founded by Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu in 2006.
[3]
Its early investors included
Guggenheim Partners
,
AT&T
,
WPP Group
,
Goldman Sachs
and ABRY Partners.
[4]
[5]
In 2007, it funded filmmakers such as
Robert Rodriguez
,
Ricky Gervais
,
Walter Salles
,
Ryan Murphy
,
Richard Kelly
,
Bennett Miller
and
Todd Field
.
[6]
The same year, it entered into an agreement with
Warner Bros. Pictures
to allow Warner to distribute three of the eight pictures over a $250 million feature production funding.
[7]
MRC launched a television division of the studio in early 2008.
[8]
In 2008,
The CW
leased its Sunday-night schedule to MRC beginning in the 2008-09 television season. MRC scheduled the reality show
In Harm's Way
and the dramas
Valentine
and
Easy Money
.
[9]
In November 2008, after all four shows drew poor viewership, The CW announced that it would withdraw from the agreement.
[10]
The network returned the Sunday timeslots to its affiliates in the 2009?10 season.
[11]
In 2010, MRC made a bid to buy
Focus Features
from
NBCUniversal
but was unable to close the deal. That same year, MRC struck a 5-year, 20-picture distribution deal with
Universal Pictures
.
[12]
After acquiring rights to produce a
U.S. remake
of the BBC miniseries
House of Cards
, MRC would sell the series to the streaming service
Netflix
in 2011.
[13]
[14]
[15]
On February 1, 2018,
Eldridge Industries
, a holding company owned by former Guggenheim Partners president
Todd Boehly
, announced that it would contribute its media assets ? including
The Hollywood Reporter
,
Dick Clark Productions
, and
Billboard
,
and merge them with MRC into a new company known as
Valence Media
.
[16]
In October 2018, MRC formed a joint venture with
United Talent Agency
known as Civic Center Media, which seeks to back projects involving its members via MRC.
[17]
[18]
2019?2022: Valence Media and PMRC
[
edit
]
In December 2019, Valence Media acquired
Nielsen Holdings
'
music data business
, with the division being rebranded as MRC Data.
[19]
In 2020, Valence Media rebranded as MRC.
[20]
On September 23, 2020, it was announced that
Penske Media Corporation
, owner of
The Hollywood Reporter
's main competitor
Variety
, would assume operations of the MRC Media & Info publications under a joint venture with MRC known as PMRC. In turn, MRC will form a second joint venture that will develop content tied to PMRC publications.
[21]
In September 2021, former
E!
president Adam Stotsky became the new president of MRC Live & Alternative, replacing the outgoing Amy Thurlow. At this time, Dick Clark Productions was folded into MRC Live & Alternative and discontinued as a brand.
[22]
2022?present: Unwinding of the Valence merger
[
edit
]
In August 2022, Eldridge agreed with Wiczyk and Satchu to divide MRC's assets, effectively undoing the 2018 Valence Media merger. Eldridge re-acquired the company's live and alternative division (which resumed business as Dick Clark Productions), as well as MRC's share of the PMRC joint venture,
Luminate
(the former MRC Data), and investments in studios including
A24
and
Fulwell 73
. The remaining MRC entity, in which Eldridge will retain a minority stake, will retain its scripted film and TV production entity as well as investments in Civic Center Media and
T-Street Productions
.
[23]
Wiczyk and Satchu became chairmen of the company in 2023.
[24]
SpinMedia
[
edit
]
SpinMedia (formerly Buzz Media) was an American digital publisher that owned a number of
pop culture
websites, including
Spin
,
Stereogum
,
Vibe
, and
The Frisky
.
[25]
It was founded in 1999 by Anthony Batt , Marc Brown, Kevin Woolery, and Steve Haldane under the name Buzznet,
[26]
and by 2006, Buzznet had a total of nine employees in the
Los Angeles
,
California
, area.
[26]
The Buzz Media name was created as the company started to acquire more pop-culture and music blogs.
The company acquired Spin Media, publisher of
Spin
magazine, in July 2012.
[27]
After shutting down the print version of the magazine, reducing its staff to about 200, and focusing on advertising, it rebranded itself as SpinMedia in March 2013.
[28]
At that time, Steve Hansen became its chief executive.
[28]
In April 2013, it acquired
Vibe
magazine.
[29]
[30]
In 2014,
M/C Partners
became the primary owner of SpinMedia after an
assignment for benefit of creditors
.
[31]
That year, Buzz Media had also acquired music sites Property of Zack,
AbsolutePunk.net
, Under The Gun Review, and Punknews.org.
[32]
In September 2016, SpinMedia sold
Buzznet
, Idolator, and
PureVolume
to startup corporation Hive Media.
[33]
In December of that year,
Eldridge Industries
acquired
Spin
,
Vibe
,
Stereogum
, and
Death and Taxes
via the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group for an undisclosed amount, making Billboard the world's largest music brand in terms of digital traffic and audience share.
[34]
[35]
Celebuzz
,
The Frisky
, and
The Superficial
were sold to
CPX Interactive
.
[36]
[
better source needed
]
In January 2020,
Spin
and
Stereogum
were sold to Next Management Partners and the site's management, respectively, as part of a larger focus on
Vibe
and a music data business.
[37]
Filmography
[
edit
]
Films produced or co-financed by MRC have included:
Television projects
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"About MRC"
. Media Rights Capital
. Retrieved
June 30,
2012
.
- ^
"MRC II DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, L.P."
OpenCorporates
. November 30, 2006
. Retrieved
April 19,
2024
.
- ^
"Media Rights Capital Duo to Lead Revamped Hollywood Reporter Parent Company"
. The Hollywood Reporter. February 1, 2018
. Retrieved
December 17,
2023
.
- ^
Bond, Paul (February 13, 2013).
"Media Rights Capital Raises $175 Million to Co-Finance Movies"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
March 9,
2016
.
- ^
Shaw, Lucas (May 6, 2014).
"Guggenheim Invests $240 Million in 'House of Cards' Producer Media Rights Capital"
.
The Wrap
. Retrieved
March 9,
2016
.
- ^
Fleming, Michael (September 5, 2007).
"Media Rights to fund top directors"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
December 21,
2021
.
- ^
Thielman, Sam; Garrett, Diane (December 5, 2007).
"Media Rights Capital, WB pact"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
December 21,
2021
.
- ^
Fleming, Michael (May 6, 2008).
"Metzger moves to Media Rights"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
December 21,
2021
.
- ^
"MRC Unveils Four Shows for CW Sunday"
.
zap2it.com
. Archived from
the original
on May 29, 2008
. Retrieved
August 29,
2008
.
- ^
Carter, Bill (November 20, 2008).
"CW Says It Is Retaking Control of Its Sunday TV Lineup"
.
The New York Times
.
- ^
de Morales, Lisa (May 21, 2009).
"For Fall, CW Brings On the Suds -- and Vampires"
.
The Washington Post
.
- ^
Waxman, Sharon (May 27, 2010).
"Universal Strikes 5-Year Deal to Distribute MRC Films"
.
The Wrap
. Retrieved
March 5,
2024
.
- ^
Andreeva, Nellie (March 15, 2011).
"Netflix To Enter Original Programming With Mega Deal For David Fincher-Kevin Spacey Series 'House of Cards'
"
.
Deadline Hollywood
.
Archived
from the original on March 16, 2011
. Retrieved
March 15,
2011
.
- ^
Stelter, Brian (January 18, 2013).
"A Drama's Streaming Premiere"
.
The New York Times
.
Archived
from the original on January 24, 2013
. Retrieved
January 25,
2013
.
- ^
Patten, Dominic (October 30, 2017).
"Netflix Cancels 'House Of Cards', Says It's 'Deeply Troubled' Over Kevin Spacey Claims"
.
Deadline Hollywood
.
Archived
from the original on October 30, 2017
. Retrieved
October 31,
2017
.
- ^
Andrew Wallenstein (February 1, 2018).
"Media Rights Capital, Dick Clark Prods., THR-Billboard Combine Company"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
April 17,
2018
.
- ^
Hipes, Patrick (October 10, 2018).
"UTA Teams With MRC On TV Studio Joint Venture Dubbed Civic Center Media"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 22,
2020
.
- ^
Ng, David (October 10, 2018).
"United Talent Agency jumps into TV production in deal with studio behind 'House of Cards'
"
.
Los Angeles Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2019
.
- ^
Steele, Anne (December 18, 2019).
"Billboard Parent Buys Nielsen Music"
.
Wall Street Journal
.
ISSN
0099-9660
. Retrieved
July 22,
2020
.
- ^
Goldsmith, Jill (July 22, 2020).
"THR Parent Valence Media Rebrands As MRC"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 22,
2020
.
- ^
Ellefson, Lindsey (September 23, 2020).
"Variety Parent Penske Media to Take Over Hollywood Reporter, Billboard in Joint Venture With MRC"
.
TheWrap
. Retrieved
September 23,
2020
.
- ^
Andreeva, Nellie (September 12, 2021).
"Adam Stotsky Named President Of MRC Live & Alternative As Dick Clark Prods. Name Is Phased Out"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
October 23,
2021
.
- ^
Earl, William (August 5, 2022).
"MRC Chiefs Modi Wiczyk and Asif Satchu Part Ways With Eldridge, PMRC Joint Venture"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
August 5,
2022
.
- ^
"MRC Names Jenna Santoianni Head of TV as Elise Henderson Exits"
. March 7, 2023.
- ^
"BUZZMEDIA Acquires Top Women's Entertainment & Lifestyle Website The Frisky from Turner Broadcasting"
. Reuters. February 11, 2011. Archived from
the original
on September 24, 2015
. Retrieved
September 4,
2015
.
- ^
a
b
Ben Kuo (May 10, 2006).
"Interview with Anthony Batt, Co-Founder, Buzznet"
.
SoCal Tech" High Tech News and Information for Southern California
. Retrieved
October 23,
2013
.
- ^
"BUZZMEDIA Buys Spin"
.
SoCal Tech" High Tech News and Information for Southern California
. July 10, 2012
. Retrieved
October 23,
2013
.
- ^
a
b
"Buzzmedia Rebrands Itself SpinMedia"
.
Billboard
. March 25, 2013
. Retrieved
October 23,
2013
.
- ^
"Vibe Magazine Purchased by SpinMedia, Will Probably Go Online-Only"
.
Billboard
. April 25, 2013
. Retrieved
October 23,
2013
.
- ^
Sisario, Ben
(April 25, 2013).
"Vibe Magazine Is Sold and Likely to Become Online Only"
.
The New York Times
. Retrieved
October 23,
2013
.
- ^
"SpinMedia LLC Acquired By New Investors as SpinMedia Group Receives $10M"
(Text)
.
Billboard
. February 3, 2014
. Retrieved
January 2,
2017
.
- ^
Bruce Houghton (August 27, 2012).
"Fresh Off Spin Magazine Purchase, BUZZMEDIA Buys 4 Top Punk Rock Sites"
. Retrieved
August 27,
2012
.
- ^
Rys, Dan (September 21, 2016).
"SpinMedia Sells Idolator, Buzznet & PureVolume to Hive Media"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved
September 22,
2016
.
- ^
"The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group Acquires SpinMedia's Music Brands, Including SPIN, VIBE, and Stereogum"
.
Spin
. December 22, 2016
. Retrieved
December 10,
2020
.
- ^
"Billboard Buys Spin and Vibe in a Quest to 'Own the Topic of Music Online'
"
.
Adweek
. December 22, 2016
. Retrieved
March 10,
2017
.
- ^
"More SpinMedia sites sold (RIP SpinMedia)"
.
BrooklynVegan
. Retrieved
January 2,
2017
.
- ^
"Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Media Group Sells Spin, Agreement in Place for Sale of Stereogum"
.
Billboard
. January 16, 2020
. Retrieved
July 22,
2020
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
McClintock, Pamela (September 20, 2011).
"Media Rights Capital Closes Five-Year $350 Million Credit Facility"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
July 10,
2019
.
- ^
"22 Jump Street"
.
mrcstudios.com
. Retrieved
March 9,
2016
.
- ^
a
b
Goldsmith, Jill (July 22, 2020).
"THR Parent Valence Media Rebrands As MRC"
.
Deadline
. Retrieved
July 26,
2020
.
- ^
Debruge, Peter (December 15, 2020).
"Sundance Film Festival Lineup Features 38 First-Time Directors, Including Rebecca Hall and Robin Wright"
.
Variety
. Retrieved
December 15,
2020
.
- ^
D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 20, 2021).
"Dakota Johnson Set To Star In Netflix & MRC Film's Jane Austen Update 'Persuasion'
"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. Retrieved
April 20,
2021
.
- ^
"JK Simmons To Star In Starz Drama Series From 'The Imitation Game' Director"
.
Deadline Hollywood
. April 22, 2015
. Retrieved
April 22,
2015
.
External links
[
edit
]
|
---|
- MRC Media & Info
- MRC Live & Alternative
- MRC Data
- MRC Film
- MRC Television
|
|
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Majors
|
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Mini-majors
|
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Horizontal
production/
distribution
companies
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Slate
partners
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Production/
distribution
companies
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Defunct/former
| Disney
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Lionsgate
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MGM
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Universal
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Paramount
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Sony
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Warner Bros.
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Others
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