The Weinstein Company, American Media, Inc. & Jupiter Entertainment Launch New Production Unit

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weinstein Company (TWC), American Media, Inc. (AMI) and Jupiter Entertainment announced today that they are joining forces for the development, creation, production and distribution of original television, film and digital initiatives based on AMI's diverse and renowned portfolio of brands.

"There is an enormous, untapped opportunity at AMI to develop unique and engaging programming," said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein.

"This is an exciting step in the continued evolution of American Media, Inc. as we further establish ourselves as a next generation multi-media company," added AMI Chairman, President and CEO David J. Pecker.

"Partnering with the incredible teams at The Weinstein Company and Jupiter Entertainment underscores the trust and influence of our investigative reporting on Hollywood, celebrity, true crime and America's unsolved mysteries. We are delighted to bring decades of AMI storytelling to life with innovative, fresh new programming."

The joint venture was hatched by Patrick Reardon, Executive Vice President of TWC's television department, Dylan Howard, AMI's Vice President and Chief Content Officer, and Stephen Land, Chief Executive of Jupiter Entertainment. The trio will head the venture, with Land –– one of America's most prolific television executives –– and Howard steering development and production, and Reardon overseeing global distribution. AMI will also utilize its vast network of print and digital readers to reach as wide an audience as possible.

The group aims to focus initially on unscripted programming, with a forthcoming reality project set to be announced soon.

"Producers have long relied on the investigative reporting from our magazines as source material to create non-fiction television," said Howard. "This innovative partnership will directly leverage the world-class reporting of our titles, editors and journalists to create the most authoritative programming in the category."

Jupiter, founded in 1996 by Land and part-owned by European pay television operator Sky, produces non-scripted shows including Animal Planet's "Wild West Alaska," Oxygen's "Snapped" and Investigation Discovery's "Homicide Hunter." Jupiter's content has also appeared on A&E, Discovery, History, HGTV, Nickelodeon, Disney, as well as a host of other major networks

"We are very excited to have the chance to build this business with TWC and AMI, a company that already has a long history of engaging audiences across print and digital platforms," said Land.

"The chance to create new consumer experiences together with some of the world's most admired brands is a tremendous opportunity. We're very proud to embark on this exciting venture with our new partners."

ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979.  TWC boasts an active unscripted television production division which garnered nine Emmy nominations in 2013 and five in 2014. TWC Television produces the reality powerhouse Project Runway, which is currently in its 14th season on Lifetime; with its spin-off series and critically-acclaimed Project Runway All Stars, hosted by Alyssa Milano and Project Runway Jr, featuring supermodel Hannah Davis, and fashion critic Kelley Osbourne. TWC will also launch several new projects in 2015 across several networks, including MTV, Lifetime, and AMC. 

ABOUT AMERICAN MEDIA, INC.
American Media, Inc. (AMI) owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and active lifestyle media brands in the United States. AMI's titles include National Enquirer, Star, OK!, Globe, National Examiner, Soap Opera Digest, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers. AMI also manages 9 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, MensFitness.com and MuscleandFitness.com. AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of 2.1+ million and reach more than 35 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach 50 million unique visitors and 400 million page views monthly.

SOURCE American Media, Inc.