EXCLUSIVE: Canada’s Blink49 Studios and L.A.’s Piller/Segan, the companies behind Wild Cards, have inked a joint venture development and production pact.
The partnership will see both sides contributing financially and creatively to develop premium scripted and unscripted productions.
Blink49 CEO John Morayniss and Piller/Segan partners Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan have a long-standing creative relationship, having made Canadian procedural Private Eyes and Haven together when Morayniss ran TV for eOne. They’re currently on Season 3 of CBC and The CW drama series Wild Cards, with a fourth set to come.
They’re pitching their new JV as a “hub for bold new projects,” and will take an “an open-door approach to building long-term IP and franchises across genres, encouraging crossover opportunities for concepts that can thrive in multiple formats.”
Piller/Segan will build out its creative team with the hire of an additional exec, who will come on board with experience in sourcing and shepherding projects that will sit within the venture.
“This joint venture is a natural evolution of the trust and creative synergy we’ve built over many years,” said Morayniss. “With our combined financial commitment and infrastructure, Blink49 Studios and Piller/Segan are well-positioned to deliver globally resonant storytelling and provide creators with the resources they need to succeed.”
“We’re thrilled to formalize this next chapter with John and the incredible team at Blink49 Studios,” added Segan. “This venture gives us the reach and flexibility to champion a wide range of projects — from supporting established voices to cultivating fresh talent. Together, we’re building a dynamic environment where creators can take risks and bring ambitious ideas to life.”
Piller/Segan is currently in the process of bringing back Private Eyes, co-producing a spinoff series set in Victoria, B.C with Lionsgate Canada. eOne’s library and IP now sits within Lionsgate following the 2023 acquisition.
As for Blink49, this latest deal comes months after it promoted Toby Dormer to lead its unscripted business. The Fifth Season- and Bell Media-backed company, headquartered in Toronto, as offices in Los Angeles, Vancouver and New York. It has stakes in the likes of Front Street Pictures and digital comedy studio Stapleview, and owns Pier21 Films.
The company makes the likes of The Trades and Late Bloomer for Crave, Queen of the Castle for CTV Life, Beast Games and Romcon: Who The F**k is Jason Porter? for Prime Video, and The Braxtons and Toya & Reginae for We TV). Newer series include Crave’s Yaga and Blue Colla, and Rogers’ local version of Come Dine with Me/
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