(Vancouver, British Columbia) Calgary headquartered Meridian Merchant Capital Canada Ltd. today announced that it has been engaged to assist one of Canada’s premier sports and entertainment television companies Network Entertainment Inc. as it enters the US market with two high profile projects
“It’s no accident that our first major deal in Vancouver in 2007 comes from a business sector that British Columbia has become increasingly known for world wide, the film and television industry,” commented Meridian President and CEO Keith Turner , a Vancouver resident. “Network Entertainment is a homegrown film and television company with an impeccable reputation with major Canadian broadcasters based on its successful development and execution of such high profile projects such as “ Making the Cut”, (currently airing Saturday nights at 10pm on Global) “Legends of Hockey” “The Life and Times of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Ron Lancaster, Gordie Howe”, “CFL Traditions”, and “The Stanley Cup Odyssey ” . We are delighted to have the opportunity to assist the company in raising capital to take their significant creative talent and expertise to the US market through major distribution channels including network television.”
Network prides itself on producing high quality original programming and brings an impressive track record of creating brand name properties for television, publishing, radio, and on-line distribution. Network has created a continuum of high profile sports centric productions in the documentary, reality and film genres, resulting in over 75 hours of programming produced since 2001. Capitalizing on the market’s desire for high profile properties ideally suited for integrated sponsorship opportunities, Network continues to present an ongoing slate of landmark productions.
Network’s programming has been showcased by broadcasters throughout North America including ABC, ESPN, ESPN Classic, CBC, Global Television, Headline Sports, Historia, The History Channel, RDS and TSN .
Network President John Hamilton is pleased to find a financial partner that understands the sports and entertainment space. “Meridian’s management team came to our situation with specific experience related to our company. That has helped them analyze from a financial standpoint, the specific contracts and other opportunities in the US and Canada that we currently have in play,” explained Hamilton. “We’re taking a major next step in our development as a company, and we needed sophisticated financial advisory services and access to capital. Simply put, Meridian ‘made the cut’ for us.”