Entertainment One acquires Oz distributor

Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired Australian film and TV distributor Hopscotch.

The international producer and distributor has paid A$20 million (US$21 million) for the company, which was founded in 2002.

The move comes weeks after eOne raised £16 million from a share placement in the UK and CEO Darren Throop said that the cash will allow it to grow through, among other things, acquisitions.

Hopscotch distributes a number of film titles including The Wrestler and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Source Code and also controls the exclusive DVD distribution rights for TV series including The Inbetweeners and Secret Diary of a Call Girl. The company has a library of more than 300 hours of feature film and television titles.

The current management team of Troy Lum, Frank Cox and Sandie Don will remain in place following completion of the deal.

eOne built its TV division with the acquisitions of brands including Blueprint Entertainment, Barna-Alper and distributor Oasis International and has said it is reviewing acquisition opportunities.