Gorfolova joins Sonar after Tricon deal

Andrea Gorfolova is joining LA’s Sonar Entertainment after the prodco completed its acquisition of Tricon Films & Television’s programming library.

Tricon founder Gorfolova has been finding a home for the programming library after the LA- and Toronto-based firm she founded went into administration in December 2016. Sonar has bought about 1,500 hours.

She and other senior Tricon execs are also joining Sonar, which is best known for dramas such as MTV drama The Shannara Chronicles and Tom Hardy’s BBC One series Taboo.

“This is a unique opportunity for Sonar to significantly broaden our programming mix and we are excited about the assets that we are bringing to the company,” said Sonar CEO Thomas Lesinski.

“The infusion of experience and skill that Andrea and her team bring to Sonar makes the overall opportunity even more far reaching and impactful for our business.”

Terms of the deal emerged last month, with Sonar establishing a Canadian company, Sonar Canada, at the same time.

The agreement will see Sonar expanding into kids and family entertainment, taking rights to shows such as series Counterfeit Cat, which broadcasts in more than 200 territories worldwide.

Disney and Corus toon Go Away Unicorn, Discovery Channel unscripted series Texas Metal and Scripps’ Food’s Greatest Hits are also included.

Filings show around 25 companies were interested in the catalogue.

“This represents another critically important milestone in our broad-based growth strategy for Sonar,” said Gabriel de Alba, Sonar chairman and managing director and partner of its parent, Catalyst Capital Group.

“Our exceptional creative team is primed to aggressively build out our content in these new categories. At the same time, the success of our high end-premium scripted dramas has earned Sonar tremendous momentum. We are well positioned to leverage our strong relationships in the global marketplace through our distribution team to ensure that Sonar’s programming across all genres achieves maximum impact.”