Jeff Zucker’s RedBird IMI takes stake in ‘The Morning Show’ firm Media Res

The Morning Show

RedBird IMI, the US investment firm set up by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, has taken a stake in Media Res, the production company behind Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show.

The company, which was formed in 2017 and is led by former HBO drama chief Michael Ellenberg, is also behind Pachinko and Extrapolations for Apple TV+, I’m A Virgo for Prime Video and Scenes From A Marriage for HBO.

Jeff Zucker

Media Res said the investment will allow it to “strike new strategic partnerships”, to champion original ideas and source projects from “exceptional IP.”

Founder and CEO Ellenberg will retain majority ownership of Media Res and continue to run day-to-day operations, while Zucker will join the board. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled and honored to be partnering with RedBird IMI and the incredible Jeff Zucker, who shares in our passion and vision,” said Ellenberg.

“Media Res was a natural partnership for us as we continue to expand our presence across all forms of scripted, unscripted and children’s entertainment as well as news and information,” added Zucker.

During his tenure at HBO, Ellenberg worked on drama titles including True Detective, Big Little Lies and Westworld.

Meanwhile, last month, RedBird IMI was reported to be leading the race to acquire Call The Midwife and Squid Game: The Challenge producer All3Media in a deal valued at around £1bn ($1.26bn).

RedBird IMI is 75% backed by Abu Dhabi’s IMI, which is controlled by Manchester City Football Club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

The investment firm is currently looking to buy fellow UK-based media assets The Telegraph and Spectator magazine, although both of those deals are being held up by regulatory hurdles.