By Joe Otterson
Plus IconJoe Otterson
TV Reporter
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Courtesy Images Wheelhouse has acquired Anomaly Entertainment, Variety has learned.
Anomaly was orignally founded in 2017 by former Discovery Channell Commissioners Matthew Kelly and Michael Sorensen. With the acquisition, Kelly and Sorensen will continue creating series and formats across all areas. They will also work with Wheelhouse’s sports and investment divisions.
“Few folks in our world have had the success that Matt and Mike have on both sides of the aisle, buyers and sellers,” said Wheelhouse CEO Brent Montgomery. “We see not just a great cultural fit, especially with their broad work with athletes, entertainers and creators, but also new muscles brought to the Wheelhouse ecosystem.”
Anomaly is best known for producing a consistent slate of “Shark Week” programming for the annual Discovery programming block. They have produced 40 “Shark Week” shows over the past nine years, including “Shaq Does Shark Week,” “Great White Abyss,” “Jackass Shark Week”, “Shark Trip: Eat, Pray, Chum,” and more. The company is also producing the “KPop Shark Heroes” starring Ken Jeong and Rei Ami.
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“Anomaly was looking for a partner that could help us scale and grow strategically for the future, and for us to land at Wheelhouse is a full circle moment,” Kelly and Sorensen said in a joint statement. “We’ve known Brent a long time and, for us, not only did he and Wheelhouse recognize the value of the business we’ve created, but they also saw synergy in our vision, which is to produce content that elevates talent, especially today’s leading creators and sports figures, and tell their stories in exciting, authentic ways. We’re thrilled to be part of the Wheelhouse family and eager to expand Anomaly across new platforms, while offering even greater capabilities to our clients and collaborators.”
Anomaly has been a major supplier to Warner Bros. Discovery channels like Discovery Network, TLC, ID, HGTV, and Food Network, while they have also produced shows for Netflix, HBO Max, ESPN+, and NFL Films. They have teamed with a wide range of celebrities and creators across projects, including Mark Rober, Tiffany Haddish, Snoop Dogg, Ludcaris, and more.
Anomaly is currently in production on series for Discovery, TLC, HGTV and Food Network, and in development on numerous other projects for streamers and networks.
Before launching Anomaly, Kelly and Sorensen both were buyers and producers at Discovery, with each serving as vice president of production and development. Their time their included work on shows like “Gold Rush,” “Amish Mafia,” and “Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda.”
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