Mediawan took a key step in its international expansion with the acquisition of The North Road Company, the independent U.S. studio founded by Peter Chernin. The deal, confirmed in January 2026, brings together two of the market’s leading independent players and significantly expands Mediawan’s presence in the United States.
North Road will serve as Mediawan’s hub for North America, retaining its teams, labels, and creative partnerships. Peter Chernin has joined Mediawan’s board and will remain associated with the company as non-executive chairman of North Road, while Scott Manson has taken over as CEO.
The transaction brings assets such as Chernin Entertainment, Kinetic Content, Words + Pictures, 44 Blue Productions, and North Road International into the French group. It also adds the operations of Karga Seven Pictures in Turkey and Perro Azul in Mexico, expanding Mediawan’s reach into strategic markets.
With this transaction, Mediawan further strengthens its ability to develop and scale IP, drive international adaptations, and generate new co-production opportunities in a market marked by the consolidation of major independent studios.
