MGM buys 55% stake in production firms of Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Beverly Hills-based film and television studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has acquired a 55% interest in the two production companies of actress Roma Downey and “Survivor” producer Mark Burnett.

The husband-and-wife team’s One Three Media and LightWorkers Media production entities are co-owned by Hearst Entertainment Inc., which invested in Burnett’s production business in 2011.

As part of the deal, MGM is acquiring all of Downey, Burnett and Hearst’s interests in television shows “Survivor,” “The Voice” and “The Bible,” among others, MGM said Monday.

Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed.

MGM is reviving the vaunted United Artists label for a new media venture that will consolidate the various elements included in the deal. Burnett, who along with his wife scored a faith-based film hit with this year’s “Son of God,” will serve as chief executive of United Artists Media Group.

“Mark and Roma are without a doubt the most successful and dominant players in unscripted television and faith-based content and we are excited to be distributing UAMG content worldwide,” Gary Barber, chief executive of MGM, said in a statement.

United Artists was founded by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith in 1919. It became part of MGM in 1981.

MGM and Tom Cruise restarted United Artists in the mid-2000s, but the venture foundered, releasing just two pictures, “Lions for Lambs” and “Valkyrie.”

Under Burnett, who also is known for TV shows “The Apprentice” and “Shark Tank,” United Artists will focus on development, production and financing television programs, films and digital content. Downey, best known for starring on the TV program “Touched by an Angel,” will serve as president of Lightworkers, now the faith and family unit of United Artists.

“I am honored to become the CEO of United Artists Media Group,” Burnett said in a statement. “Together we look forward to growing our television, film and digital business while also creating a whole new platform of entertainment.”

United Artists also is launching a faith-based over-the-top channel that will air original content, film and television catalog titles and Christian music videos, among other offerings. OTTs are digital video channels that let people watch content online.

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