MGM has acquired a 55% share of Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Hearst Entertainment’s One Three Media and LightWorkers Media to form United Artists Media Group.

Burnett will serve as the CEO of UAMG, while Downey will serve as president of Lightworkers Media, the couple’s faith and family company that now becomes a division of the new venture.

UAMG will focus chiefly on developing, producing and financing content across all platforms such as scripted and non-scripted television, features and digital content.

The partners will also launch an OTT channel for faith content, including new content, film and television catalogue titles, curated Christian music videos, regional and national congregation portals, sermons from worldwide religious leaders and user-created short-form faith-based videos.

The deal covers the hit shows Survivor, The Voice, Shark Tank, The Bible and The Apprentice. The parties did not reveal financial terms.

MGM chairman and CEO Gary Barber made the announcement on Monday (September 22) with Burnett, Downey and Hearst Corporation president and CEO Steven Swartz.

Barber called Burnett and Downey “without a doubt the most successful and dominant players in unscripted television and faith-based content.”

“Together we look forward to growing our television, film and digital business while also creating a whole new platform of entertainment,” said Burnett.

“Steve has been a wonderful partner and we are excited to now be working alongside Gary,” added Downey. “When Mark and I created LightWorkers Media, our mission was to bring faith and family entertainment to a large audience and now this new endeavor will allow us even greater growth and success as the faith/family division of UA Media Group.”

Chris Brearton led the legal team at O’Melveny & Myers that negotiated the deal on behalf of MGM.

The law firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan advised Burnett and Downey, led by Matthew Thompson. Allen & Company advised Downey, Burnett and Hearst.

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