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Pantheon Media Group

Pantheon Media Group LLC is an American specializing in and scripted television content across various genres, operating multiple labels worldwide and known for award-winning series and specials produced for major networks and streamers. Founded in 2003 by Steve Michaels as Asylum Entertainment, the company initially focused on programming and expanded through acquisitions and partnerships, including a sale to in 2013 and a buyback by Michaels in 2018. In March 2023, Endeavor made a strategic investment in the company, supporting its growth in nonscripted content production; Endeavor was subsequently acquired by Silver Lake in March 2025 and rebranded as WME Group. The rebranding to Pantheon Media Group occurred in December 2024, coinciding with a leadership transition where founder Steve Michaels became chairman and Jennifer O’Connell, formerly head of at Max, was appointed CEO. Headquartered in with additional offices in , , Austin, , , and , Pantheon partners with broadcasters such as , , A&E, , and to deliver content in formats including series, documentaries, and specials. The company has produced over 1,000 hours of programming, including notable projects such as ESPN's 30 for 30 documentaries (e.g., "Silly Little Game") and the scripted The Kennedys for .) Pantheon operates several specialized labels, including The Content Group, Texas Crew Productions, Big City TV, Breaklight Pictures, and Audity (focused on audio ), enabling diverse capabilities from specials to podcasts. Its portfolio has earned prestigious accolades, including multiple for ESPN's documentary series, for various unscripted programs, and for inclusive . Under WME Group, Pantheon continues to expand, with recent leadership additions including Kelly Mullen as Head of Brands (January 2025) and Simon Thomas as Head of Creative (April 2025), alongside deals such as a with for unscripted development announced in March 2025 and Done+Dusted producing a Nikki Glaser comedy special for (September 2025).

History

Founding and early years

Pantheon Media Group, originally founded as Asylum Entertainment in 2003 by Steve Michaels and Jonathan Koch in , , specialized in television production and documentary filmmaking from its inception. Michaels, drawing from his background in sports programming, and Koch, a key creative partner, established the company to produce premium content for and broadcast networks, emphasizing formats and sports documentaries. The duo's early vision positioned Asylum as a boutique operation focused on high-quality, narrative-driven series rather than high-volume output. In its initial years, Asylum quickly gained traction through flagship unscripted projects that showcased innovative sports storytelling. One of the company's earliest milestones was its involvement in Beyond the Glory, a documentary series for Net that profiled the personal lives of athletes and earned 10 Sports Emmy nominations between 2003 and 2007, solidifying Asylum's reputation in reality TV and sports programming. This series, which aired its fifth season in 2005, exemplified Asylum's approach to blending with compelling human interest narratives. By the mid-2000s, Asylum secured its first major network deals with cable outlets like , enabling the production of multiple seasons and establishing steady partnerships that fueled early revenue streams. Asylum's growth accelerated from 2005 to 2010 through expanded unscripted formats and strategic hires that bolstered its creative and operational capabilities. Co-founder Jonathan Koch served as president and , overseeing development and contributing to the company's pivot toward broader reality genres. The company launched additional formats, including early contributions to ESPN's anthology series starting in 2009, which featured Asylum-produced episodes on iconic sports moments and further enhanced its Emmy-nominated portfolio. These deals with major networks like marked Asylum's transition from a small production house to a mid-sized entity, with output diversifying into lifestyle and investigative reality shows such as The Locator and . By 2013, had evolved into a robust , projecting annual revenues of $12–13 million—roughly three times the prior year's profits—driven by a slate of over a dozen active projects across networks. This trajectory reflected consistent office growth in and a reputation for Emmy-caliber content that attracted ongoing collaborations with premium providers.

Acquisitions, rebrandings, and expansions

In 2013, acquired Asylum Entertainment, integrating it into its portfolio to expand its unscripted and documentary production capabilities. The company operated under Legendary's ownership until 2018, during which it continued producing notable television content. In 2018, founder Steve Michaels repurchased Asylum Entertainment from Legendary, becoming its sole owner and launching a temporary rebranding to The Content Group to encompass a broader creative umbrella. This structure facilitated the management of multiple production banners, including Texas Crew Productions and Big City TV. By 2019, the company restored its original name, Asylum Entertainment Group, to refocus on its core unscripted identity. In , Endeavor Group Holdings acquired a majority stake in Asylum Entertainment Group, positioning it within Endeavor's non-scripted content division and enabling enhanced global distribution and production scaling. This investment supported strategic growth, including acquisitions like Texas Crew Productions in 2022, which bolstered capabilities in and sports programming. Amid leadership transitions in December 2024, Asylum Entertainment Group rebranded to Pantheon Media Group, with Steve Michaels transitioning to chairman and appointed as CEO to drive unscripted innovation. The rebranding unified approximately 20 labels under a single banner, emphasizing expansive unscripted and live content production. Pantheon Media Group's expansions accelerated in 2024 and 2025, including a July 2024 acquisition of a significant stake in -based live media producer Done+Dusted, enhancing live event and special production expertise. Additional investments targeted producers to broaden international reach. In 2024, Pantheon formed a with focused on developing content across genres. This partnership culminated in a March 2025 multi-series development deal with A+E Global Media, committing to new projects for networks like Lifetime and A&E. These initiatives underscored 's evolution into a powerhouse. In March 2025, Silver Lake completed its acquisition of Endeavor Group Holdings, 's parent company, taking it private and rebranding it as WME Group.

Corporate structure

Leadership and key executives

Steve Michaels founded Asylum Entertainment (now Pantheon Media Group) in 2003 and has served as its Chairman since the December 2024 rebranding, guiding the company's strategic vision through key buybacks and expansions. Michaels previously led the 2018 buyback of the company from Legendary Entertainment, reasserting independent control, and has historically driven acquisitions that shaped its portfolio of unscripted and scripted content. Post-rebranding, his oversight has emphasized global content resonance and operational restructuring to support growth in unscripted programming. Jennifer O’Connell was appointed CEO of Media Group in December 2024, bringing expertise from her prior role as head of originals at HBO Max. Under her leadership, the company has focused on expanding content, including a March 2025 multi-series development partnership with and for lifestyle and formats. O’Connell, who co-founded Velvet Hammer Media, continues to oversee her production banner alongside her role at to drive innovative slate development. In January 2025, Pantheon hired Kelly Mullen as Head of Brands, leveraging her background in from roles at Endeavor Content and , to enhance brand strategy across the company's 20+ labels. Mullen's appointment supports Pantheon's post-rebrand push for cohesive of unscripted and live-event content. Simon Thomas joined as Head of Creative in April 2025, coming from America where he served as president of ITV Entertainment and on Love Island USA. Reporting to O’Connell, Thomas has influenced the development of new formats, including series like Unknown Serial Killers of America, aligning with Pantheon's emphasis on high-impact unscripted narratives.

Subsidiaries and partnerships

Pantheon Media Group's core subsidiaries include Asylum Entertainment, its flagship unscripted television division specializing in formats and series. Breaklight Pictures functions as the scripted and film arm, producing premium, filmmaker-driven documentaries and that emphasize emotional engagement and narrative depth. 45Live focuses on live events production, particularly high-profile sports and entertainment specials, while the 2024 with targets diverse unscripted content creation to expand representation in television programming. In 2024 and 2025, the company pursued strategic acquisitions to bolster its production pipeline. It acquired a significant stake in Done+Dusted, a London-based live media production firm renowned for Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, to strengthen capabilities in global event staging. For international expansion, Pantheon invested in UK-based producers, including a strategic stake in DARE Pictures in April 2024 to enhance factual content, and an earlier minority investment in Moon&Back Media to support format development and co-productions across . Key partnerships have further diversified Pantheon's output. In March 2025, Pantheon and Tyler Perry Studios entered a multi-series unscripted development deal with A+E Global Media, yielding projects across genres for networks like A&E and Lifetime. The ongoing collaboration with Tyler Perry Studios continues to prioritize inclusive content slates, building on their joint venture to produce culturally resonant unscripted series. Operationally, these subsidiaries delineate genre-specific expertise: Asylum Entertainment leads in competitive reality and lifestyle programming, Breaklight Pictures drives cinematic storytelling in docs and scripts, 45Live handles live sports and events such as award shows, and Texas Crew Productions—another key label—focuses on true crime and sports documentaries, exemplified by its September 2025 ESPN project on the SMU Mustangs' resurgence in collaboration with Omaha Productions.

Productions

Television series

Pantheon Media Group, formerly known as Asylum Entertainment Group, has established itself as a leading producer of television content since its founding in 2003, focusing on reality formats, documentary-style series, and docuseries distributed across major networks and streaming platforms. The company's portfolio emphasizes compelling narratives in genres such as , historical biographies, and explorations, often blending with value. One of its early landmark productions is the 2011 miniseries The Kennedys, an eight-episode scripted drama chronicling the Kennedy family's political and personal saga, which premiered on ReelzChannel. Produced under the Asylum Entertainment banner, the series featured as and as Jacqueline Kennedy, drawing widespread attention for its portrayal of historical events and family dynamics. It garnered 10 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including for Outstanding or Movie and Outstanding Lead Actor in a or Movie for Kinnear, highlighting its production quality despite initial controversy over historical accuracy. In the unscripted realm, Pantheon has delivered acclaimed docuseries like Eli Roth's History of Horror (2018–2021), a three-season AMC anthology hosted by filmmaker Eli Roth that dissects the evolution of horror cinema through interviews with genre icons. Spanning 18 episodes, the series explored sub-themes such as body horror and slashers, earning praise for its insightful commentary and contributing to the company's reputation for Peabody and Emmy-recognized work. Recent hits include Zillow Gone Wild (2024–present), a reality series on HGTV that premiered on May 3, 2024, simultaneously on Max, showcasing eccentric and over-the-top listings from . The show, produced by Asylum Entertainment, features nine episodes in its first season, hosted by comedian , and has resonated with audiences for its humorous take on bizarre home designs and market quirks. Season 2 premiered in July 2025. In April 2025, Pantheon announced Unknown Serial Killers of America, a true crime docuseries that premiered on Oxygen on May 18, 2025, examining lesser-known American serial murderers comparable in notoriety to figures like Jeffrey Dahmer. The series, consisting of multiple episodes, highlights overlooked cases through archival footage and expert analysis, underscoring Pantheon's strength in investigative unscripted formats. Advancing its unscripted slate, Pantheon entered a multi-series development deal with A+E Global Media and in March 2025, aiming to create diverse content across , , and inspirational genres for networks like Lifetime and A&E. This partnership builds on over two decades of production, yielding dozens of television credits and reinforcing 's role in shaping premium programming.

Films and documentaries

Pantheon Media Group's film and documentary output emphasizes feature-length non-scripted and biographical works, often distributed through major networks like Lifetime and streaming platforms. The company has produced content spanning , biographical dramas, and narratives, leveraging its subsidiaries such as Film 45 and Entertainment to deliver high-impact storytelling. These productions typically focus on real-life figures and events, blending with dramatic reenactments where appropriate. A notable entry in their feature film portfolio is the 2017 biographical crime drama Cocaine Godmother, produced for Lifetime and starring Catherine Zeta-Jones as Griselda Blanco, the notorious Colombian drug lord known as the "Godmother of Cocaine." Directed by Guillermo Navarro and written by David McKenna, the film chronicles Blanco's rise in the Miami cocaine trade during the 1970s and 1980s, highlighting her role in over 200 murders and her pioneering influence in the U.S. drug market. It premiered on Lifetime on January 20, 2018, and received attention for Zeta-Jones's portrayal, earning a 37% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on its exploration of Blanco's complex life. In recent years, Pantheon has expanded into timely documentaries, particularly in the genre. Through its New York Post Entertainment label, the company released New York Post Presents: Luigi Mangione Monster or Martyr? in January 2025 on , offering an insider look at the manhunt and polarizing public perception surrounding Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO in December 2024. The special draws on the 's reporting to examine Mangione's background, motives, and the societal debates he sparked, positioning him as either a monster or a in online . Additionally, in September 2025, Pantheon collaborated with Texas Crew and on the sports documentary Thunder On: Resurgence of the SMU Mustangs, which premiered on and details Southern Methodist University's football program's recovery from the 1987 "death penalty" scandal to its 2024 appearance. Directed and executive produced by Chip Rives, the film underscores themes of redemption and institutional revival in college athletics. The group's documentaries often prioritize and biographical subjects, reflecting a commitment to unpacking controversial real-world stories with journalistic rigor. Budget details for these projects are not publicly disclosed, but their distribution on platforms like Lifetime, , and highlights Pantheon's focus on accessible, high-profile releases. Complementing these longer-form works, Pantheon integrates short-form content and event specials under 30 minutes through labels like 45Live, which specializes in live events and quick-format pieces such as branded activations and highlight reels, though these are not cataloged separately from broader output.

Awards and recognition

Pantheon Media Group has produced content that has received multiple prestigious awards. Its contributions to ESPN's documentary series earned several . The company has also garnered for various unscripted programs, including a win for Beyond the Glory in the Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology category at the 26th in 2005. Additionally, productions have received for inclusive content. As of November 2025, the company's portfolio continues to be recognized for excellence in nonscripted and scripted programming across networks and streamers.

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