Industry

Serial Maven Studios, a next-generation studio pioneering innovative models for developing, financing, producing, and distributing unscripted content, has officially merged with Cantina Media, a leading premium production company.

This strategic merger marks a major step toward building a truly independent, globally focused production and distribution powerhouse. The newly expanded Serial Maven Studios now boasts a robust slate of over 350 hours of premium unscripted programming spanning a diverse range of genres.

The combined entity will retain the Serial Maven Studios name, with Cantina Media continuing as its production label.

“This merger reflects our forward-thinking approach and commitment to telling stories that resonate globally,” said Solange Attwood, CEO of Serial Maven Studios. “By integrating Cantina Media’s world-class production expertise with our international financing and distribution capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to offer unparalleled value to our platform partners and audiences worldwide.”

Founded in 2024 by Michael Kot and Betty Orr, Cantina Media brings a legacy of international success. Under their former banner, Saloon Media, Kot and Orr spearheaded award-winning productions for platforms such as Amazon Prime, Crave, CBC, HISTORY, Smithsonian, Discovery ID, UKTV, and Channel 5. Their credits include acclaimed titles like Canada’s Drag Race (Crave), Hoarders (A&E), Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer (Amazon Prime), Life Below Zero (National Geographic & Cottage Life), and See No Evil (Discovery ID).

“We’re excited to merge our complementary strengths,” said Michael Kot. “By combining creative ingenuity with a flexible, market-driven approach, we are building an adaptive studio primed for the evolving media landscape. This partnership allows us to embrace change with innovation, efficiency, and global reach.”