Halifax’s Arcadia Entertainment has found a new partner in U.K. distributor Parthenon Entertainment, which recently acquired a minority stake in the documentary production company.

Arcadia will serve as a Canuck production partner for Parthenon’s international distribution and production business. The transaction also grants Parthenon a first-look option to gain international rights on all Arcadia productions.

Arcadia president John Wesley Chisholm tells Playback Daily it made sense to take the seven-year business relationship with the distributor to the next level.

‘Even when we were working in development and planning new ideas, we started talking to them more about whether things will work in the international market,’ he says, adding, ‘They’re a great resource so we can make smarter decisions about what we produce.’ Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Arcadia specializes in ocean-related documentaries including Buried at Sea, Dreamwrecks and the adventure series Marine Machines, which sold to broadcasters including National Geographic International and Discovery USA.

The companies will also explore new format and coproduction initiatives for other genres including drama and kids.