Knight Enterprises and Magee TV are fusing their companies into one production and distribution business. Launched on Tuesday, the new Knight Magee Industries will see executives Chris Knight and Al Magee steer the company as co-CEOs, and will retain their respective offices in Ottawa and Toronto. No layoffs are expected.

‘We want to bring a turnkey approach to how we develop media. So rather than just deliver a television show, we want to deliver multiplatform materials and ancillary opportunities as well… everything from merchandising and bobblehead dolls,’ Knight tells Playback Daily.

He has known Magee for 12 years, and the pair have complementary business and personal traits, says Knight.

‘We saw this as an opportunity, rather than a bad time,’ he adds, noting that the new company, with a combined staff of 16, will be hiring in the new year.

His Ottawa production house is known for lifestyle programming including Cook Like a Chef, Junk Brothers and Licence to Grill. Magee’s credits include lifestyle shows The Smart Woman Survival Guide and Everyday Exotic, and scripted programming such as Little Mosque on the Prairie.

Knight Magee Industries’ first project will be the recently announced TV movie based on the adventures of Sir Samuel Benfield Steele, in collaboration with Calgary-based producer Earth to Sky Pictures.