Entertainment One, or eOne, has acquired a 65% stake in Naked and Afraid prodco Renegade83, in a bid to expand its U.S. unscripted business.

As part of the deal, co-presidents and co-founders David Garfinkle and Jay Renfroe will continue to lead the California-based prodco. The shop also produces Naked and Afraid XL, Fit to Fat to Fit and Blind Date among other properties.

“We are thrilled to welcome David, Jay and the Renegade 83 team to eOne. Renegade is truly best-in-class with a winning formula and a strong track record of success in unscripted television. We are looking forward to collaborating as they continue to do what they do best now powered by eOne,” said John Morayniss, CEO, eOne Television, in a statement. “Renegade complements our expansive reality slate and augments our ever-growing creative pipeline with authentic stories for audiences both at home and around the world.”

EOne also has Canadian prodcos Paperny and Force Four in its roster.

EOne was represented in the transaction by Matt Thompson of Sidley Austin, LLP; with Richard Gray and Thomas Dey of ACF Investment Bank, and David Sands of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP for Renegade 83.

– from realscreen