Bell Media has acquired a majority stake in the U.K.-based international distribution company Sphere Abacus with the transaction set to close in the coming weeks.

No financial details were disclosed.

The move, according to a release from the BCE subsidiary, bolsters Bell Media’s existing relationship with Montreal-based media company Sphere Media and serves as a launchpad for Bell Media’s content distribution expansion. Bell Media purchased an undisclosed minority stake in Sphere Media in 2023 with that stake being maintained through this acquisition.

“Late last year, we set the expansion of our global content distribution business as a core strategic priority,” said Bell Media president Sean Cohan (pictured) in a statement. “It’s gratifying to see that vision realized through our partnership with Sphere Media and Sphere Abacus.”

Through the acquisition, Sphere Abacus will become the primary international distributor of Bell Media’s owned distribution rights. The company will continue to be led by Sphere Abacus managing director, Jonathan Ford.

“The arrival of Bell Media will enable Sphere Abacus to significantly accelerate its vision of international expansion in content acquisition and exploitation, with the aim of positioning the company among the industry leaders,” said Sphere Media CEO Bruno Dube.

Following the acquisition’s closure, the combined Sphere Abacus and Bell Media catalogue will contain more than 5,500 hours of content, including titles such as Small Achievable Goals, The Trades and Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson.

In June 2024, Sphere Media moved to acquire Abacus Media Rights, which later became Sphere Abacus, for $24.6 million. The acquisition was completed in September of that year with Bell Media partnered on the transaction. The two have also collaborated on series such as Transplant and a Quebec adaptation of Four Weddings.