Publishing group Future has bought digital entertainment brand CinemaBlend in a deal boosting its online coverage of American films and TV shows.
CinemaBlend attracts 19.4 million monthly website visitors, with 28 million sessions in June as Americans sought advice on what to watch on TV in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Future CEO Zillah Byng-Thorne said the deal gave a significant boost to the firm’s share of the US TV, film, games and entertainment markets.
She added: “CinemaBlend is a great cultural fit for Future, producing content we are passionate about.”
Future shares have surged to a record high in recent weeks, although they opened 1% lower at 1,936p following today’s deal.
The company behind 140 titles including PC Gamer, Total Film and Classic Rock recently declared profits were way ahead of City expectations as more people choose to read news and entertainment content online.
Future added last month that visitor numbers to its sites had rocketed 25% in the UK and 40% in the US compared with the previous year.
No price has been disclosed for today’s deal. CinemaBlend generated increased revenues of $3.1 million (£2.4 million) in 2019, having seen significant online growth.
Its website, podcast series, social media channels and newsletters let fans explore and discuss films and TV shows.
