‘Heated Rivalry’ Distributor Sphere Abacus Buys Digital Outfit Rocket Rights

Canada’s Heated Rivalry distributor Sphere Abacus has bought digital seller Rocket Rights/Rights Booster, renaming it Rocket Booster.

Founder Matthew Frank has become executive director of the newly-named company while former COO Cat Davie is now MD. Both will report to Sphere Abacus boss Jonathan Ford.

Founder by Frank with his late brother David in 2021, Rocket Booster is a digital rights seller specializing in FAST and VoD that Bell Media-owned Sphere Abacus said will “spearhead the expansion of all multi-platform digital and social media digital distribution across the combined Sphere Abacus and Rocket Booster catalogues.” Sphere Abacus will handle traditional TV and licensing from both companies.

Previously Abacus Media Rights, Sphere Abacus was bought by Canada’s Sphere Media for $18.2M two years back. It became a Bell Media company around a year later.

Ford said: “This significant move is yet another step in the development of Sphere Abacus and highlights our ambition to further penetrate the global digital market.  We are extremely pleased to be able to harness the experience and multiple relationships that Matthew and Cat have in the digital space and to build on our success in this crucial part of the business.”

Sphere Abacus sells the likes of Heated Rivalry, Leaving Neverland and the upcoming Yaga.