Last month Sony Pictures Entertainment recently announced its streaming service, Pure Flix, is merging with Great American Media to attract more Christian audiences. Their individual video content libraries will soon be available on both platforms in addition to cable television. Now the two companies have announced the deal has closed and Pure Flix has officially merged with Great American Media.
Bill Abbott formed Great American Media in 2021 after stepping down as CEO of Crown Media. His goal was to create an alternate source of entertainment for churchgoers other than the Hallmark Channel, a long-time home of Christmas movies which is owned by Crown Media.
Great American Media retains a majority interest in the merged company and oversees day-to-day management of the independent organization under Bill Abbott, who serves as CEO and reports to the company’s board of directors.
“The merger marks a significant milestone for our company, our employees, our business partners and our fans as we take an important step in our mission to become the leader in trusted, faith and family entertainment for a large and under-served market,” said Abbott. “We are extremely excited that Sony Pictures has chosen to partner with us, and we look forward to combining these two dynamic organizations to accelerate Great American Media’s growth strategy.”
Great American Family and Great American Living networks can reach 50 million homes still signed up for cable, these numbers are dwindling in recent quarters across several big networks. Now with access to Sony’s library of content it can offer even more programs.
The company is taking its first steps into a permanent streaming home, although other streaming services, such as Fubo and Frndly TV, offer some Great American Media content.
Pure Flix is a family-friendly faith-based streaming service founded by the creators of the God’s Not Dead film franchise. Its mission is to provide “media that strengthens your faith and values, is wholesome, and suitable for the entire family” and promises to host only content that is “free from uncomfortable surprises for you, your family, and your community.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment bought the Pure Flix in 2020 and has since acquired over one million subscribers.