Concord Originals Acquires Historic RKO Pictures, Gaining Rights to Over 5,000 Classic Films

In a landmark entertainment industry acquisition, Concord Originals has officially acquired RKO Pictures, the iconic film studio known for cinematic treasures like King Kong, Citizen Kane, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Suspicion. This deal marks a strategic expansion of Concord’s footprint in film, television, and stage production.

A Vast Legacy Under New Ownership

The acquisition includes derivative rights to over 5,000 titles, covering remakes, sequels, stage adaptations, copyrights, and even unproduced screenplays from the RKO vault. Concord purchased the company from Ted Hartley, who served as RKO’s Chairman and CEO for 35 years. Hartley will now act as Chairman Emeritus and lead producer on select projects, while also launching a new creative label, Roseblood Pictures.

“RKO is a treasure trove of storytelling that shaped global pop culture,” said Bob Valentine, CEO of Concord. “We are honored to be the next stewards of this historic catalog.”

Strategic Leadership and Creative Continuity

Under the new structure, RKO will retain its brand identity as a distinct imprint of Concord Originals. Leadership will be shared between Sophia Dilley, current head of Concord Originals, and Mary Beth O’Connor, who has been with RKO since 2015. Their joint focus will be on revitalizing RKO’s legacy with fresh adaptations across genres, including musicals, noir, horror, and thrillers.

One of the first projects in the pipeline is the highly anticipated stage revival of Top Hat, the beloved 1935 musical starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The new production is set to open in Chichester, England, before embarking on a broader tour.

For more updates on international series, check out our Turkish series collection, including dramas adapted from legendary cinematic traditions.

A Future Built on Classic Foundations

Dilley expressed excitement about merging Concord’s creative engine with RKO’s timeless properties. “This acquisition is a rare opportunity to honor the past while shaping the future,” she noted. Concord Originals’ recent successes include the Emmy-nominated Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. and upcoming collaborations with SkydanceTV and Jesse Collins Entertainment.

The union between Concord and RKO aims to fuel a new wave of content creation — from reimagined classics to bold, original storytelling that resonates with modern audiences across platforms.