Sphere Abacus is merging traditional television sales with digital rights distribution after acquiring Rocket Rights/Rights Booster and renaming the operation Rocket Booster.
What the deal changes
Rocket Booster was founded by Matthew Frank with his late brother David in 2021 as a digital rights seller focused on FAST and video-on-demand. Under the new structure, Frank becomes executive director and former COO Cat Davie becomes managing director. Both will report to Sphere Abacus boss Jonathan Ford.
Sphere Abacus said Rocket Booster will take the lead on multi-platform digital and social media distribution across the combined Sphere Abacus and Rocket Booster catalogues. Traditional TV sales and licensing will sit with Sphere Abacus.
“This significant move is yet another step in the development of Sphere Abacus and highlights our ambition to further penetrate the global digital market,” Ford said.
Why this matters for rights buyers
The acquisition consolidates two parts of the distribution chain that media planners and streaming teams often negotiate separately. A catalogue that already includes Heated Rivalry, Leaving Neverland and the upcoming Yaga now has a clearer route into FAST and VoD, alongside the existing linear licensing pipeline.
FAST, or free ad-supported streaming television, has become a growing inventory source for ad buyers. A single sales point across linear, VoD and social platforms can reduce friction when buyers want to clear a title or package content across devices and markets.
- One combined catalogue: digital and traditional rights are now under the same distribution roof.
- Leadership continuity: Frank and Davie stay on, keeping digital relationships intact.
- Platform expansion: the stated goal is deeper FAST, VoD and social video distribution.
Bell Media’s scale behind the move
The deal follows a period of ownership change. Previously known as Abacus Media Rights, the distributor was bought by Canada’s Sphere Media for $18.2 million two years ago and became a Bell Media company about a year later. That corporate backing gives Rocket Booster access to a wider catalogue and broader distribution ambitions.
For competitors, the transaction signals that digital distribution is becoming a core sales function rather than an add-on. Mid-sized distributors are likely watching whether combining linear and digital rights under one leadership team produces faster licensing cycles and stronger FAST inventory.
The bigger picture for streaming and TV teams
For media planners, a combined rights operation changes the practical workflow. Instead of approaching a traditional distributor for TV rights and a separate digital specialist for FAST or VoD, buyers may now have one conversation. That matters when planning a campaign around a catalogue title, because the availability of ad-supported streaming windows can change inventory estimates.
The emphasis on social media digital distribution also suggests content may be cleared more quickly for clip-based and short-form use. Platforms are competing for licensed video, and distributors that can package social rights alongside full-episode VoD may have an advantage with younger audiences.
Source: Deadline
