Concord Originals Acquires Legendary RKO Studio, 5,000+ Film Rights

Concord Originals, the film and TV division of music company Concord, has acquired the legendary Hollywood studio RKO, known for classics like Citizen Kane, King Kong, and It’s a Wonderful Life. This acquisition includes derivative rights to over 5,000 titles, encompassing remakes, sequels, stage rights, and unproduced screenplays, positioning Concord to develop new projects across film, television, and theater. RKO will operate as an imprint under Concord Originals, co-led by Sophia Dilley and Mary Beth O’Connor, while longtime RKO chairman and CEO Ted Hartley transitions to Chairman Emeritus and lead producer roles. Concord CEO Bob Valentine highlighted the strategic expansion into film and TV, emphasizing the rich cultural impact of RKO’s catalog and the potential for theatrical adaptations. Hartley will also launch a new production company, Roseblood Pictures, focusing on original programming and book adaptations. Concord’s acquisition reflects its growing ambitions in content creation, leveraging RKO’s historic IP alongside its existing music and theatrical projects.