Los Angeles is the center of US media and entertainment M&A in 2026. This covers 13 active advisors in LA - deal sizes, sector focus, and recent transactions in streaming, film, TV, music, gaming, and sports rights.
LA media and entertainment M&A in 2026
LA hosts every major studio, network, and streaming platform globally. That concentration of IP makes it the most active US entertainment M&A market.
Media M&A deal value hit $557B globally in 2025, led by streaming consolidation. Netflix's $82.7B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery headlined the year.
Before your first advisor call, organize your content rights in an Ellty data room. Entertainment buyers want to see revenue splits and licensing agreements early.
Use Ellty's document analytics to track which buyers open your CIM. Knowing who's reviewing your materials before management meetings saves weeks of follow-up.
| Advisor | Deal Type | Deal Size | Sector Focus | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houlihan Lokey | Houlihan Lokey | Both | $50M-$5B+ | Digital media, streaming, gaming, ad tech, digital content | hl.com |
| The Raine Group | The Raine Group | Both | $100M-$10B+ | Sports, media, gaming, content, music | rainegroup.com |
| LionTree Advisors | LionTree Advisors | Both | $200M-$100B+ | TMT, media, streaming, telecom | liontree.com |
| Salem Partners | Salem Partners | Both | $10M-$500M | Film, TV, digital distribution, music, entertainment tech | salempartners.com |
| Moelis & Company | Moelis & Company | Both | $50M-$5B+ | Media, sports, entertainment, gaming | moelis.com |
| Lazard | Lazard | Both | $100M-$50B+ | Media, entertainment, TMT, content | lazard.com |
| Goldman Sachs | Goldman Sachs | Both | $200M+ | Entertainment IP, gaming, media, sports | goldmansachs.com |
| Bank of America Securities | Bank of America Securities | Both | $200M+ | Media, entertainment, telecom, streaming | bofasecurities.com |
| Rothschild & Co | Rothschild & Co | Both | $100M-$50B+ | Media, content, entertainment, TMT | rothschildandco.com |
| Centerview Partners | Centerview Partners | Both | $500M+ | Media, entertainment, special committee advisory | centerviewpartners.com |
| Evercore | Evercore | Both | $100M-$20B+ | Media, entertainment, TMT, streaming | evercore.com |
| Piper Sandler | Piper Sandler | Both | $50M-$2B+ | Media, TMT, digital media, entertainment tech | pipersandler.com |
| Imperial Capital | Imperial Capital | Both | $25M-$500M | Media, entertainment, consumer, gaming, sports | imperialcapital.com |
How to vet a media M&A advisor
Ask for a named deal list showing buyers, deal sizes, and sub-sectors from the last 24 months. A credible LA media advisor closes 5+ entertainment transactions per year.
Check if the advisor covers your specific sub-sector. A streaming M&A advisor knows different buyers than a music rights or gaming advisor.
Stale deals and unnamed-buyer track records are red flags to avoid. Most advisors oversell their network - ask for proof through named closed deals.
Use Ellty's screenshot protection to secure content docs during advisor outreach. Check our Los Angeles M&A advisor guide for broader deal context.
Running an entertainment M&A process in LA?
Set up your data room before your first advisor meeting.
Start free 14-day trialWhat an M&A deal looks like: 6 stages
LA entertainment deals run four to eight months depending on deal complexity. Content library deals move faster than sports rights or studio acquisitions.
| What happens | What you need ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Preparation | Valuation, advisor selection, CIM and teaser drafted | 3 years P&L, content rights schedule, licensing agreements |
| Stage 2: Advisor engagement | Engagement letter signed, buyer list targeted | Engagement letter, NDA template, content overview ready |
| Stage 3: Marketing | Teaser and CIM sent to studios, platforms, and PE buyers | Ellty data room with CIM, content catalog, and revenue schedules |
| Stage 4: LOI | Buyers submit bids, advisor shortlists top two to three | Updated revenue data, rights schedule, LOI draft |
| Stage 5: Due diligence | Buyer reviews rights, revenue, licenses, HR, and contracts | Full Ellty data room: IP ownership, content agreements, distribution rights |
| Stage 6: Close | Purchase agreement signed, IP transferred, rights assigned | Board resolutions, IP assignment filings, distribution contract transfers |
13 top media M&A advisors in LA
These firms are active in streaming, film, TV, music, gaming, and sports rights M&A in Los Angeles and across the US market in 2026.
1. Houlihan Lokey
Houlihan Lokey tops TMT M&A by deal count and is headquartered in Century City, Los Angeles. They ranked #1 in TMT M&A advisory in H1 2025 with 34 closed transactions, more than any other firm globally.
Recent Deals: Ranked #1 TMT M&A advisor by deal count in H1 2025 with 34 transactions. Published State of the Digital Video/OTT Market Spring 2025, tracking streaming consolidation and buyer appetite through 2026.
LinkedIn: Houlihan Lokey on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Digital media, streaming, gaming, ad tech, OTT, digital content distribution
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$5B+
Location: Century City, Los Angeles, CA (headquarters)
Website: hl.com
2. The Raine Group
Raine is the most specialized boutique for sports, media, content, and gaming M&A globally. They advised Skydance on its merger with Paramount alongside BofA Securities and RedBird Capital in 2025.
Recent Deals: Advised Skydance Media on its merger with Paramount Global alongside BofA Securities and RedBird Capital (2025). Manages approximately $2.8B in assets under management across advisory and investment strategies.
LinkedIn: The Raine Group on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Sports, media, gaming, content, music, digital entertainment
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M-$10B+
Location: New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA
Website: rainegroup.com
3. LionTree Advisors
LionTree advises on the biggest TMT and media transactions, including Paramount's $110B WBD deal. They have served as exclusive advisor on the defining media consolidation events of the decade.
Recent Deals: Advised Paramount Skydance on the announced $110B acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (2026). Advised Paramount on its merger with Skydance Media (2025). Advised Axel Springer on its acquisition of The Telegraph Media Group.
LinkedIn: LionTree on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: TMT, media, streaming, telecom, digital content, entertainment
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $200M-$100B+
Location: New York, NY (active across the LA entertainment market)
Website: liontree.com
4. Salem Partners
Salem focuses on media and entertainment M&A exclusively from their LA office since 1997. They originated and exclusively advised on the FilmRise acquisition that created Radial Entertainment in July 2025.
Recent Deals: Exclusive advisor to Oaktree and Shout! Studios on FilmRise acquisition creating Radial Entertainment (July 2025). Exclusive advisor to Gravitas in its sale to Shout! Studios (April 2025). Advised ValpakClipp on $140M senior loan financing (2026).
LinkedIn: Salem Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Film, TV, digital distribution, music, entertainment technology, media finance
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $10M-$500M
Location: Los Angeles, CA (headquarters, founded 1997)
Website: salempartners.com
5. Moelis & Company
Moelis is LA-headquartered with a dedicated Global Head of Media, Sports, and Entertainment on their team. They reported record Q1 2026 revenues of $319.8M with all-time high announced transaction pipelines.
Recent Deals: Record Q1 2026 revenues of $319.8M (+4% YoY) with all-time high announced transaction pipelines. Carlos Jimenez serves as Global Head of Media, Sports, and Entertainment at the firm.
LinkedIn: Moelis & Company on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, sports, entertainment, gaming, TMT, content IP
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$5B+
Location: Los Angeles, CA (headquarters)
Website: moelis.com
6. Lazard
Lazard advises on major media and entertainment M&A with global reach and deep LA market access. They are consistently involved in the largest content consolidation and studio transactions globally.
Recent Deals: Active in media, entertainment, and TMT M&A through 2025-2026. Lazard's entertainment practice covers studio transactions, content rights deals, and streaming platform M&A with a deep global buyer network.
LinkedIn: Lazard on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, entertainment, content, TMT, digital media, streaming
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M-$50B+
Location: Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY
Website: lazard.com
Closing a media deal in Los Angeles?
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Start free 14-day trial7. Goldman Sachs
Goldman advised on the $55B Electronic Arts privatization led by Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's PIF in 2025. They remain one of the most active banks for entertainment IP and gaming M&A.
Recent Deals: Involved in the $55B Electronic Arts take-private by Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and Affinity Partners (2025). Active in entertainment IP, gaming, and media M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Goldman Sachs on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Entertainment IP, gaming, media, streaming, sports assets
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $200M+
Location: Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY
Website: goldmansachs.com
8. Bank of America Securities
BofA Securities advised Skydance on its merger with Paramount alongside The Raine Group in 2025. They are involved in the largest Hollywood media transactions each year.
Recent Deals: Advised Skydance Media on its merger with Paramount Global alongside The Raine Group and RedBird Capital (2025). Active in media, entertainment, and TMT M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Bank of America on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, entertainment, telecom, streaming, content IP
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $200M+
Location: Los Angeles, CA and national coverage
Website: bofasecurities.com
9. Rothschild & Co
Rothschild & Co advised Paramount on the Skydance merger alongside LionTree in 2025. Their independent advisory model is valued in media transactions requiring unbiased deal counsel.
Recent Deals: Advised Paramount Global on its merger with Skydance Media alongside LionTree Advisors (2025). Active in media, content, and entertainment M&A through 2025-2026 with global coverage.
LinkedIn: Rothschild & Co on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, content, entertainment, TMT, distribution
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M-$50B+
Location: Los Angeles, CA and global network
Website: rothschildandco.com
10. Centerview Partners
Centerview advised Paramount's independent special committee on the Skydance merger in 2025. Elite boutiques like Centerview are called in for board-level advisory on the most sensitive entertainment transactions.
Recent Deals: Advised the independent special committee of Paramount's board on the Skydance Media merger (2025). Active in large-cap media and entertainment M&A requiring special committee and fairness opinion advisory.
LinkedIn: Centerview Partners on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, entertainment, special committee advisory, fairness opinions
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $500M+
Location: New York, NY (active in the LA entertainment market)
Website: centerviewpartners.com
11. Evercore
Evercore is consistently ranked among the top independent advisory firms for media M&A globally. Their entertainment practice covers streaming consolidation, content rights, and digital media transactions.
Recent Deals: Consistently active in large-cap media, entertainment, and TMT M&A through 2025-2026. Evercore's independent model gives media companies unbiased counsel without the financing conflicts common at bulge bracket banks.
LinkedIn: Evercore on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, entertainment, TMT, streaming, content, digital media
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $100M-$20B+
Location: Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY
Website: evercore.com
12. Piper Sandler
Piper Sandler covers media and TMT M&A with a research-backed approach and strong deal track record. They were named 2025 Outstanding M&A Investment Bank of the Year by the Global M&A Network.
Recent Deals: Named 2025 Outstanding M&A Investment Bank of the Year by the Global M&A Network. Active in media, TMT, and entertainment technology M&A through 2025-2026.
LinkedIn: Piper Sandler on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, TMT, digital media, entertainment technology, internet
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $50M-$2B+
Location: National coverage with Los Angeles market access
Website: pipersandler.com
13. Imperial Capital
Imperial Capital is an LA-based boutique active in media, entertainment, and consumer M&A. Their middle-market focus targets entertainment companies that larger banks won't prioritize.
Recent Deals: Active in media, entertainment, and consumer M&A in the Los Angeles market through 2025-2026 with a team serving mid-market entertainment and gaming companies.
LinkedIn: Imperial Capital on LinkedIn
Sector Focus: Media, entertainment, consumer, gaming, sports
Deal Type: Both
Deal Size: $25M-$500M
Location: Los Angeles, CA (headquarters)
Website: imperialcapital.com
How LA advisors value content IP
Content IP is the primary driver of valuation in LA entertainment M&A. Advisors who understand streaming residuals, licensing, and rights windows are essential here.
Library value in 2026 depends on renegotiation rights and exclusivity terms negotiated in the streaming era. A content library without streaming rights clauses is worth less to most buyers.
Your advisor should know whether your content earns licensing fees vs. subscription revenue. Revenue model determines which buyer pool your advisor should target.
Read about M&A deal types to understand how IP-heavy deals differ from product M&A. Entertainment deals often use royalty and earn-out structures tied to future content performance.
Sell-side vs buy-side in LA media M&A
Sell-side advisors run your process and source buyers for your content company or IP portfolio. Buy-side advisors help studios, platforms, and PE firms acquire entertainment assets.
Most LA boutiques handle both, but some run almost exclusively sell-side processes. Salem Partners and Moelis are known for active sell-side mandates for mid-market media companies.
Don't hire a buy-side advisor to run your sell-side process. Ask for the last 10 closed sell-side deals if that's what you need.
See how to prepare for an M&A process before your first advisor call. Having your documents organized from day one signals maturity to potential buyers.
What LA media buyers check first
PE buyers acquiring content companies check revenue stability and IP ownership first. A library with unclear rights ownership will delay or kill any deal in diligence.
Strategic acquirers check audience data, subscriber metrics, and ad revenue composition. Streaming buyers want exclusivity rights, not just passive licensing income from your catalog.
Protect sensitive IP docs with password-protected Ellty links. Stage document access so buyers see financial summaries before they see full IP ownership records.
Gaming and music buyers check catalog ownership, royalty rates, and exclusivity terms carefully. An advisor tracking streaming ARPU data can target the right buyers for your specific asset type.
How Ellty helps you close a media M&A deal in LA
Now that you have your LA media advisor shortlist. Here's how to prepare your content docs for buyer outreach.
- 1.Upload content rights, licensing agreements, and CIMAdd your content agreements and rights schedule before your advisor contacts buyers. Upload all docs to the data room before outreach begins.
- 2.Set staged permissions for each buyer and process phaseControl who sees your IP ownership docs and revenue splits by stage. Share financial summaries before NDA and full rights docs after.
- 3.Track studio and PE engagement in real timeSee which buyers open your CIM and how long they spend on each section. Real-time alerts tell you who is engaged before you follow up.
Common questions about LA media and entertainment M&A advisors
- Salem Partners has focused exclusively on media, entertainment, and technology M&A from their LA office since 1997. They advised on the FilmRise acquisition creating Radial Entertainment in July 2025.
- Most content and media deals run four to eight months from first advisor engagement to close. Large studio or streaming acquisitions with complex rights diligence can take nine to twelve months.
- Expect 2-5% for deals in the $10M to $200M range, with minimums from most boutiques. Larger transactions above $500M typically use modified Lehman formulas that reduce the percentage significantly.
- Yes - organize content rights, licensing agreements, and revenue schedules before your first meeting. Set up an Ellty data room to show buyers you are ready to move quickly through due diligence.
- Streaming buyers check exclusivity rights, subscriber data, and content ownership documentation first. An advisor who understands streaming M&A can frame your catalog to match what platform buyers want to see.
