Factual Producer RIVR Media Partners with Industry Leader to Launch Multi-Platform Production Spaces ‘RIVR Studios’
Submitted by Scott Bird
April 20, 2021

Knoxville, one of the fastest growing U.S. Hubs for TV
and film production, will be home to RIVR Studios

• Opening this summer, RIVR Studios will provide a new resource to the TV, film and commercial production industry

• RIVR Studios is a partnership between leading factual producer RIVR Media and HGTV co-founder and former Discovery executive, Bob Baskerville, who becomes President of RIVR Studios

• The studios will diversify RIVR Media’s business, which under the leadership of veteran producer and entrepreneur Dee Haslam and Emmy-nominated showrunner Lori Golden-Stryer, has achieved substantial growth with factual and lifestyle series including HGTV’s “Fixer to Fabulous”

KNOXVILLE - Leading independent producer RIVR Media announced today the upcoming launch of RIVR Studios, comprised of multiple full-service, COVID-compliant studio spaces in Knoxville, one of the fastest-growing U.S. hubs for TV and film production.

Opening this summer, RIVR Studios will diversify RIVR Media’s business as a long-established producer of popular series for leading U.S. cable networks. Located among the Southeast’s largest media markets, the fully equipped studios will be a new resource for producers of content, including unscripted and scripted series, films, branded content and advertising.

Commenting on the upcoming launch of RIVR Studios Kathleen Finch, Chief Lifestyle Brands Officer at Discovery, Inc. says: “Rapid industry changes and the impact of COVID have further accelerated the Southeast’s growth as a center for production and talent, resulting in greater need for top-tier facilities in the region. It is exciting to see a leading player such as RIVR Media respond to the increasing demand by opening turnkey studio spaces that promise to be best in class both regionally and nationally.”

RIVR Media is jointly led by veteran producer and entrepreneur Dee Haslam, managing partner of the Cleveland Browns, investor operator of the Columbus Crew, and CEO of Haslam Sports Group; and Emmy-nominated Showrunner and CEO Lori Golden-Stryer. The two executives first joined forces 20 years ago and continue their working partnership at RIVR Media. Following Haslam’s appointment of Golden-Stryer as CEO in 2019, they have together been accelerating the growth of a business that has become a female-led success story.

In a joint statement, Dee Haslam and Lori Golden-Stryer commented: “Knoxville has long been a hidden gem in the Southeast as a TV and film hotbed. Seeing its continuing growth over the last year, we identified an exciting opportunity to launch a full-service studio space equipped for all forms of production. Having Bob as President will bring to RIVR Studios unmatched experience in brand building, digital technology and business leadership.”

RIVR Studios is a partnership between RIVR Media and industry veteran Bob Baskerville, formerly EVP, Digital and Media Operations at Discovery Inc., where he led the company’s U.S. portfolio of production and post-production services. Baskerville, one of the founders of HGTV, has led multiple businesses and technology initiatives throughout his 20-plus years with Scripps Networks, including the company's portfolio of digital lifestyle brands and international channels business. Baskerville will serve as President of RIVR Studios.

“Having led RIVR Media to become a world-class producer, Dee and Lori have a keen understanding of the resources needed to create content to the highest standard,” added Baskerville. “There could not be a better time to launch RIVR Studios, which will establish a valuable resource both for their own productions and for content creators across the country. “

In recent years, RIVR Media has grown to become one of the most prolific creators of factual and lifestyle content in the U.S., with a diverse portfolio that includes series for Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Animal Planet, A&E, Lifetime, Oxygen, ESPN and more.

Following recent successes including HGTV’s returning hit “Fixer to Fabulous”, RIVR Media has numerous upcoming shows for 2021 and beyond, including “Breaking Bland” for HGTV, “Super Dad” for Magnolia and multiple new series for leading networks that are soon to be announced.

Since launching in 1999, RIVR Media has produced thousands of shows for U.S. cable networks across genres including docusoaps, reality competitions, documentaries, true crime series, makeover shows, game shows, travel series, and sports entertainment. Find out more at www.rivr.com.