ACT Entertainment

What ACT Entertainment does

ACT Entertainment (legal entity A.C.T. Lighting, Inc.) is a privately held, North America-focused distributor and manufacturer of professional audio, video, lighting, and power distribution technologies serving the live entertainment, broadcast, house-of-worship, industrial/OEM, music retail, and Pro A/V installation markets. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with operations across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., the company distributes a portfolio of 15 complementary brands organized into 19 product categories, including exclusive North American distribution rights for Ayrton, PK Sound, MA Lighting, Robert Juliat, Green Hippo, Visual Productions, Zactrack, SGM, and MDG, alongside owned brands AC Power Distribution and acquired video processing assets including tvONE (acquired December 2023). Technical capabilities span modular 4K60 HDR video processing (tvONE CALICO PRO 4200), networked DMX/RDM relay infrastructure (Visual Productions RdmRelay2), real-time position tracking (Zactrack mini/PRO/SMART), and robotic line array audio with mobile control (PK Sound .dynamics MOVE), with recently announced NETGEAR AV-over-IP interoperability validating the full-stack production ecosystem.

The company generates revenue primarily through branded hardware product sales distributed via an authorized dealer network, direct B2B e-commerce to registered accounts, and direct enterprise field sales for major production companies such as PRG and GTE. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with dealer-account login authentication required. Marketing is anchored at industry trade shows including InfoComm, supplemented by social media, PR/earned media, and email communications. ACT Academy and Pixel Academy provide certification and training across the U.S. (Cincinnati) and U.K. (Maidenhead), supporting technical adoption and ecosystem lock-in. The company is led by CEO Ben Saltzman and Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bonniol, with wholly-owned subsidiaries including tvONE, Green Hippo Limited, Ambersphere Solutions, Spitfire Creative Technologies, and ACT Lighting Canada. In April 2024, ACT secured a $117 million debt facility from Comvest Credit Partners to support growth and operations.

Name

ACT Entertainment

Legal name

A.C.T. Lighting, Inc.

Website

https://actentertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ACT Entertainment is a North American distributor and manufacturer of professional audio, video, lighting, and power technologies for live entertainment, broadcast, and Pro A/V installation markets, distributing 15 premium brands and serving touring, production, and integration customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Entertainment Technology Distribution

NAICS

Electronics and Appliance Retailers (44921), Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Console/Handheld Accessories (Docks, Cases, Stands, Skins) (CRACAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cables, Mounts & Installation Accessories Retail (HDMI, Wall Mounts, Stands) (CRACAEAJ), Projectors & Projection Screens Retail (CRACAEAB), Event Production & Technical Services (AV, Lighting, Staging) (BPAFAGAB), Mobile/Digital Experiential (AR/VR, Interactive Installations) (MPAAAGAI), Brand Activations & Experiential Campaign Design (MPAAAGAA), Family/Party Board Games Retail (CRALALAB), Digital/Interactive Toys & Accessories Distribution (CRAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Professional lighting distribution
• Live event technology
• Audio video systems
• Concert touring equipment
• Entertainment technology supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Branded Hardware Product Sales: ACT Entertainment generates the majority of its revenue through the sale of branded entertainment technology products including audio, video, lighting, power distribution, and related equipment through its dealer network and direct sales. The company distributes 15 proprietary and partner brands, including AC Power Distribution, Ayrton, tvONE, Robert Juliat, Zactrack, Visual Productions, SGM, MA Lighting, Green Hippo, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACT Entertainment is a value-added distributor and manufacturer of professional audio, video, lighting, and power distribution equipment for the live entertainment, broadcast, and AV installation industries. The company represents approximately 15 complementary premium brands across North America (including Ayrton, tvONE, MA Lighting, Green Hippo, Robert Juliat, Zactrack, Visual Productions, SGM, PK Sound, ProCo Sound, AC Power Distribution) and also owns manufacturing brands acquired through the December 2023 tvONE acquisition and the proprietary AC Power Distribution product line. Customers purchase hardware, receive technical support, and access training via ACT Academy and Pixel Academy.

Product overview

ACT Entertainment operates as a multi-brand distribution and manufacturing company serving the live entertainment, broadcast, and installation markets. The portfolio spans 15+ brands organized across complementary product categories: professional lighting (Ayrton, Robert Juliat, SGM Lighting, MDG), video processing and media servers (tvONE, Green Hippo), lighting control (MA Lighting, Visual Productions), real-time position tracking (Zactrack), power distribution (AC Power Distribution), audio cables and connectors (ProCo Sound, RapcoHorizon, Neutrik), and consumer audio accessories (Lava Cable, Rat Distortion, Ultimate Support). Additionally, ACT Entertainment serves as exclusive North American distributor for PK Sound's robotic line array audio systems. The company also distributes Atmospherics, Effects Pedals, Entertainment Stands, Live Sound equipment, and Merchandise. ACT Entertainment acquired tvONE in December 2023 to expand its AV technology footprint. Products serve markets including Concert Touring & Live Experiences, Film & TV, House of Worship, Industrial Wire - OEM, Music Retail & eCommerce, and Pro A/V Installation - Broadcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AC Power Distribution: Leading brand of portable power distribution products to the entertainment industry since 1991
• Ayrton
• Green Hippo
• MA Lighting
• tvONE
• Robert Juliat
• Zactrack
• Visual Productions
• SGM
• ProCo Sound
• RapcoHorizon
• MDG
• Lava Cable
• Ultimate Support
• Rat Distortion

Products and services

• tvONE CALICO PRO 4200 Video Processor Multi-screen 4K video processor / scaler for professional AV integration, broadcast, and live event video distribution; part of the tvONE product line owned by ACT Entertainment.
• Visual Productions RdmRelay2 RDM/DMX relay with automatic on/off triggered by DMX/RDM signal loss; designed for permanent lighting installations where fixtures must default to a known state on signal loss.
• Ayrton LED Lighting Fixture Line Premium moving-head LED lighting fixtures (profiles, spots, washes, beams) from French manufacturer Ayrton, distributed exclusively in North America by ACT Entertainment for concert touring, theatrical, and broadcast applications.
• PK Sound .dynamics MOVE Mobile App Mobile control application for PK Sound's robotic line array systems, enabling real-time multi-axis adjustment of individual enclosures from a mobile device.
• Robert Juliat Dalis LED Batten Asymmetric LED batten fixture using a proprietary reflector design to deliver even cyclorama, wash, and backdrop lighting for theatre, broadcast, and live-event applications.
• Zactrack Real-Time Tracking System Real-time ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system used to automate follow-spot operation, performer tracking, and motion-controlled lighting on live productions.
• MA Lighting grandMA3 Console High-end lighting-control console and software platform used on major concert tours, theatrical productions, and broadcast events; integrated with 3D visualization and networking for large show files.
• AC Power Distribution Power Boxes Proprietary portable power-distribution boxes (e.g., Lunchbox, Snackbox) manufactured by ACT for touring, live-event, and theatrical power management.
• Green Hippo Media Servers Media-server hardware running Hippotizer software for real-time video playback, mapping, and content management on live events and installations.
• ProCo Sound Audio Cables & Snakes Professional audio cables, multi-pair snakes, and stage-interconnect products for touring, broadcast, and installed-sound applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• tvONE's CALICO PRO 4200 earned two prestigious industry awards at InfoComm 2026: Future's Best of Show Award (Sound & Video Contractor) and SCN Installation Product Award in Most Innovative Emerging Technology category.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NETGEARcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2026ACT Entertainment and NETGEAR announced a strategic partnership establishing verified interoperability between NETGEAR Switches and key technologies from ACT's tvONE, Green Hippo, and lighting control brands. The partnership ensures that live production professionals can confidently deploy fully validated, high-performance network infrastructure across lighting, video processing, and media playback. ACT customers gain access to NETGEAR AV's network support services, certification, and training programs through ACT's facilities in Maidenhead, UK and Cincinnati, Ohio. The partnership was announced and highlighted at InfoComm 2026 (ACT Booth N6813).
• PK SoundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 February 2026ACT Entertainment serves as the exclusive North American distributor of PK Sound products, including the T10 and T8 robotic line array systems, intelligent subwoofers, and point source modules. ACT facilitated GTE's investment in PK Sound's next-generation robotic technologies, enabling GTE to deploy PK Sound's patented multi-axis robotic technology for live event audio optimization.
• tvONEcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2023In December 2023, ACT Entertainment acquired tvONE, a US-based audio, video, and lighting products manufacturer, to expand its footprint in the AV technology industry. tvONE is now a core brand within ACT Entertainment's portfolio, specializing in video processing solutions including the award-winning CALICO PRO 4200.
• Visual ProductionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Entertainment is the exclusive North American distributor for Visual Productions, a brand specializing in lighting control and relay solutions. ACT markets and distributes Visual Productions products including the RdmRelay2 four-channel DMX relay, announced at InfoComm 2026.
• Ayrton LightingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Entertainment is the exclusive North American distributor for Ayrton Lighting, a manufacturer of high-performance LED lighting fixtures. The partnership has generated significant customer investment, including PRG's acquisition of 500 Ayrton EagleStrike and 300 Ayrton Veloce Profile fixtures.
• MA LightingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Entertainment distributes MA Lighting products in North America as part of its portfolio of lighting control solutions.
• Green HippominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Entertainment is the exclusive North American distributor for Green Hippo, a brand specializing in media playback and video processing technology. Green Hippo's solutions are part of the validated AV-over-IP ecosystem under the NETGEAR partnership.
• ZactrackminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Entertainment distributes Zactrack real-time position tracking products in North America. Zactrack provides position tracking for audio, lighting, video, and more, enabling dynamic effects and automated tracking for live productions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ADJ Products: Manufacturer and distributor of professional lighting, atmospheric effects, and audio equipment for entertainment. Overlaps with ACT's lighting, atmospherics (MDG), and audio cable categories across similar end markets.
• Chauvet Professional: Manufacturer of professional lighting, atmospheric effects, and related entertainment technology. Competes with ACT's lighting portfolio (Ayrton, SGM, MDG) across touring, broadcast, and permanent installation segments.
• Elation Professional: Manufacturer and distributor of professional lighting fixtures for entertainment. Direct competitor to ACT-distributed Ayrton, Robert Juliat, and SGM in automated and static LED fixtures for touring, broadcast, and installation.

Broad incumbents

• d&b audiotechnik: Professional audio systems manufacturer with global direct sales. Competes with ACT-distributed PK Sound in large-format line array and point source systems for live events.
• Harman Professional Solutions: Broad incumbent in professional audio, lighting, and video (Martin lighting, JBL, Crown, AMX). Competes with ACT across multiple categories as a much larger conglomerate with deeper global reach and direct manufacturer relationships.
• ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls): Manufacturer of lighting control consoles, fixtures, and architectural systems. Competes with ACT-distributed MA Lighting and Visual Productions in lighting control for theatre, broadcast, and architectural markets.
• Meyer Sound: Professional loudspeaker manufacturer for touring, installation, and cinema. Overlaps with PK Sound and broader ACT audio distribution in the touring and installation markets.
• L-Acoustics: Premium professional audio manufacturer with global direct distribution. Competes with ACT-distributed PK Sound in robotic line array systems for touring and large-format live sound reinforcement.

Emerging players

• Biamp: AV systems manufacturer for commercial installations including conferencing and networked audio. Overlaps with ACT's installation/AV-over-IP ecosystem (tvONE + NETGEAR) in permanent commercial AV deployments.

Regional players

• Solotech: Canadian-headquartered provider of pro AV, lighting, and audio equipment sales, rental, and integration. Overlaps with ACT in distribution and large-touring customer relationships across North America.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/actentertainmentna/?hl=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ACTEntertainmentNA
• Facebookfacebook.com/actentertainmentNA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/actentertainment
• Instagraminstagram.com/actentertainmentna/?hl=en

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACT Entertainment