The MBS Group

What The MBS Group does

The MBS Group is the world's largest film and television studio operating and production services company, affiliated with private equity firm Hackman Capital Partners (which holds over $10 billion in assets under management). Headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, the company directly operates 30+ studios and provides equipment, production, and management services to 100+ additional studio locations across eight countries, supporting 600+ sound stages and 1,000+ productions annually. Its customer base spans virtually every major US studio, network, and streamer, including HBO, Netflix, Disney/Marvel, Amazon Studios, CBS, Paramount, Sony, Apple TV, and NBCUniversal, alongside flagship tenants such as Lightstorm Entertainment (Avatar franchise) and ILM's virtual production volume at MBS Media Campus.

The company delivers services through a vertically integrated stack. The MBS Equipment Company operates one of the world's largest inventories of lighting, grip, and expendables across 120+ depots in North America and Europe, with proprietary MBSi Innovations products including the Vulcan Automated Par 18 Head, AquaBat IP68 submersible LED system, TiLite T-600 edge-lit soft light, VFX 20:40 inflatable VFX wall, LEDtrix compact panels, and the LV Range of LED drivers and DMX-integrated power distribution. ISS Props operates the world's largest prop house with over 1.5 million SKUs in eleven US cities and London. Studio Art & Technology (SAT FX) provides custom set fabrication and special effects manufacturing. The company has designed and constructed more than 25 purpose-built studios encompassing 115 sound stages and over 3.5 million square feet, with active capital projects including the $1.25 billion Television City renovation and a $438 million London investment in Eastbrook and The Wharf Studios.

Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring managed services contracts (multi-year studio management engagements with property owners), usage-based equipment and prop rentals billed per production, professional services for studio design and consulting, and custom manufacturing. Studio management fees cover operations, staffing, property management, and leasing; equipment and props pricing is quote-based. The company monetizes sustainability investments (clean energy, non-diesel power, BREEAM Excellent-rated facilities) and workforce development (Illumination Training with Ghetto Film School, Make It Here program), both of which support access to tax-incentivized markets. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; all services are customized to production requirements.

Name

The MBS Group

Legal name

The MBS Group

Website

https://the-mbsgroup.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The MBS Group is the world's largest film and television studio operating and production services company, providing integrated studio management, lighting/grip equipment rental, props, set construction, and proprietary production technology to major studios and streamers across 120+ locations in eight countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Manhattan Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices38 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Studio Management Services: The MBS Group operates and manages film and television studios on behalf of owners, providing comprehensive business solutions including business operations, staffing, production protocols, property management, and marketing and leasing services. Revenue is generated through management fees and operational contracts with studio owners.
2. Equipment Rental - Lighting, Grip, and Expendables: One of the world's largest equipment sources for lighting, grip and expendables for film and television production. Revenue generated through rental of equipment inventory including proprietary technology solutions, trucks, generators, and expendable supplies.
3. Studio Design and Development Consulting: Comprehensive consulting services for studio owners and developers including design, development, construction and operations. The company has designed and constructed over 25 purpose-built studios with 115 sound stages.
4. ISS Props Rental: World's largest prop house with over 1.5 million props in inventory. Services include rental, design, manufacturing, engineering, graphics and entertainment marketing.
5. Studio Art & Technology (SAT FX): Custom manufacturing services working with art, set design, set construction and special effects departments to create virtually anything needed for productions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The MBS Group operates and manages film and television studios, providing comprehensive business solutions including operations, staffing, property management, and marketing/leasing services to studio owners. Through its MBS Equipment Company division, the company rents one of the world's largest inventories of lighting, grip, and expendables to production crews, and through ISS Props supplies over 1.5 million props for rental and custom fabrication. The company also provides studio design, development, and construction consulting, and develops proprietary production technology via its MBSi (MBS Innovations) think tank.

Product overview

The MBS Group is a comprehensive film and television studio platform providing end-to-end studio operating and production services through multiple integrated divisions. The core offering consists of (1) The MBS Group studio management and operations platform managing 30+ owned/operated studios and providing production services to 100+ partner locations across 8 countries, (2) the MBS Equipment Company providing lighting, grip and expendables as one of the world's largest equipment inventories, (3) ISS Props prop rental and manufacturing division, (4) Studio Art & Technology (SAT FX) custom manufacturing, and (5) MBSi/MBS Innovations think tank developing proprietary production technology including the Vulcan Automated Par 18 Head, AquaBat LED systems, TiLite T-600, LEDtrix, and LV Range LED drivers. The company also offers training programs through its Illumination Training initiative in partnership with Ghetto Film School. Together these products form a vertically integrated studio services ecosystem spanning facilities operations, equipment rental, props, set construction, technology innovation, and workforce development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ISS Props: World's largest prop house with locations in eleven U.S. cities and London, offering over 1.5 million props
• SAT FX (Studio Art & Technology)
• MBSi / MBS Innovations
• Vulcan Automated Par 18 Head
• AquaBat
• VFX 20:40 Inflatable VFX wall
• TiLite T-600
• LEDtrix

Products and services

• Studio Management and Operations End-to-end management and operation of film and television studio facilities on behalf of studio owners. Delivers business operations, staffing, property management, production protocols, marketing, and leasing services across 30+ MBS-operated studios and 100+ serviced locations worldwide.
• MBS Equipment Company Rental of lighting, grip, and expendables equipment for film and television productions, available from 120+ depots across North America and Europe, including proprietary MBSi technology products.
• ISS Props Prop rental and custom fabrication services for film and television productions, offering access to over 1.5 million props plus design, manufacturing, engineering, graphics, and entertainment marketing services.
• Studio Art & Technology (SAT FX) Custom manufacturing services for art, set design, set construction, and special effects departments, capable of constructing virtually anything required for film or television production.
• MBSi / MBS Innovations Think tank and incubator designing, developing, and delivering proprietary production technology innovations for lighting, visual effects, and other production processes for the film and television industry.
• Studio Design and Development Consulting End-to-end consulting for studio owners and developers covering ground-up design, development, construction, warehouse conversions, and operational planning for film and television studio facilities.
• Illumination Training Program Practical training program delivered in partnership with Ghetto Film School, providing below-the-line crew training in lighting and grip skills at MBS-operated studios globally.
• MBS Expendables E-commerce Online e-commerce storefront offering expendable production supplies including tapes, gels, electrical items, grip tools, and crew gear.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports 600+ sound stages globally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers32 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Film AlUlacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Film AlUla, Saudi Arabia's film commission, partnered with The MBS Group as operator of Manhattan Beach Studios and AlUla Studios to build a domestic film industry ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia raised its film production rebate to 60%, making it one of the world's highest. The partnership leverages MBS Group's studio management expertise and global network to develop film production capabilities in the region.
• Troy StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026BiggerStage signed a multiyear agreement with Troy Studios and MBS Group to develop a global unscripted television production hub at Troy Studios in County Limerick, Ireland. The investment includes facilities, training, and original IP development, supported by Ireland's new unscripted tax credit of up to 20 percent.
• Red Sea Film FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentioned alongside Film AlUla and MBS Group as part of the ecosystem building Saudi Arabia's domestic film industry. Works in conjunction with the 60% production rebate to attract local and international productions.
• Ghetto Film SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer MBS Illumination Training program to GFS students. Program provides practical lighting and grip workshops at MBS-operated studios including Radford Studio Center, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Silvercup Studios, and The Wharf Studios in London. Program bridges gap between learning about the industry and entering it through below-the-line crew training.
• London and Regional PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with London and Regional Properties for development of Cardington Studios and Pyramids Studios in the UK. London and Regional Properties serves as property partner while MBS Group serves as studio consultant and exclusive provider of equipment and services.
• Film Barking and Dagenham (Make It Here Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndowment to Film Barking and Dagenham's Make It Here program which creates pathways to education, job training, mentorships, employment placement and business opportunities linked to The Wharf and Eastbrook Studios. Program has supported 50+ productions, secured 22 paid placements, and engaged 200 students and teachers.
• Innovo Property GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovo Property Group developed Borden Studios in Long Island City and engaged The MBS Group for onsite management and studio leasing. MBS Equipment Company provides lighting and grip equipment and other services to Borden Studios tenants.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pinewood Group: Operator of Pinewood Studios (UK) and Shepperton Studios, one of the most direct competitors to MBS in managed studio operations, with similar business model of providing sound stages, production support, and equipment services to major film/TV clients.
• ARRI: Global manufacturer and rental provider of professional lighting, camera systems, and film equipment. Comparable to MBS's MBSi proprietary lighting technology and MBS Equipment Company's lighting/grip rental business in serving film and TV production.
• Sunset Las Palmas Studios: Los Angeles-based multi-stage studio operator serving the same Hollywood film and streaming customer base as MBS's Southern California properties.
• Cinespace Studios: Major operator of film and TV sound stages in Chicago, Toronto, and other markets with a comparable managed-studio rental model. MBS services several Cinespace facilities while also competing in adjacent markets.
• Panavision: One of the world's largest providers of camera, lighting, and lens rental services to film and television production. Directly comparable to MBS Equipment Company in terms of equipment rental scale, B2B production-services model, and blue-chip Hollywood client base.
• East End Studios: Independent operator of multi-stage studio campuses in the Los Angeles area (Glendale, Griffith Park), directly competing with MBS-owned lots for Hollywood tenant productions.

Broad incumbents

• Warner Bros. Discovery Studios: Owner-operator of multiple major studio lots (including Burbank) and a marquee MBS customer (HBO series such as Succession, The Sopranos at Silvercup/Kaufman Astoria). Comparable in scale of production activity but operates as a content owner, not a pure services platform.
• Sony Pictures Studios: Vertically integrated major studio operating owned production facilities in Culver City while also being an MBS customer; representative of incumbent studios that both consume and compete with MBS's managed services.
• Netflix Studios: Major in-house studio operator that is simultaneously one of MBS's largest customers and a potential long-term threat as a vertically integrated competitor building owned production capacity worldwide.

Others

• Blackmagic Design: Adjacent technology provider of professional cameras, switchers, and production hardware used in film/broadcast. Comparable as an equipment ecosystem peer to MBS's MBSi lighting/control innovations, though operating as a manufacturer rather than a rental/services platform.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/thembsgroupofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-mbs-group-llc
• Xx.com/the_mbsgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 The MBS Group