esk

What esk does

Esk (legal entity Esk Film Services Ltd.) is a B2B entertainment technology company founded in 2022 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company licenses premium intellectual property from blue-chip rights holders — including Netflix, Paramount, BAFTA, Blizzard Entertainment, and the BBC — and transforms that IP into immersive live entertainment formats such as film-in-concert productions, documentary-in-concert events, video game music concerts, and original theatrical shows. These productions are delivered through a network of partner venues, promoters, and orchestras across more than 150 cities in 34 countries and 5 continents, with reported cumulative volume of 550+ shows and 1M+ audience attendance since launch.

Esk's product portfolio spans multiple distinct formats — film-in-concert (Sholay In Concert, Top Gun: Maverick In Concert), documentary-in-concert (Netflix's Life on Our Planet in Concert, Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough), gaming music concerts (World of Warcraft 20 Years of Music, BAFTA's Games in Concert), and family theatrical productions (Quentin Blake's Mrs Armitage Live) — together with three service lines: Licensing & Distribution, Technical & Production, and Content Development. Underpinning delivery is a proprietary media control system combining bespoke hardware and software, built in-house to deliver reliable AV playback and screen-to-live synchronisation after repeated failures with incumbent industry tools. Visuals for several productions are created using Unreal Engine on purpose-built volume stages.

The business model is enterprise B2B, monetising through licensing fees, production fees, and professional services rendered to venues, promoters, and rights holders. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per production. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise relationships (notably Royal Albert Hall, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, Silverback Films) with IP licensing arrangements (Netflix, Paramount, BAFTA, Skydance, Blizzard) and venue/promoter partnerships. The company is venture-backed, having raised £2.6 million in May 2026 led by Maven Capital Partners with participation from the British Business Bank's Investment Fund for Scotland, with stated use of funds to scale globally, invest in proprietary technology, and expand production capabilities.

Name

esk

Legal name

Esk Film Services Ltd.

Website

https://esk.live

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Esk licenses premium entertainment IP from Netflix, Paramount, BAFTA, and other rights holders, transforming it into live concert and theatrical productions delivered through partner venues across 34 countries, supported by a proprietary media control system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Royalty, Reporting & Revenue Share Administration (MPADALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Program Format Licensing (Scripted & Unscripted) (MPABANAA), Royalty Accounting & Payment Services (Statements, Audits, Payee Management) (MPAIABAL)

Keywords

• Live entertainment production
• Film in concert
• Media control systems
• IP licensing services
• Immersive event technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Licensing & Production Services: Esk licenses iconic IP from rights holders and transforms it into live entertainment formats, providing services to promoters and venue operators internationally. Revenue comes from licensing fees, production fees, and services rendered to venues and promoters.
2. Technical & Production Services: Comprehensive technical support for partner venues and promoters including on-site support, creative supervisors, technical directors, digital assets delivery, and technical systems specification for media playback, AV, and screen-to-live synchronisation.
3. Content Development: Studio develops new live entertainment productions, transforming popular screen-based content into immersive live formats with full creative oversight including script, score, choreography, design, music direction, staging, and multimedia.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Esk licenses iconic entertainment IP from rights holders (Netflix, Paramount, BAFTA, BBC, Blizzard) and transforms it into live concert and theatrical experiences for delivery through partner venues and promoters worldwide. The company provides end-to-end services including licensing & distribution, technical & production support, and content development, underpinned by a proprietary media control system that ensures reliable AV playback and screen-to-live synchronisation in large international venues.

Product overview

Esk is a global entertainment technology company that operates a multi-product portfolio of live entertainment experiences, built around a core of licensed IP-driven concert and theatrical productions, supported by proprietary technology and end-to-end production services. The product portfolio spans multiple distinct formats — film-in-concert experiences (Sholay In Concert, Top Gun: Maverick In Concert), documentary-in-concert events (Netflix's Life on Our Planet in Concert, Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough, Parenthood in Concert), video game music concerts (World of Warcraft®: 20 Years of Music, BAFTA's Games in Concert), spoken-word live events (Wild Isles Live, The WOW Show, The Making of Our Planet Live), and original theatrical productions (Quentin Blake's Mrs Armitage Live). These productions are delivered through three service lines: Licensing & Distribution (IP partnerships), Technical & Production (on-site technical and production support), and Content Development (studio development of new productions). A proprietary media control system combining bespoke hardware and software underpins the technical delivery of these experiences, providing reliable AV playback and screen-to-live synchronisation for large-scale venues. Founded in 2022, Esk has delivered 550+ shows across 34 countries and 5 continents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Licensing & Distribution Service line managing the full partnership process with IP rights holders including brand/creative guidelines, licensing agreements, and content adaptation for live performance distribution worldwide. Targets rights holders, venues, and promoters seeking to bring culturally significant content to live audiences.
• Technical & Production Comprehensive technical support for partner venues and promoters including on-site creative supervisors, technical directors, digital asset delivery, AV systems, and screen-to-live synchronisation. Esk provides hand-picked technical staff worldwide to ensure reliable delivery of media-heavy live events.
• Content Development Studio service developing new live entertainment productions, transforming screen-based content into immersive live formats with full creative oversight including script, score, choreography, design, music direction, staging, and multimedia — delivered as a scalable production package.
• Sholay In Concert Film-in-concert experience screening the restored 4K 'Sholay: The Final Cut' with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing R.D. Burman's score live to screen. Licensed for theatrical presentation at international venues.
• World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music Live orchestral concert experience featuring two hours of iconic World of Warcraft score performed live, accompanied by in-game visual projections, in official partnership with Helvepic and Blizzard Entertainment.
• Top Gun: Maverick In Concert Large-scale live concert event combining a full screening of the feature film with a live orchestral performance of its award-winning score, adapted for tour-ready, scalable delivery across international markets. Licensed from Paramount/Skydance.
• BAFTA's Games in Concert Live orchestral concert celebrating 20 years of BAFTA Games Awards music, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra and London Voices with dynamic game visuals and gameplay sequences created using Unreal Engine, conducted by Austin Wintory.
• Quentin Blake's Mrs Armitage Live Musical stage adaptation of the BBC animated series 'Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures', blending puppetry, live music, and dynamic stagecraft for family audiences. Produced by Esk in association with Eagle Eye Drama and Little Angel Theatre.
• Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough Large-scale concert experience combining a full screening of the acclaimed documentary with a live symphonic performance of Steven Price's Academy Award-winning score, translated for live performance in concert halls and large venues.
• Netflix's Life on Our Planet in Concert Large-scale concert experience combining the Netflix documentary series with a live orchestral performance of Lorne Balfe's score, performed by leading orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Licensed from Netflix.
• Parenthood in Concert Live concert combining film excerpts from the award-winning natural history series with a live orchestral performance of Tom Howe's original score, narrated by Nick Mohammed.
• The Making of Our Planet Live Live lecture and screening experience combining behind-the-scenes footage from the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series with live presentations from the creative team.
• Wild Isles Live Live lecture and screening experience bringing the acclaimed BBC series to the stage through curated highlights, never-before-seen footage, and expert commentary from documentary producer Alastair Fothergill.
• The WOW Show Live staged talk show combining curated discussions, guest presentations, and audience interaction, adapted from the acclaimed WOW podcast series.
• Proprietary Media Control System Bespoke in-house media control system combining hardware and software to deliver reliable, high-quality audio-visual playback and synchronisation for live entertainment in medium to large venues internationally. Developed in response to failures with existing industry solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 550+ shows delivered worldwide since 2022 launch
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Sippy FilmsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Co-producing Sholay In Concert - Films in Concert world premiere at Royal Albert Hall on October 10, featuring the restored 4K version of Sholay: The Final Cut.
• Royal Albert HallflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Films in Concert series. Hosted RRR in Concert and will host Sholay In Concert world premiere and other Films in Concert events.
• NetflixcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing IP including Life on Our Planet for live concert formats. Multiple productions including Life on Our Planet In Concert.
• ParamountcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing IP including Top Gun for live concert formats. Production partner for Top Gun: Maverick In Concert.
• BAFTAcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing IP for BAFTA Games in Concert - landmark live concert celebrating 20 years of BAFTA Games Awards music.
• Royal Philharmonic Concert OrchestraflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming live orchestral scores for Films in Concert events, including Sholay and RRR at Royal Albert Hall.
• Silverback Films LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for documentary concert adaptations including Ocean in Concert and Life on Our Planet In Concert.
• SkydancecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for Top Gun: Maverick In Concert production.
• Blizzard EntertainmentflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOfficial partnership for World of Warcraft 20 Years of Music live concert tour, performing the legendary score live.
• HelvepicflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial partner in partnership with Blizzard Entertainment for World of Warcraft 20 Years of Music live concert tour.
• Eagle Eye DramacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in association for Mrs Armitage On Wheels - Live on Stage production.
• Little Angel TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in association for Mrs Armitage On Wheels - Live on Stage production. Samantha Lane, Artistic Director, directed the production.
• Roast ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in association for Mrs Armitage On Wheels - Live on Stage production.
• Nibbs EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with BAFTA and Esk to adapt BAFTA's Games in Concert.
• BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Wild Isles Live production, bringing the acclaimed BBC series to the stage.
• National TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Wild Isles Live production.
• RSPBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Wild Isles Live production.
• WWFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Wild Isles Live production.
• All3 MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough.
• Altitude FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough.
• Blue Marine FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough.
• National GeographiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough.
• Open Planet StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Ocean in Concert with David Attenborough.
• Steven PricecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComposer of the Academy Award-winning score for Ocean documentary, performed live in concert.
• The Corporation for the Hall of the Arts and the SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for Top Gun: Maverick In Concert.
• BBC Children'scoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPartner for Mrs Armitage On Wheels production, based on the BBC animated series.
• BBC Concert OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming orchestra for BAFTA's Games in Concert production.
• London VoicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChoir performing for BAFTA's Games in Concert production.

Scale indicators8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CineConcerts: CineConcerts is a US-based film-in-concert producer and licensor that creates, produces, and tours live-to-picture concert experiences of major motion pictures, competing directly with Esk's core Films in Concert offerings.
• TCG Entertainment: TCG Entertainment produces film-in-concert experiences and other live entertainment events for major studios, competing with Esk for rights holder relationships and venue touring partnerships.
• RWS Entertainment Group: RWS Entertainment Group is a live event production company providing end-to-end production, technical, and creative services for theatrical and immersive live experiences comparable to Esk's content development and technical services.
• Round Room Live: Round Room Live produces and tours live entertainment experiences based on major IP (including film, TV and gaming properties), competing with Esk for premium IP licensing opportunities and venue partnerships.

Others

• Production Resource Group (PRG): PRG is one of the world's largest providers of entertainment and event production technology and services, supplying AV, lighting, and technical infrastructure to live events. It is an enabler/adjacent player to Esk's proprietary media control and production stack.
• Solotech: Solotech is a major international provider of AV, lighting, and production technology for live events including concerts and touring productions, comparable to Esk on the technical delivery side but without the IP licensing layer.

Broad incumbents

• IMG Artists: IMG Artists is a global arts and entertainment management company where Esk's CEO began his career. It operates broadly across artist management, live events, and licensing with much larger scale than Esk.
• AEG Presents: AEG Presents is a major global live entertainment promoter and venue operator with significant scale in concerts and touring. It competes for venue dates and promoter relationships that Esk relies on for touring productions.
• Live Nation Entertainment: Live Nation is the world's largest live entertainment company, operating venue networks, promotion, and ticketing globally. It overlaps with Esk at the venue/promoter layer but is far broader than film-in-concert specialty.
• Feld Entertainment: Feld Entertainment produces and tours large-scale live family entertainment and arena shows globally, comparable in touring scale and production complexity but with a different content base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/esklive
• Instagraminstagram.com/esk.live

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 esk