Playhouse Studios acquires Halo Post assets to form unified London division

This consolidation addresses the increasing demand for high-end HDR and spatial audio mastering as streaming platforms mandate Dolby Vision and Atmos for original commissions. By merging two established Soho houses, Playhouse Studios creates a scaled infrastructure capable of handling high-bitrate NVMe workflows that independent facilities often struggle to capitalize. In the broader ecosystem, this move signals a shift toward 'full-stack' production groups that pair content financing with technical delivery to capture more margin during production resets. Watch for whether this integrated model attracts more streamer-led unscripted projects, as technical requirements for non-fiction content continue to align with theatrical standards.

The acquisition occurs amid a period of intense restructuring in the UK post-production sector. According to reports from Broadcast and The Talent Manager in July 2026, the Halo Post assets were available following the administration of parent company Mojo Bridge (formerly part of the Halo Group via Envy Post Production) in late 2025. This deal effectively rescues a legacy facility on Soho’s Noel Street, which is currently undergoing a full refurbishment to modernize its network and fiber infrastructure. Focus Capital Partners Ireland, which advised Playhouse, noted the group is positioning itself to scale operations across the UK and Europe through similar distressed asset acquisitions and capital raises.

Broadly, the European audiovisual sector is navigating significant shifts in content financing. Per the European Audiovisual Observatory’s Key Trends 2026 report, global streaming platforms now account for 24% of all original content spending in Europe, a tripling from 8% in 2020. This influx of capital from major US-based streamers has fundamentally raised the technical ceiling for regional post-production houses, necessitating investments in ST 2110 IP-based workflows and high-capacity storage to meet global delivery specifications.

Furthermore, according to Digital TV Europe (January 2026), the UK market is seeing a 'do more with less' mindset where technical stability and fast-turnaround capabilities are prioritized over sheer scale. The emergence of the new Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (AVEC) in the UK has also introduced a specific visual effects uplift, making mid-sized, integrated firms like Playhouse Post more competitive for international co-productions that require both creative finishing and tax-compliant financial structures.