There’s been rumors that the company that currently owns OnlyFans, Fenix International Ltd, is taking bids to purchase the subscription-based platform for up to $8 billion.
Which is exactly what Paramount, one of the last major Hollywood studios, is valued at and rumored to be sold for to Skydance.
While Paramount has been creating film and television for decades, OnlyFans has only been around for 9 years. Paramount is known for its portfolio of content from CBS, Showtime, and other timeless films, OnlyFans is known for Bonnie Blue (until recently when she was kicked off the platform), Lily Phillips, and Denise Richards.
Yet it seems you can buy either property for a mere $8 billion.
Which is worth more? That’s what Hollywood is trying to figure out, especially those in the private equity space. Forest Road, the firm that is rumored to be in the lead to purchase OnlyFans and is led by Zachary Tarica, reportedly manages $127 million in assets. And this wouldn’t be its first foray into the production arena. They have backed films like Guy Nattiv’s “Skin” and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Kindergarten Teacher” yet many aren’t familiar with the company or their output. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of the purchase.
According to an SEC filing, Forest Road “has expanded its specialty finance platform across blockchain, digital assets, technology, entertainment, real estate, renewable energy tax credit lending, film tax credit administration, and tax credit brokerage.”
So why would a company like that be interested in purchasing a platform like OnlyFans? Money, of course.
The platform has grown exponentially in recent years, making 20% from every transaction between a subscriber and a creator. And while most creators do make explicit content, the platform has focused on reaching out to other content creators who are strictly PG, especially those in the comedy and sports space.
Whitney Cummings is one of their most high-profile comedians on the platform and she debuted a special there. The platform also has a grassroots comedy show called “LMAOF,” which features up-and-coming comedians whose humor might be a little too X-rated for other channels.
Athletes are also flocking to the platform, including Olympians, outdoor athletes, racecar drivers and more. The platform even has a blog dedicated to sports, most recently featuring free OFTV workouts.
OFTV is another OnlyFans venture, and is a separate streaming platform that offers free, “safe-for-work” videos. OFTV videos can be accessed both on the OnlyFans platform and through the dedicated OFTV website, and you can even catch their latest show, Smash City, which features Australian tennis pro Nick Kyrgios.
Considering OnlyFans’ attempts to get into television shows, perhaps it isn’t that different from Paramount after all.