Norman Lear acquired Channels magazine in 1985, prior to the formation of Act III.
The title had been founded as a non-profit publication by well-known television industry writer and commentator Les Brown (1929-2013).
[3] Channels was a so-called "controlled circulation" publication, meaning that it was distributed free of charge to a select audience of media and entertainment specialists to which the advertising could be precisely targeted.
The magazine was acquired from its management/owners Robert C. Gardner, President; David C. Bentley, Publisher; and Venture lending Associates in October 1986.
[5] Bentley and Gardner had acquired the magazine in 1982 from the founder Norman R. Glenn for a reported $7 million.
[6] The title was eventually sold by Act III to Affiliated Publications (owners of The Boston Globe) in October 1990.
The Mix group was sold to Primedia in 1990 which subsequently spun them off as part of Prism Business Media in 2005.