What Happened to 101 Studios?
101 Studios is a global entertainment company founded in 2019 by former Weinstein Company executives David Glasser and David Hutkin, known for producing the highly successful 'Yellowstone' franchise and other creator-driven content. The studio has rapidly expanded its portfolio across film, television, and podcasts, venturing into new areas like sports, music, and food-focused programming, while navigating legal challenges and strategic partnerships to solidify its position in the evolving media landscape. As of late 2026, it continues to be a prolific producer with a focus on diverse content and distribution strategies.
Quick Answer
101 Studios, founded in 2019 by David Glasser and David Hutkin, quickly rose to prominence as the production powerhouse behind Taylor Sheridan's 'Yellowstone' universe, including hits like '1883' and 'Tulsa King'. The company has aggressively diversified its content, launching Sports Illustrated Studios, expanding into music with 101 Music in 2026, and most recently, partnering with Yes Chef Group in September 2026 to create Yes Chef Studios for food-related programming. Despite facing some legal disputes involving its CEO, 101 Studios remains a significant player in entertainment, actively developing and distributing a wide range of film and television projects.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
101 Studios Launched
David Glasser and David Hutkin, former executives from The Weinstein Company, officially launch 101 Studios with over $300 million in financial backing, aiming to acquire, develop, and produce films and TV series.
Yellowstone Season 2 Airs, Showcasing 101 Studios
The second season of 'Yellowstone,' a key early project for 101 Studios, airs on Paramount Network, solidifying the studio's involvement in the hit series.
Sports Illustrated Studios Joint Venture
101 Studios enters a joint venture with Sports Illustrated to launch Sports Illustrated Studios, a content platform based on the magazine's extensive archives.
CEO David Glasser Faces Debt Lawsuit
CEO David Glasser is ordered by a Los Angeles court to pay over $1.19 million to an Icelandic venture capitalist, Gunnlaugur Petur Erlendsson, for a debt default, with the potential forfeiture of his shares in 101 Studios.
1883 Premieres on Paramount+
The 'Yellowstone' prequel '1883,' produced by 101 Studios, premieres on Paramount+, further expanding the successful Taylor Sheridan universe.
Tulsa King Premieres on Paramount+
Another Taylor Sheridan series, 'Tulsa King,' starring Sylvester Stallone and produced by 101 Studios, debuts on Paramount+, becoming one of the service's most-watched series.
Co-founders Launch WonderHill Studios
101 Studios co-founders Bob Yari and Marvin Peart launch a new production and distribution company, WonderHill Studios, indicating diversification of their ventures.
CEO Glasser Repays $1.5M Loan After Lawsuit
David Glasser is sued by former collaborator Bob Yari for a $1.5 million personal loan from January 2022, but the debt is reportedly paid in full the day after media inquiries.
FilmNation International Sales Pact
101 Studios strikes an exclusive long-term deal with FilmNation to handle international sales for its distribution pipeline, with plans for 6-8 US theatrical releases annually starting in 2026.
Expands into Music with Jon Borris Appointment
Jon Borris is named Head of Music for 101 Studios, signaling the company's expansion into the music industry with the launch of 101 Music and Country Road Records.
Production Begins on Final Season of Mayor of Kingstown
Production commences on the fifth and final season of the Paramount+ drama series 'Mayor of Kingstown,' starring Jeremy Renner and produced by 101 Studios.
Partners on SGS Studios Production Campus
101 Studios partners with Taylor Sheridan and Paramount on SGS Studios, a new 450,000-square-foot film and television production campus in Fort Worth, Texas.
Sued for Copyright Infringement over Yellowstone
Writer Lauren Salkin files a federal copyright lawsuit against Taylor Sheridan, Paramount, and 101 Studios, alleging 'Yellowstone' was based on her earlier pitch.
Launches Yes Chef Studios with $25M Investment
101 Studios partners with Yes Chef Group, investing $25 million to launch Yes Chef Studios, a new venture focused on creating scripted and unscripted content about food, culture, and travel.
Peter Sarsgaard Joins 'Laird' Production
Volpi Cup winner Peter Sarsgaard joins the cast of 'Laird,' a Paramount+ Scottish Highland drama produced by Paramount Television Studios and 101 Studios.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
101 Studios was launched on January 22, 2019, by David Glasser, former President and COO of The Weinstein Company, and David Hutkin, with significant financial backing from investor Ron Burkle and others, reportedly securing over $300 million for content acquisition, development, and production. The company quickly established itself as a major force in television, particularly through its collaboration with acclaimed writer and director Taylor Sheridan. Its flagship success, the Western drama 'Yellowstone,' became a massive hit for Paramount Network, leading to the expansion of a sprawling 'Yellowstone' universe that includes popular prequels like '1883' and '1923,' and spin-offs such as 'Mayor of Kingstown' and 'Tulsa King' for Paramount+.
The studio's strategy has been to empower creator-driven storytelling, attracting high-caliber talent and producing a diverse slate of content. Beyond the Sheridan universe, 101 Studios has produced films like 'The Current War: Director's Cut,' 'Burden,' and 'The War With Grandpa.' In 2020, it also launched Sports Illustrated Studios, a joint venture to develop content based on the iconic sports magazine's archives.
However, 101 Studios and its leadership have not been without challenges. In April 2021, CEO David Glasser was ordered to pay over $1.19 million to an Icelandic venture capitalist due to a debt default, with the possibility of forfeiting his shares in 101 Studios. More recently, in July 2025, Glasser was sued by former collaborator Bob Yari for an unpaid personal loan of $1.5 million, though the debt was reportedly repaid swiftly after media inquiries. In August 2026, 101 Studios, along with Taylor Sheridan and Paramount, faced a federal copyright lawsuit from writer Lauren Salkin, who alleged that 'Yellowstone' was built from her rejected pitch.
Despite these legal entanglements, 101 Studios has continued its aggressive expansion. In November 2025, it struck an exclusive long-term deal with FilmNation to handle international sales for a new distribution pipeline, planning six to eight US theatrical releases annually starting in 2026. The company further diversified in February 2026 by appointing Jon Borris as Head of Music, signaling its entry into the music industry with the launch of 101 Music and Country Road Records. May 2026 saw a significant partnership with Taylor Sheridan and Paramount to establish SGS Studios, a massive 450,000-square-foot production campus in Fort Worth, Texas. Most recently, on September 23, 2026, 101 Studios announced a $25 million partnership with Yes Chef Group to launch Yes Chef Studios, focusing on scripted and unscripted content related to food, culture, and travel. This ongoing expansion into diverse content verticals and strategic partnerships demonstrates 101 Studios' commitment to growth and adaptability in the competitive entertainment industry.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if 101 Studios made different choices?