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How Much Is Yellowstone Worth?

Billionaire investor Ron Burkle.
Billionaire investor Ron Burkle. Photo: Eugene Gologursky/WireImage for Niche Media, LLC

That’s a good question, right? It’s linear TV’s No. 1 series, despite airing on Paramount Network, an outlet that few could name or find. And it’s spawned the hit streaming spinoffs 1883 and 1923, with more on the way. It’s not Law & Order or even NCIS-valuable, at least not yet. But on Tuesday, an L.A. judge is scheduled to hold a key hearing in an under-the-radar legal fight that could expose the Yellowstone windfall, as well as provide new insights into the machinations of various executives after the downfall of Harvey Weinstein.  

This all stems from a fraud and breach of contract case brought back in 2018 by investor Ron Burkle against Lantern Capital Partners, the Texas buyout shop that took the Weinstein Co. assets out of bankruptcy during that chaotic period after Harvey was accused of multiple rapes. Burkle, a FOH (Friend of Harvey), was a big TWC investor, so he thought his Yucaipa shingle had the inside track on the deal. Then Lantern appeared interested, so Burkle allegedly considered a partnership. But the New York A.G. threatened to block any deal, TWC filed for bankruptcy, and Lantern, allegedly using confidential information it obtained from Yucaipa, acquired TWC’s assets for $289 million and cut Burkle out.