This partnership represents a powerful alignment of two proven brands in the faith-and-family entertainment space, combining Scott's industry expertise with the Robertsons' massive audience reach and authentic storytelling voice.
Insiders note that Pure Flix has struggled to regain momentum since its streaming pivot, and the Robertsons have been quietly seeking new ventures beyond their A&E legacy—meaning both parties may need this deal more than initial announcements suggest.
Variety reported on July 8, 2026 that EKKL Entertainment is named for the Greek word ekklesia, meaning 'a gathering of people brought together.' The company will focus on faith-and-family content. Michael Scott previously founded Pure Flix, while Willie and Korie Robertson starred in Duck Dynasty from 2012-2017.
When you combine a streaming platform founder who knows the ins and outs of faith-based entertainment with reality TV royalty known for their unfiltered conservative commentary, you're either building an empire or laying groundwork for the next cultural flashpoint. Watch this space.
Michael Scott, the man who built Pure Flix into the go-to destination for Christian cinema, has found his new co-stars—and they're wearing camo. According to a Variety exclusive published July 8, 2026, Scott has partnered with Duck Dynasty's Willie and Korie Robertson to launch EKKL Entertainment, a fresh faith-and-family entertainment platform that officially hits the scene this week. The company name itself is a statement of intent: EKKL (pronounced EK-UHL) takes its moniker from the Greek word "ekklesia," which the founders describe as meaning "a gathering of people brought together." It's the kind of spiritual branding that's become standard in this corner of the entertainment industry, where faith isn't just an ingredient—it's the entire recipe.
Scott brings his Pure Flix pedigree and years of navigating Hollywood's complicated relationship with evangelical audiences, while the Robertsons bring something money can't buy: authenticity among conservative viewers who trust them implicitly. The timing here is worth examining. Duck Dynasty dominated A&E ratings from 2012 through its initial run, but the family has been relatively quiet on major entertainment projects since the show concluded its original run in 2017.
Willie Robertson has stayed visible through various business ventures and podcast appearances, but this marks one of their most significant returns to mainstream content creation. For Scott, Pure Flix has undergone significant transitions as streaming reshaped the faith-based film market, making strategic partnerships increasingly attractive for maintaining audience share. The entertainment landscape for conservative-leaning family content has grown increasingly crowded in recent years, with competitors like Kendrick Brothers' Lionsgate collaborations and various streaming exclusives vying for the same devoted demographic.
What EKKL offers that pure financial backing can't buy is the Robertsons' direct-to-fan relationships—these are people who've spent years building trust with millions of households who view them as genuine rather than manufactured. That kind of audience loyalty is precisely what makes this partnership interesting to industry watchers, regardless of one's personal views on their content philosophy. Neither party has disclosed specific launch titles or production timelines, but the announcement signals clear ambitions beyond a simple side project. With both Scott's industry connections and the Robertsons' built-in audience, EKKL Entertainment enters the market with advantages many startups would envy—though converting that potential into sustainable success remains the real test waiting ahead.
