Amazon.com’s acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has turned fresh attention from investors to the fates of independent Hollywood studios that would be a catch for larger streaming players. In particular, it has put a spotlight on Lionsgate Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment, which claim a trove of acclaimed movies and beloved characters, much like MGM. And crucially, they might find it similarly tough to go it alone as tech giants move aggressively to conquer the entertainment industry.
CBS Corp. has expressed interest in acquiring cable channel Starz from Lionsgate Entertainment, according to four people familiar with the situation. CBS has been looking at the acquisition as a possible complement to Viacom, which CBS also is considering purchasing, said three of the people.
Hasbro Inc, the maker of games ranging from Monopoly to foam Nerf balls, has ended talks to acquire U.S. movie studio and entertainment company Lionsgate Entertainment, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The deal would have given Hasbro a direct pipeline into Hollywood with more movies and TV shows tied to its toy brands.
Lionsgate Earnings Jump On Television Growth
Exclusives
Hulu has ordered 10 episodes of a new scripted supernatural comedy called Deadbeat from Lionsgate, with all episodes directed and exec produced by TV producing vet Troy Miller (credits include Netflix’s reboot of Arrested Development, Brand X With Russell Brand and others).
CBS Corp. is adding a domestic basic cable network to its portfolio. It is nearing a deal to acquire JP Morgan’s One Equity Partners’ interest in TV Guide, the company that encompasses the TV Guide Network, recently rebranded as TVGN, and TVGuide.com. With the deal, which could close as early as next week, CBS will become a 50-50 partner with TV Guide co-owner Lionsgate Entertainment
Independent studio Lionsgate and Mexico’s programming powerhouse Grupo Televisa are expanding their budding partnership with a new venture that aims to create television shows for English-language audiences.
TV Guide Network Said To Be On The Block
Fresh off its deal to acquire Twilight studio Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate Entertainment is now prepping a sale of its TV Guide Network. Lionsgate has hired a boutique investment bank to shop the cable channel and is already talking to several private-equity firms, according to one source.
Lionsgate Entertainment is the latest media company looking to cash in on investors’ seemingly insatiable desire for the next big tech play. It is considering a spin-off of several digital assets, including its men-focused video ad network, Break Media. The potential spin-off could also house Lionsgate’s share of pay-TV service Epix, its TV Guide and TVGuide.com assets and FearNet, a broadband and video-on-demand venture in the horror genre.
