Lionsgate

Lionsgate
Name	Lionsgate
Type	Public
Industry	Motion picture and television production, distribution
Founded	1997
Founders	Frank Giustra
Headquarters	Santa Monica, California
Key people	Jon Feltheimer; Michael Burns (executive); Joe Drake (executive); Mitch Glazer
Products	Motion pictures, television series, streaming content
Revenue	(varies)
Website	(official website)

Lionsgate is a North American entertainment company known for producing and distributing films, television series, and streaming content. It is recognized for major franchises, independent film acquisitions, television production, and strategic mergers. The company has engaged with studios, networks, talent agencies, and streaming services across Hollywood, facilitating content for global markets.

History

Lionsgate was founded in 1997 by Frank Giustra following antecedents in Canadian film financing and merged early with companies linked to Shavick Entertainment, Trimark Pictures, and Artisan Entertainment. Early expansion involved acquisitions of Artisan Entertainment and partnerships with distributors such as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and 20th Century Fox. In the 2000s, leadership under Jon Feltheimer and Michael Burns (executive) oversaw growth through deals with Summit Entertainment, Roadside Attractions, and collaborations with producers like Gale Anne Hurd, Frank Marshall, and Debra Martin Chase. The acquisition of Summit Entertainment in 2012 brought franchises connected to The Twilight Saga and international box-office relationships with companies such as Universal Pictures and Sony Pictures Releasing. Later strategic moves involved mergers and acquisitions with Starz (company), engagements with Discovery, Inc., and content agreements with streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and regional platforms like Crave (streaming service).

Corporate affairs and governance

Corporate governance has featured executives from media and finance, including Jon Feltheimer and board members with ties to CBS Corporation, Viacom, and Discovery, Inc. alumni. The company has navigated investor relations with stakeholders such as Goldman Sachs, Silver Lake Partners, and institutional investors like The Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Regulatory and shareholder matters intersected with filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission and oversight influenced by advisors from firms like Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and PwC. Corporate offices operate alongside production hubs in regions connected to incentives from jurisdictions like British Columbia, Georgia (U.S. state), and Louisiana (state), interacting with film commissions such as Screen Nova Scotia and incentive programs from FilmOntario and FilmLA.

Film and television production divisions

Production divisions encompass units that developed films and series akin to labels used by Summit Entertainment, Roadside Attractions, and specialized teams collaborating with showrunners from Shonda Rhimes, Ryan Murphy, and David E. Kelley. Television production has included partnerships with networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox Broadcasting Company, The CW, Showtime (TV network), and cable channels like TNT (American TV network) and TBS (TV network). The studio has produced series for streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and international broadcasters including BBC and CBC Television.

Distribution and streaming platforms

Distribution operations have worked with theatrical distributors including AMC Theatres, Cinemark, Regal Cinemas, and international chains such as Vue Cinemas and Cineworld. Home entertainment and digital distribution involved partners like Netflix, Amazon Studios, Vudu, iTunes (service), and television syndication through Syndication deals with broadcast groups such as Sinclair Broadcast Group and Gray Television. The acquisition of Starz (company) tied the company to premium streaming offerings and licensing windows competing with services like HBO Max, Paramount+, Peacock (streaming service), and live-television distributors including Dish Network and DirecTV.

Notable releases and franchises

Notable film franchises and releases include properties analogous to those from Summit Entertainment and partnerships that delivered series comparable to The Hunger Games (film series), John Wick, Saw (franchise), and The Expendables—with distribution and production relationships involving filmmakers such as Francis Lawrence, Chad Stahelski, James Wan, and Sylvester Stallone. The studio has also released award-recognized films that participated in festivals like Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival, involving talent such as Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep, and directors like David O. Russell and Gore Verbinski. Television hits tied to the company span genres and include collaborations with creators connected to Nick Wauters, Ryan Murphy, and series awarded by institutions such as the Emmy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.

Business strategy and acquisitions

Strategic growth emphasized vertical integration, acquiring content libraries, and expanding into subscription video-on-demand through moves similar to the purchase of Starz (company). The company pursued catalog acquisitions from entities like MGM (company), Carolco Pictures, and independent distributors comparable to Artisan Entertainment. Financing strategies involved debt and equity deals with lenders such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and private equity firms including Guggenheim Partners and Providence Equity Partners. International expansion used joint ventures with companies like Toho (company), StudioCanal, Pathé, and regional distributors including Studio 8 and Entertainment One.

Controversies and legal issues

Legal matters have included disputes over distribution rights, contract litigation with talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Endeavor, and regulatory scrutiny tied to mergers reviewed by bodies like the United States Department of Justice and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. High-profile lawsuits involved claims similar to copyright and breach-of-contract cases brought in courts including the United States District Court for the Central District of California and arbitration panels involving firms like American Arbitration Association. Controversies touched on labor relations during strikes involving unions such as SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America, as well as debates on content licensing with streaming platforms including Netflix and Amazon Studios.

Category:Film production companies of the United States Category:Television production companies of the United States