Lionsgate

What Lionsgate does

Lionsgate is a publicly traded entertainment company (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B; founded 1986, headquartered in Santa Monica, CA) that produces and distributes theatrical films, premium television, and streaming content. Its portfolio is anchored by globally recognized franchises including Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, Twilight, Rambo, and Blair Witch, and was significantly expanded by the December 2023 acquisition of eOne from Hasbro for $375 million. The studio's 2026 box office was led by Michael (highest-grossing music biopic ever at ~$898–$912M worldwide) and The Housemaid ($400M+ on a $35M budget), with a multi-year franchise pipeline extending through 2027–2028. Following the 2025 spin-off of Starz, Lionsgate operates a vertically integrated distribution stack spanning theatrical exhibition, owned streaming (Starz prior to spin), FAST channels ad-served exclusively by FreeWheel, the MovieSphereGold digital network (38M+ US homes via LTN), home entertainment, and international TV licensing. AI is deployed across 80% of the workforce through Copilot, ChatGPT Enterprise, and Snowflake, and a custom generative video model is being trained with Runway on the studio's content library. Lionsgate also extends franchises into AAA video games (John Wick with Saber Interactive), location-based experiences (Lionsgate World), podcasts (Lionsgate Sound), and Roblox IP licensing.

Lionsgate's revenue model combines multiple streams: theatrical distribution (transaction-based, including through Universal for international), subscription streaming via the spun-off Starz, advertising revenue from FAST channels and MovieSphereGold, home entertainment transactions (digital rental/purchase and physical media), and television production/licensing to networks and platforms. The studio distributes globally across North America, Canada, India/Southeast Asia (via the divested Lionsgate Play), Europe (UK, Germany, France), Latin America, the Middle East, and East Asia. Recent corporate actions reflect a deliberate strategic refocus: the Starz spin-off separates streaming from studios, the Lionsgate Play India divestiture exits direct international streaming operations, and the $125M Newark studio buildout (groundbreaking December 2025) expands owned production capacity. Steven Mnuchin's Liberty Strategic Capital acquired a 5.5% stake in August 2023 for ~$30.8M, with Mnuchin subsequently joining the board.

Name

Lionsgate

Legal name

Lions Gate Entertainment Inc.

Website

https://lionsgate.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Lionsgate is a publicly traded entertainment studio (NYSE: LGF) producing and distributing theatrical films, premium television, and streaming content across globally recognized franchises (Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, Twilight), serving global consumer audiences through theatrical, streaming, FAST, and home entertainment channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Television Production and Distribution

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Subscription Fan Membership Platforms (Paid Communities) (MPACAFAA), Subscription, Bundling & Membership Distribution (Game Pass-like, Humble-like) (MPAFABAI)

Keywords

• Film production
• Television distribution
• Streaming platform
• Content licensing
• Home entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Distribution: Major film releases distributed theatrically worldwide including franchises like Hunger Games, John Wick, and new releases like Michael and The Housemaid
2. STARZ Streaming Platform: Owned streaming platform with original content and Lionsgate library offering subscription-based access
3. FAST Channels: Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV channels monetized through advertising inventory managed via FreeWheel partnership
4. Home Entertainment: Digital rentals, purchases, DVD/Blu-ray sales including premium formats like 4K Ultra HD
5. TV Production & Licensing: Television production and content licensing to networks, streaming platforms, and international buyers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lionsgate is a diversified entertainment company that develops, produces, and distributes theatrical films and television programming across major franchises (Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, Blair Witch, Rambo, The Housemaid, Michael). The company monetizes its 20,000+ title content library through its owned STARZ subscription streaming platform, FreeWheel-powered FAST channels, theatrical releases, home entertainment (digital rental/purchase and physical media), TV production licensing to networks, location-based entertainment, video games, and podcasts.

Product overview

Lionsgate is a publicly traded entertainment company operating as a diversified media conglomerate with a multi-platform portfolio. Its core offerings include theatrical film production and distribution (spanning franchises like The Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw, The Blair Witch, and the Michael Jackson biopic), television production and distribution through Lionsgate Television, and the premium streaming platform STARZ. The company extends its IP through Lionsgate Games (AAA video game development including John Wick and Saw), Lionsgate Experiences (location-based attractions), Lionsgate FAST Channels (ad-supported streaming monetized via FreeWheel), and MovieSphereGold (an all-movie digital network distributed through LTN). Lionsgate Sound produces original podcasts, and Lionsgate Canada handles the company's Canadian operations including co-productions with Bell Media. The company's content library of over 20,000 titles was significantly expanded through the December 2023 acquisition of Hasbro's eOne entertainment for $375 million. Lionsgate has also deployed AI across 80% of its workforce through internal tools and a partnership with Runway to train a customized model on its film library.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Starz: Premium streaming platform featuring original programming and Lionsgate film/TV library
• Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
• Lionsgate Television

Products and services

• Lionsgate Theatrical Films

Quantifiable outcome

• Michael biopic grossed $911.9M worldwide, becoming highest-grossing musical biopic
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Saber InteractivecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 13 February 2026Lionsgate announced AAA John Wick video game in development with Saber Interactive, with Keanu Reeves returning to voice and lend his likeness. First major console title for the franchise, targeting PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
• Rohit Jain (former Lionsgate Play Asia head)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 January 2026Lionsgate sold Lionsgate Play streaming service in India and Southeast Asia to Rohit Jain for approximately $30 million. Jain takes full ownership while Lionsgate retains content licensing under multi-year agreement.
• Freida McFadden / Hidden PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 January 2026Lionsgate greenlit 'The Housemaid's Secret' sequel based on Freida McFadden's bestselling trilogy. Paul Feig directing, Sydney Sweeney returning as star and executive producer, continuing successful creative partnership.
• DirecTVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 19 December 2025Lionsgate and DirecTV launched Lionsgate Collection Premium Channel, expanding distribution of Lionsgate content to DirecTV subscribers.
• FreeWheelcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 December 2025Lionsgate selected FreeWheel as exclusive ad server for its FAST channels in the US, providing ad buyers direct access to Lionsgate's premium streaming inventory through Comcast's SSP platform. Partnership aims to enhance advertising efficiency and revenue.
• Debmar-Mercury & LTNcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Lionsgate and Debmar-Mercury partnered with LTN to launch MovieSphere Gold, a new all-movie digital network featuring Lionsgate's 20,000+ film library. Network leverages LTN's multicast IP video distribution technology and is available in 38M+ US homes.
• Bell Media & Point Grey PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's Point Grey Pictures partnered with Bell Media and Lionsgate to revive 'The Littlest Hobo' with 10-episode hour-long drama. Part of broader creative and financial alliance between Point Grey and Bell Media/Lionsgate Canada.
• RunwaycoreTechnology or Integration · 5 June 2024Lionsgate's 2024 partnership with Runway to train a customized AI model on its film library illustrates how Hollywood is adopting AI tools. Partnership demonstrates AI integration in content creation and production workflows.
• Hasbro (eOne)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2023Lionsgate acquired eOne film and TV studio from Hasbro for $375 million in cash, adding approximately 6,500 titles and rights to develop new productions. The acquisition enhanced Lionsgate's content library and gave rights to develop Monopoly for the big screen. Deal completed December 2023.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• A24: Independent film studio with strong brand in prestige and genre films. Comparable as a Lionsgate competitor for adult and genre audiences and for awards-season positioning, though focused on lower-budget production.
• Amazon MGM Studios: Film/TV studio owned by Amazon, holding Lionsgate's Pay-1 streaming window for major theatrical releases. Comparable as both a studio peer and a critical distribution/streaming partner.
• Warner Bros. Discovery: Major film/TV studio and streaming operator (Max) with overlapping franchise management and theatrical distribution. Directly comparable to Lionsgate in theatrical releases, TV licensing, and content library monetization, though at significantly larger scale.
• Paramount Pictures (Skydance Media): Film/TV production and distribution company with a streaming platform (Paramount+). Overlaps with Lionsgate in theatrical tentpoles, TV licensing, and library monetization, and is pursuing similar studio/streaming structural strategies.
• Sony Pictures Entertainment: Film/TV studio producing major theatrical franchises (Spider-Man, Venom, Uncharted) plus TV production and Crunchyroll streaming. Comparable to Lionsgate as a mid-to-large diversified studio reliant on franchise IP economics.
• STX Entertainment: Mid-sized film studio focused on mid-budget theatrical releases and genre content. Closely comparable to Lionsgate's mid-budget hit strategy (e.g., The Housemaid) and competes in similar theatrical and home entertainment windows.

Broad incumbents

• Universal Pictures (NBCUniversal/Comcast): Larger legacy studio with deep franchise slate (Fast & Furious, Jurassic World) and global theatrical distribution. Comparable because Universal is also Lionsgate's international theatrical distribution partner for major releases like 'Michael'.
• Walt Disney Studios: Largest legacy studio with franchise IP (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar) and Disney+ streaming. Directly comparable business model in franchise-driven theatrical and streaming monetization, though at vastly greater scale.
• Netflix: Streaming-first entertainment company producing original films and series. Directly comparable to Lionsgate Television's streaming-first output strategy, and Netflix is also reported as a potential strategic acquirer of Lionsgate.

Others

• Saber Interactive: AAA video game developer partnering with Lionsgate on the John Wick franchise game. Relevant as a strategic partner in Lionsgate Games and a comparable operator in the broader interactive entertainment ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lionsgate
• Facebookfacebook.com/lionsgate
• YouTubeyoutube.com/lionsgate
• Instagraminstagram.com/lionsgate
• Xx.com/LionsgateTV

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A9 records

Investments15 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lionsgate