LIONSGATE ENTERS INTO STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH SPYGLASS MEDIA GROUP

Rhea-AI Summary

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) has acquired the majority of Spyglass Media Group's film library, encompassing around 200 titles, and formed a strategic partnership. This deal includes a 20% investment stake in Spyglass and a multiyear first-look television agreement. Notable titles acquired include Scream and The Upside, alongside classics like Fruitvale Station and Silver Linings Playbook. Lionsgate aims to enhance its content portfolio amid growing demand for premium content. CEO Jon Feltheimer emphasizes the deal's value for both companies.

Positive

• Acquisition of approximately 200 titles from Spyglass enhances Lionsgate's content library.
• Strategic partnership includes a 20% investment stake in Spyglass.
• First-look television deal strengthens collaboration with Spyglass.
• Acquisition features popular titles like Scream and Silver Linings Playbook, adding value to Lionsgate's offerings.

Negative

• None.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) has acquired the vast majority of the Spyglass Media Group, LLC ("Spyglass") feature film library of approximately 200 titles and formed a strategic content partnership with leading content creator Spyglass, the two companies announced today. The agreement gives Lionsgate a 20% investment stake in the company whose major assets include the latest installment of the Scream blockbuster horror franchise to be released January 14, 2022, the hit movie The Upside, the iconic fashion competition series Project Runway, and the revival of the Hellraiser franchise, currently in pre-production.

The agreement also includes a multiyear first-look television deal between Lionsgate Television and Spyglass. The library titles acquired by Lionsgate encompass a broad range of critically-acclaimed commercial blockbusters including Fruitvale Station, The King's Speech, Scream 4, Scary Movie 5, Spy Kids 4, Paddington, Silver Linings Playbook, Lee Daniel's The Butler and, adding to the Company's large and growing portfolio of Quentin Tarantino titles, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds and The Hateful Eight.

Gary Barber will continue to lead Spyglass as its Chairman and CEO and Spyglass' senior leadership team will remain in their current roles.

"This agreement continues to grow our valuable portfolio of IP while partnering us with Gary Barber, one of the leading entrepreneurs and content creators in the business," said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. "It is a win/win deal that creates significant incremental value for both companies while continuing to add to our global content distribution platform at a time when the demand for premium content is greater than ever."

"I am grateful for the steadfast support from our strategic investors and am thrilled to align with Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns and all our partners at Lionsgate as we look forward to expanding our relationship in creating great content and exploring strategic opportunities together in the marketplace," said Barber.

"Two years ago, we were excited to team up with Gary and have him do what he does best --build Spyglass Media Group into a global premium content company and, in short order, increase shareholder value. Once again, he successfully exceeded those challenges, and we are delighted to continue the journey with him," said Spyglass' strategic investors: Andy Mitchell, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of Lantern Capital Partners; Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group; Tarak Ben Ammar, Chairman, Eagle Pictures; and Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld Group.

The transaction was negotiated for Lionsgate by a team headed by Lionsgate COO Brian Goldsmith and Lionsgate EVP & General Counsel Corii Berg, with Sheppard Mullin LLP acting as legal advisor. The transaction was negotiated for Spyglass by a team headed by Chief Legal Officer Cheryl Rodman, with Moelis & Company LLC serving as the exclusive financial advisor and Venable LLP acting as a legal advisor for Spyglass Media Group.

ABOUT SPYGLASS MEDIA GROUP, LLC
Spyglass Media Group, LLC is a global premium content company, focused on developing, producing, financing and acquiring motion pictures and television programming across all platforms for worldwide audiences. The company has strategic backing from Lantern Capital Partners, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., Eagle Pictures and Cineworld Group.

ABOUT LIONSGATE
Combining the STARZ premium global subscription platform with world-class motion picture and television studio operations, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) brings a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. Its film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and the largest collection of film and television franchises in the independent media space. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for the audiences it serves worldwide.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Spyglass Media Group:
Kristin Cotich
kcotich@spyglassmediagroup.com

Lionsgate:
Peter D. Wilkes
(310) 255-3726
pwilkes@lionsgate.com

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SOURCE Lionsgate

FAQ

What is Lionsgate's acquisition of Spyglass Media Group?

Lionsgate acquired the majority of Spyglass Media Group's film library and a 20% stake in the company.

How many titles did Lionsgate acquire from Spyglass?

Lionsgate acquired approximately 200 titles from Spyglass Media Group.

What notable films are included in the Lionsgate and Spyglass deal?

Notable films include Scream, The Upside, and Silver Linings Playbook.

When is the new <i>Scream</i> movie being released?

The new installment of Scream is set to be released on January 14, 2022.

What is the significance of the first-look television deal between Lionsgate and Spyglass?

The first-look television deal allows Lionsgate to produce content in collaboration with Spyglass, expanding their strategic partnership.