Lionsgate Licenses 139 Library Titles to Rainbow Media for Airing on IFC, Sundance, AMC and WE Channels

SANTA MONICA, Calif., and VANCOUVER, May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), the leading next generation studio, will license 139 of its most prestigious and successful theatrical titles to Rainbow Media, a leading innovator in television programming and entertainment, for airing on its IFC, Sundance, AMC and WE networks, the two companies announced today.  The announcement of one of the industry's largest recent library sales and licensing deals was made by Lionsgate Television Group President Kevin Beggs and Rainbow Media President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Sapan.

The deal was structured by Rand Stoll, Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Television, and George Lentz, Senior Vice President of Programming at Rainbow.

The sale showcases the breadth and depth of Lionsgate's vast 13,000-title motion picture and television library and includes such venerated films as Academy Award(R) winners PRECIOUS, CRASH and MONSTER'S BALL, Academy Award(R) nominee AWAY FROM HER, the SAW, PUNISHER, GHOST HOUSE and HORROR FEST action and horror franchises, acclaimed documentaries such as this year's Academy Award(R)-winning film THE COVE from Roadside Attractions, last year's critically acclaimed RELIGULOUS and Crosby Stills Nash & Young's concert sensation DEJA VU.  The films have been sold to Rainbow for airing in the second, third and deep catalog windows.

"This deal underscores the growing appetite for content worldwide and our continued commitment to monetize our enormous filmed entertainment library and extend the revenue afterlife of our theatrical films," said Kevin Beggs, President of Lionsgate's Television Group.  "The size and scope of this 139-title package illustrate the breadth and depth of our library, from some of the world's most commercially successful genre titles to many of the most critically acclaimed prestige films of recent years.  The fast-growing branded networks of the Rainbow family are the ideal cutting edge destination for these films, and the package's diversity reflects both the depth of our library and the breadth of the Rainbow family of channels."

"We are thrilled to acquire this package of films from Lionsgate, because it is rare to find so many exciting, successful, quality films in a single place," said Sapan.  "It is a testament to Lionsgate's prolific and prestigious library that they assembled so many groundbreaking films under one roof.  This deal is another important step forward in our continuing commitment to bring our viewers some of the most original, provocative and acclaimed films in the world today."

Lionsgate noted that its motion picture and television library achieved its fourth consecutive year of record revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, generating $323 million in sales.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has nearly 20 shows on 10 different networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie" along with new series such as "Blue Mountain State" and "Running Wilde" and the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," its spinoff "Meet The Browns" and "The Wendy Williams Show."

Its feature film business has generated such recent hits as TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO?, the action film KICK ASS, which opened at #1 at the North American box office and the critically-acclaimed PRECIOUS, which has garnered nearly $50 million at the North American box office and won two Academy Awards®. The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

SOURCE Lionsgate