Lionsgate Studios Corp.
Acquisitions
3
Major Deals Covered
$5.2B
Disclosed Deal Value
Lionsgate's largest disclosed acquisition here is Starz Inc. for $4.4B in 2016. This page covers 3 major deals from 2012 to 2023, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit Entertainment | 2012 | $412.0M | Added Summit's Twilight franchise and film slate, announced January 2012. |
| Starz Inc. | 2016 | $4.4B | Added a premium pay-TV and streaming network for recurring subscription revenue. |
| Entertainment One (eOne) Assets | 2023 | $375.0M | Bought Hasbro's eOne film and TV business to expand TV production and the library. |
2023
$375M
Bought Hasbro's eOne film and TV business to expand TV production and the library.
Added series such as The Rookie and Yellowjackets.
Closed December 2023; reported value about $375M in cash plus assumed production financing.
2016
$4.4B
Added a premium pay-TV and streaming network for recurring subscription revenue.
Increased debt as cord-cutting pressured pay-TV.
Starz was separated into an independent public company in May 2025.
2012
$412M
Added Summit's Twilight franchise and film slate, announced January 2012.
Combined Twilight with The Hunger Games, giving Lionsgate two global young-adult franchises.
Greatly increased Lionsgate's box office scale and library value.
Lionsgate's growth plan centers on franchise extensions (Hunger Games, John Wick spinoffs and series), more scripted TV deliveries, library licensing, and deleveraging with free cash flow. Separating from Starz in 2025 let the studio be valued and run as a pure content company.
Since the May 2025 Starz separation, Lionsgate makes money from two segments. Motion Picture ($1.617B of FY2026 segment revenue) earns theatrical, home entertainment, digital, television and international licensing revenue from franchises such as The Hunger Games, John Wick and Saw. Television Production ($1.045B) produces and licenses scripted and unscripted series to networks and streamers and includes 3 Arts Entertainment talent management. Across both, the 20,000-plus title library generated $987 million of trailing 12-month revenue as of June 30, 2026.
In January 2012, Lionsgate acquired rival independent studio Summit Entertainment for $412 million in cash and stock, adding the blockbuster 'Twilight Saga' franchise (generating over $3.3B) and uniting it with 'The Hunger Games' to create an entertainment leader.
In December 2016, Lionsgate acquired premium pay television network Starz Inc. for $4.4 billion in cash and stock, combining Lionsgate's film/TV production studio with Starz's domestic and international pay-TV and streaming networks.
In December 2023, Lionsgate completed the $375 million acquisition of Hasbro's Entertainment One (eOne) film and television business, adding 6,500 library titles, the hit series 'The Rookie' (ABC) and 'Yellowjackets' (Showtime), and expanding Canadian/UK operations.
In October 2003, Lionsgate acquired Artisan Entertainment for $220 million, adding a lucrative 3,200-title film library (including The Blair Witch Project, Dirty Dancing, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day) and transforming Lionsgate into the leading independent film distributor.
In 2015, Lionsgate acquired a controlling interest in Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Media Group (later consolidating full 100% ownership), expanding its television footprint into unscripted reality television series (Wicked Tuna, Street Outlaws).
In 2006, Lionsgate acquired leading television syndication firm Debmar-Mercury, securing long-term syndication rights and distribution for hit daytime talk shows and sitcoms (The Wendy Williams Show, Family Feud, South Park).
Lionsgate acquired the motion picture libraries of Trimark Holdings in 2000 (adding 650 titles including Leprechaun) and Redbus Film Distribution in the UK in 2005, expanding its international theatrical distribution footprint.
Lionsgate Studios prioritizes acquiring high-margin, cash-flow-generative IP libraries, specialized production companies with established broadcast series, and technology partnerships that enhance digital content monetization.
Lionsgate is built entirely on massive acquisitions. In 2012, they executed a brilliant $412 million buyout of Summit Entertainment, instantly securing the massive, multi-billion dollar "Twilight" franchise. More recently, in 2023, they acquired eOne (Entertainment One) from Hasbro for $375 million, securing a massive library of 6,500 titles (including "The Rookie" and "Yellowjackets").
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