Lionsgate Leaning Towards Studio Spinoff, Not Starz Divestiture

Lionsgate is now spinning off its studio enterprise — reasonably than kicking out the Starz premium community and streaming enterprise.

The corporate, in an SEC submitting Wednesday, mentioned that “Regardless of the risky market setting” Lionsgate stays “on a path to separating our Starz and studio companies.” Nevertheless, Lionsgate is more and more targeted on divesting the studio aspect of the home.

“As negotiations progress, we’ve got elevated our give attention to the potential for spinning our studio enterprise, creating a variety of monetary and strategic advantages,” the corporate mentioned in an SEC submitting Wednesday. “In that regard, we’re persevering with productive negotiations with potential strategic and monetary companions on either side of our enterprise.”

Lionsgate didn’t establish the events it’s concerned in talks with.

The corporate beforehand introduced that it could have a look at spinning off or promoting Starz, which it acquired in 2016, as a part of lowering debt. Among the many suitors are Roku and Apollo Group, which had teamed up on a bid to accumulate a minority stake in Starz.

Lionsgate’s disclosure about doubtlessly spinning off its studio biz got here as the corporate additionally introduced that it’s rebranding Starzplay, its worldwide streaming service, has been rebranded as Lionsgate+. The rebranded Lionsgate+ shall be out there in 35 international locations together with the U.Okay. and Canada on Sept. 29.

Extra to come back