SANTA MONICA, CA – Lionsgate and Discovery Communications have struck an exclusive long-term agreement that will see Lionsgate distribute programming from Discovery's array of networks across packaged media platforms in the United States.
The agreement, announced Thursday, encompasses DVD and Blu-ray distribution of Discovery's series and specials from network brands including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery. The first release under the agreement will be the February 23, 2016 Blu-ray and DVD release of Racing Extinction, the landmark documentary which had its worldwide premiere Wednesday on Discovery Channel in more than 220 markets.
"We're thrilled to expand our relationship with Discovery, home of some of the most exciting brands on television, and delighted to bring their diverse and growing portfolio of programming to our home entertainment consumers," said Lionsgate’s home entertainment president Ron Schwartz, in the news release. "Racing Extinction is a powerful and topical documentary by an acclaimed filmmaker that has taken television audiences by storm, and it reflects the world-class quality of Discovery's great pipeline of content."
"We're delighted to partner with Lionsgate, which operates one of the industry's leading home entertainment businesses, and eager to leverage their marketing prowess and distribution expertise for titles across our portfolio," added Discovery Communications SVP of digital distribution and partnerships Rebecca Glashow. "Lionsgate is a strong partner and Racing Extinction is an ideal title to launch our partnership and create new opportunities for both our companies."
The move extends the strategic relationship between the two companies announced last month, under which Discovery Communications agreed to purchase five million common shares of Lionsgate. Liberty Global also purchased five million common shares, resulting in each company having an approximately 3.4% shareholding of Lionsgate's current outstanding shares. Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav and Liberty Global president and CEO Mike Fries were also named to the Lionsgate board of directors.
