News

Lionsgate has taken another step towards a proposed separation of its studio operations from Starz, its pay TV and streaming business.

On Wednesday, the Hollywood studio disclosed the public filing of a Form S-4 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission around the long-awaited separation of its studios business, to be called Lionsgate Studios Corp., and its media networks business, mainly Starz.

The SEC filing offers a joint proxy statement and prospectus that calls for Lionsgate’s studios business, known as LG Studios, to formally split from Starz to produce two separately traded public companies. The first, Lgec, will be renamed Starz Entertainment Corp., and New Lionsgate will be called Lionsgate Studios Corp.

Earlier, Lionsgate spun off its film and TV studios business in a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (Spac) to create a separately traded public company, with an eye to a formal separation from Starz down the road.

For Outlander fans who have long longed for a Lord John Grey spinoff, David Berry, who plays the character in the original Starz series, has some insight to share.

As a refresher, the hit Outlander series, which will conclude its run with the upcoming eighth season, is based on the best-selling novels by Diana Gabaldon. She also authored a Lord John Grey series consisting of three novels and six novellas, which Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch has shown interest in expanding into a TV series of its own. There have been no major developments on that front yet.

Berry opened up about what transpired behind the scenes in a chat with Deadline earlier today while promoting the mothership series’ upcoming Season 7 Part 2 premiere on November 22 via Starz.

“I haven’t spoken about this. But I think that since the series is over, I feel a bit more comfortable talking about it,...

The Serpent Queen will not be returning for a third season at Starz, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The news comes a little more than a month after the season two finale aired in August. The Serpent Queen, based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda, is about the life of Catherine de’ Medici, the 16th century Queen of France.

In the second season, Catherine’s grip on power is tested as she faces power struggles, conflicts and betrayals while attempting to unite France. The show, created by Justin Haythe (The Lone Ranger), starred Samantha Morton as Catherine, in addition to Amrita Acharia, Enzo Cilenti, Ruby Bentall, Nicholas Burns, Beth Goddard, Raza Jaffrey and Danny Kirrane.

The Serpent Queen was produced in-house by Lionsgate Television and 3 Arts Entertainment. Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games) and Erwin Stoff (The Matrix) served as executive producers. The...

Hey, "Power Book II: Ghost" fans. We hope you guys totally enjoyed and savored the heck out of every minute of tonight's episode 10, especially since it is officially confirmed to be the series finale episode. That means there will be no new episodes for this series forever. Yep, according to he folks over at Deadline.com , Starz announced the cancellation of Power Book II: Ghost way back in March 2024. They were able to get an announcement from the CEO of Starz Jeffrey Hirsch as to why they canceled the series. He stated that the longer the show kept running, the more expensive it got, and they need to cut costs. They're going to use the Power Book II: Ghost budget to develop some new, less expensive shows. Jeffrey said, "You look at the Power map and say, ‘Ok, if I take one of those characters out and spin one of those out,...

Starz’s Power Book IV: Force will conclude following the drama’s third season which is currently in production in Chicago. It’s lights out for Tommy (Joseph Sikora) and the gang but that doesn’t mean their stories are over.

As Deadline reported in March, Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch revealed plans to contain content costs by developing more new shows versus sustaining series longer as they become more expensive. The plan was implemented immediately as Starz announced the next day the development of a new prequel series Origin, following the Ghost (Omari Hardwick in the flagship series) and Tommy during their early years. The new show is similar to Power Book III: Raising Kanan, which centers on Power’s favorite foe, Kanan Stark (played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) during his younger years.

Just a day later, the bombshell news was revealed that Power Book II: Ghost would conclude...

Fans of the Power franchise are losing Ghost again — but this time, it’s the series.

Starz has canceled Power Book II: Ghost, with the show’s fourth season to serve as its last. It will be broken into two parts, premiering June 7 and September 6. Watch the teaser above.

The move was prefaced by Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch this week when he revealed plans to contain content costs by developing more new shows versus sustaining series longer as they become more expensive.

Using the Power franchise as an example, he said: “You look at the [Power] map and say, ‘Ok, if I take one of those characters out and spin one of those out, I can bring that on to replace the Power show at half the cost.’ Now I’m putting a lot of money right to the bottom line. And I’m really not losing anything in terms of acquisition costs and subscriber viewership,...

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (Pcf) recently hosted their annual Pro-Am Tennis & Golf Tournament in South Florida.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Perform at Prostate Cancer Foundation Event

Credit/Copyright: Bfa / Diana Zapata

The tournaments were a part of a five-day event that combines the 2024 Milken Institute South Florida Dialogues and annual Pcf Pro-Am Tournaments.

The Milken Institute South Florida Dialogues in Palm Beach took place over three days, which included the annual Pcf Pro-Am Tennis Tournament; and concluded with three days of events in Miami. The first night in Palm Beach saw a Gala Dinner honoring John and Daria Becker Barry and the Barry Family in recognition of their efforts to accelerate new life-saving treatment options for prostate cancer patients held at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum with world-renowned mentalist Oz Pearlman and a special musical performance by Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo.

Some notable attendees included: Mike Milken, Bill Koch,...

Television’s biggest night took place in West Hollywood, CA on Saturday, January 13th when Emmy Awards nominees and presenters, along with some of the most powerful entertainment industry influencers, joined together for MPTF's 17th annual “Evening Before” benefit.

Stars Attend MPTF's 17th annual "Evening Before" benefit

Credit/Copyright: Getty Images for MPTF

Co-Chaired by Quinta Brunson and Bob Odenkirk, the annual event raised over $2.5 million.

“I’m excited to celebrate with MPTF. We’ve had quite a year, and this organization and its fundraiser has helped many weather the storm, " said co-chair Quinta Brunson.

Co-chair Bob Odenkirk added, “I’m thrilled to be a co-chair of MPTF’s The Evening Before benefit with Quinta. MPTF really stepped up during a very challenging year to support the entertainment community, and I’m proud to be a part of a fundraiser that will help to sustain that vital support.”

Funds raised...

As Lionsgate and Starz separate, the Lionsgate+ streaming service is closing down in the UK in February 2024.

After the years of rampant growth, the streaming market has, inevitably, become hugely saturated in recent times. To the point where there are umpteen services to choose from in the UK alone, and questions over how sustainable the model is.

Here comes a fairly major casualty. Lionsgate has decided to exit the streaming business in the UK and Australia. It’s the offshoot of a corporate rejig that’s basically seeing Lionsgate de-merge from Starz, and in turn bring down its total workforce by some 10%.

Customers who subscribe to Lionsgate+ in the UK are now being written to, to be informed that their subscription will “automatically be cancelled on February 29th, 2024”.

For those who had paid for the service in advance, they’ll be refunded on a pro-rata basis. Unlike TalkTalk, that recently left customers out of pocket,...

As Starz continues its internal changes, several high-ranking members have left the company, a Starz spokesperson confirmed to TheWrap. This is part of a larger company-wide restructuring as the premium cable network prepares to make its transition to becoming a standalone company.

Altogether, senior vice president of original programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair, director of original programming Alex Alberts, manager of original programming Jordan Lippetz and senior vice president and head of production Kevin Hamburger were impacted by the change.

Moving forward, Samantha Nissen will head current programming with Sebastian Arboleda reporting to her. Christina Jokanovich will head development with Tara Roy reporting into her, and Giovanna Desselle will work on both current programming and development. Karen Bailey will step in as head of production following Hamburger’s departure and will handle creative on select titles.

This isn’t the first major shakeup the company has seen in recent weeks. Earlier this month,...

Starz is set to reduce its staff by 10%, a spokesperson confirmed Friday to TheWrap. The move comes as the premium cable network separates from its former parent company Lionsgate to become its own independent company.

The company will also cease operations in the U.K. and Australia, the Starz spokesperson told TheWrap. This comes after the company announced it was moving out of Latin America during a recent earnings call.

In a company-wide memo, CEO Jeffrey Hirsch explained these changes were made “to align our organization with the growth areas of the business and to prepare us for our next chapter as a standalone company.” The same memo also credited the company’s “laser focus on the changing environment” and ability to adapt as a reason why Starz remains “one of the only profitable premium networks.”

“We are committed to ensuring that those impacted today are supported and their transition is as easy as possible,...

Starz is restructuring ahead of its planned separation from Lionsgate early next year.

The streaming service and premium cable channel will cut 10 percent of its staff, and exit its business in the U.K. The changes were announced by Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch on Friday.

“As difficult as it is, with many of our employees being impacted, we are making these changes to align our organization with the growth areas of the business and to prepare us for our next chapter as a standalone company,” Hirsch wrote in a memo. “As I have said many times before, I believe that we have the best team in the business and appreciate the contribution of each employee, which makes these organizational changes even more difficult.”

Lionsgate first announced its plans to spin out Starz last year, splitting the company in two, with its film and TV studio in one company, and the...

Starz plans to lay off 10% of its staff and exiting the UK and Australia ahead of its separation next year from Lionsgate.

The news was relayed to employees today in a memo from CEO Jeffrey Hirsch (read it below) and confirmed to Deadline by a person familiar with the moves.

“As difficult as it is, with many of our employees being impacted, we are making these changes to align our organization with the growth areas of the business and to prepare us for our next chapter as a standalone company,” Hirsch wrote in the memo.

Starz was acquired by Lionsgate in 2016 for $4.4 billion, but the parent company has entertained offers for it and explored other strategic options over the past couple of years. The final separation plan, which has been delayed in recent months due to Lionsgate’s purchase of eOne and other factors, is set to take effect in...

As Starz prepares to separate from parent company Lionsgate in 2024, it will reduce its staff of roughly 670 employees by more than 10%.

Starz will also cease business operations in the both the U.K. and Australia. This follows the cable and streaming company’s recent exit from Latin America, as announced in Lionsgate’s August earnings call. At the time, the move was described as a strategic decision to focus on the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

The news of the layoffs and withdrawal came in a memo sent to staffers by Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch on Friday followed by a company-wide town hall meeting. “We are making these changes to align our organization with the growth areas of the business and to prepare us for our next chapter as a standalone company,” he said in his email.

Lionsgate first acquired Starz in 2016. Starz was set to separate from the...

This post contains spoilers for the Season 3 finale of “Party Down”

It took almost the entire season, but “Party Down” fans finally got a long-awaited reunion between Henry (Adam Scott) and Casey (Lizzy Caplan). In the Season 3 finale episode tag, a disillusioned Casey returns to Los Angeles to promote her latest project and finally reconnects with Henry during the press junket. The brief interaction, where Casey reveals she hasn’t found happiness even in success and might seek to explode her current life and return to the city and presumably Henry, sets up another season of the cult comedy that would presumably feature Caplan in a starring role. Or, if “Party Down” never returns to Starz, it serves as an unresolved finish reminiscent of “The Graduate.”

Caplan missed the reunion season because of her busy 2022 production schedule. The actress shot FX’s “Fleishman Is In Trouble” and the Paramount+ series...

Lionsgate is moving forward with its plans to separate the studio business from Starz, submitting a draft registration of the proposed spinoff — of the studio — with SEC.

The filing was submitted confidentially, so there are no details. But Lionsgate said it expects the spin-off to be completed “on previously communicated timelines, subject to market and other conditions.” That means the quarter ending in September. Details of the spin will likely become public within the next few months. The company had said previously it intended to file is plans with the SEC in March, so today’s news is in line.

Wall Street has been anticipating the transaction for over a year. It’s meant to unlock value for the stock, which had been lagging, along with the rest of media. This year, Lionsgate shares are among the sector’s best performers, having doubled since Jan. but still down from its...

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Ted Lasso, Scream 6 and House of the Dragon.

Scream 6 premiere

The latest Ghostface flick premiered in NYC on Monday with stars Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Jack Champion. Several of the stars of Scream 5 also came out to support, including Jack Quaid and Dylan Minnette.

Devyn Nekoda, Liana Liberato, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega and Courteney Cox Dylan Minnette, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Devyn Nekoda, Jack Champion, Tony Revolori, Liana Liberato, Melissa Barrera and Jack Quaid Spyglass Media Group’s Peter Oillataguerre and Gary Barber

Ted Lasso premiere

Season three of the hit Apple TV+ comedy debuted in L.A. on Tuesday with stars Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, Phil Dunster, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Cristo Fernández and Toheeb Jimoh,...

“Party Down” was an underdog show about underdogs — out-of-luck caterers who dreamed of one day rubbing shoulders with Hollywood rainmakers rather than serving them hors d’oeuvres.

In the series, which ran on Starz for two seasons (2009-10), an ensemble cast led by Adam Scott and Ken Marino paraded around Los Angeles, working funerals, orgies and everything in between. The scrappy comedy got creative with a small budget, centering episodes around a corporate picnic or a one-man birthday party, which didn’t require hiring extras. Showrunner and co-creator John Enbom says the team wouldn’t pitch a “dog wedding,” for example, because they knew they “couldn’t afford to hire 20 animal trainers.”

“Party Down” drew a cult following and critical acclaim — but also low ratings, so it was canceled by Starz, the underdog premium cabler. Since then, the show has enjoyed a second life on Hulu, picking up viewers who...

Thirteen years after the end of its second season, Party Down has returned for its third.

The comeback was a long time coming, following several revival plans that fell through (including a movie), until stars Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Martin Starr, Jane Lynch, Megan Mullally and Ryan Hansen reunited for the workplace cater waiter comedy.

“I gave up hope about five years ago — before that I was saying it’s definitely going to happen, definitely going to happen and then I gave up,” Marino told The Hollywood Reporter at the L.A. premiere on Wednesday night. “And then about three years later I got an email saying, ‘Oh we’re going to do this.’ So the moral of the story is give up hope on things, and then maybe they’ll circle back to you.”

Executive producer Rob Thomas explained the show was canceled the first time when a new president took over at Starz,...

Everyone involved in the long-awaited Party Down season 3 experienced a moment in which they finally realized that this was happening … that Starz’ little-watched but much-loved comedy was really coming back to television after 12 years away.

For Henry Pollard actor and producer Adam Scott (Severance), that moment arrived in fall of 2021 when Starz provided the cast and crew with a greenlight to begin shooting.

“I was like ‘Oh my god, this is a real TV show again.'”

For showrunner John Enbom, it was when the studio opened up its checkbook.

“I think it became really real when we were able to open an office. Because when somebody actually writes a check, then it’s real.”

That moment for Ron Donald actor Ken Marino didn’t arrive until he was actually on set for the first day of shooting.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long time. At a...

Lionsgate has released its third quarter financial results while exploring a possible sale or spinoff of the premium cable and streaming platform Starz or its studio business.

The studio swung to a third quarter net income at 16.6 million, against a year-earlier loss of 45.6 million, on overall revenue rising to 1 billion, compared to a year-earlier 885.4 million, on strong studio revenue during the three months to Dec. 31, 2022.

Lionsgate posted an adjusted earnings per-share at 26 cents, compared to a year-earlier per-share loss of 12 cents, which in the latest financial quarter beat an analyst estimate by 38 cents. The studio reported record trailing 12-month library revenue of 845 million in the quarter from a mix of film and TV content, including the licensing of Schitt’s Creek and Shotgun Wedding.

“We reported a strong financial quarter with record trailing 12-month library revenues affirming the value of our intellectual properties. We enter our fourth quarter with encouraging...

It was announced last month that HBO Max had cancelled Minx after one season, despite the fact that production on the second season was nearly complete. Lionsgate Television stated that they would be looking for a new home for Minx, and it seems they have found one. It was announced today that Starz has picked up Minx and will have the rights to both seasons of the series.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Starz family, and for the opportunity to introduce Minx to a brand new audience,” creator and showrunner Ellen Rapoport said in a statement. “We’ve found the perfect home. Our writers, cast and crew have created something truly special in season two, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.” Set in 1970s Los Angeles, Minx stars Ophelia Lovibond as Joyce, an “earnest young feminist who joins forces with low-rent publisher (Jake Johnson...

You didn't think Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond) would give up so easily, did you? The woman spent 10 episodes doing everything in her power to make sure that her feminist agenda could make its way to the people of the world — even when it meant working with a sleazy yet surprisingly charming porn publisher. Needless to say, some flimsy network cancellation was never gonna stand in the way of "Minx."

After being unceremoniously canceled by HBO Max, "Minx" is officially back in print. Starz has rescued the half-hour comedy and will now air the recently completed second season, along with the previously streaming first season (which has already been pulled from HBO Max). Bringing "Minx" to the premium cable network is a natural move for Lionsgate, the producer of the series and parent company of Starz.

At the time of cancellation in early December, the sophomore season was in its final week of production,...

We can add another show to the “saved” list. Starz has picked up Seasons 1 and 2 of Minx, the comedy that originally aired on HBO Max, was renewed, and then canceled. Season 2 will exclusively be available on Starz. “We have always felt this show would be a perfect fit for our brand with our dedication to narratives by, about and for women,” said Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO for Starz. “Starz is proud to be the new home for this incredible show that has drawn in well-deserved critical acclaim. We’re excited to welcome Ellen and the talented Minx team to the network and can’t wait to bring its passionate fans the second season.” Creator, showrunner, and executive producer Ellen Rapoport added, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Starz family, and for the opportunity to introduce Minx to a brand new audience. We’ve found the perfect home.

Minx has found a new home following its HBO Max cancellation.

Starz announced today it has picked up the second season of the hit comedy.

"We have always felt this show would be a perfect fit for our brand with our dedication to narratives by, about and for women," said Jeffrey Hirsch, President, and CEO for Starz.

"Starz is proud to be the new home for this incredible show that has drawn in well-deserved critical acclaim."

"We're excited to welcome Ellen and the talented 'Minx' team to the network and can't wait to bring its passionate fans the second season." 

Ellen Rapoport, Minx creator, showrunner, and executive producer, said:

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining the Starz family, and for the opportunity to introduce Minx to a brand new audience."

"We've found the perfect home. Our writers, cast and crew have created something truly special in Season 2, and I can't...

“Minx” is back in print. The canceled HBO Max series has been acquired by Starz, which will air its already completed Season 2 and host the first season on its streaming platform, the premium cable channel announced January 12.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Starz family, and for the opportunity to introduce ‘Minx’ to a brand new audience. We’ve found the perfect home,” series creator and showrunner Ellen Rapoport said in a statement. “Our writers, cast and crew have created something truly special in Season 2, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

In December, HBO Max abruptly canceled “Minx,” reversing its initial Season 2 pickup in May and taking Season 1 off the streamer. Sources from Lionsgate, which produces the series and owns Starz, told IndieWire that production on Season 2 was nearly completed before the decision was made but that they hoped to shop the series to other outlets.

Great news for fans of “Minx”: The 1970s-set show, which was canceled by HBO Max despite having a second season ready to air, has been revived at Starz, the cabler announced on Thursday. Producer Lionsgate has been shopping the Ellen Rapoport-created series around after it was canceled in December.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Starz family, and for the opportunity to introduce Minx to a brand new audience. We’ve found the perfect home. Our writers, cast and crew have created something truly special in Season 2, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it,” said Rapoport, “Minx” creator, showrunner and executive producer.

“We have always felt this show would be a perfect fit for our brand with our dedication to narratives by, about and for women,” Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch said in a statement.

Also Read:

HBO Max Cancels Comedy Series...

Minx has found a new home after being dropped by HBO Max.

Starz — whose parent company, Lionsgate, produces Minx — has picked up the comedy series starring Ophelia Lovibond and Jake Johnson and will have rights to both seasons of the show. The first ran on HBO Max in spring 2022, and the second had nearly finished production before HBO Max rescinded its renewal and scrapped the series.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the Starz family, and for the opportunity to introduce Minx to a brand new audience,” creator and showrunner Ellen Rapoport said in a statement. “We’ve found the perfect home. Our writers, cast and crew have created something truly special in season two, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

Minx was one of a number of shows Warner Bros. Discovery scuttled, both on HBO Max and its linear channels, as it seeks billions...

Starz has rescued Minx, starring Ophelia Lovibond and Jake Johnson, following its HBO Max cancellation. The Lionsgate-owned premium network has stepped in to pick up both Season 1 and the unaired Season 2 of the period erotic comedy, produced by Lionsgate Television.

Season 1 premiered on HBO Max in March 2022 and was renewed for a second season two months later. The streamer reversed a Season 2 renewal in December while the comedy series was in its final week of production. The cancellation was part of a larger programming purge at Warner Media Discovery following the company’s merger last April as part of cost-cutting tax write-offs.

With Starz’s pickup of both seasons of the Lionsgate TV series, Season 1 will be part of the network’s library and Season 2 will be a Starz exclusive. According to sources, Starz pursued Minx when it became available and stepped up to pick it up.

“We have...

Starz is promoting Darren Nielson to executive vice president of international networks. His promotion comes as Superna Kalle, president of Starz international networks to whom Nielson previously reported, has announced she is stepping down. She will remain with the company until March.

In his new role, Nielson will report directly to Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch. He will oversee the growth of the premium cabler’s international service Lionsgate+. That includes P&l responsibility and all aspects of programming, distribution, marketing, publicity, and international original series in the UK, Latin America and Brazil, Canada and Australia.

“Darren has been instrumental in building our international business working with Superna since joining the company in 2018,” Hirsch said. “He has a deep knowledge of the global streaming landscape and is a respected strategic executive. We look forward to maximizing growth and profitability of our international markets under his leadership. Superna did a great...

Starz has promoted global SVOD executive Darren Nielson to executive vice president of International Networks, president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch announced Tuesday. Nielson will report directly to Hirsch and is taking over for Superna Kalle, who was formerly head of the division.

In the role, Nielson will oversee the international division’s growth for its newly rebranded international service Lionsgate+ including P&l responsibility and all aspects of programming, distribution, marketing and publicity in the UK, Latin America and Brazil, Canada and Australia including oversight of Lionsgate+ international original series.

Since joining the company in 2018, the executive has been leading the international distribution and business development for Starz-branded digital and linear services and channels, working closely with Kalle to develop expansion strategies, identify and evaluate partner opportunities, and source and negotiate distribution agreements with in-territory partners.

Also Read:

Ricky Strauss Joins Apple TV+ as Head of Marketing

“Darren has been instrumental...

Starz International Networks President Superna Kalle is exiting after five years, replaced by Darren Nielson.

Kalle will remain for a two-month transition period before pursuing new opportunities.

As Executive Vice President, International Networks, Nielson will report to Starz President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch. Overseeing the UK, Latin America and Brazil, Canada and Australia, he will look after recently-rebranded international streamer Lionsgate+, which changed name from Starzplay International last year, while Starz remains the brand name in the U.S.

His promotion comes at a time of change, with Lionsgate in the process of spinning off its studio from Starz.

Kalle has overseen a huge period of change internationally, moving into more territories and commissioning local originals such as a German adaptation of Night in Paradise and several from Spain. While territory rollouts increased and local originals were initially boosted, however, the Gaslit and Dangerous Liaisons streamer is soon to be pulled from Germany,...

the long-awaited return of the hit comedy series Party Down has a premiere date!

Starz revealed Wednesday that the new season will premiere on Friday, February 24 at midnight on the Starz app, all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the Lionsgate+ premium streaming platform in the UK, Brazil and Latin America.

On linear, it will debut on Starz at 9:00 Pm Et/Pt in the U.S. and Canada.

The third season will consist of six new episodes.

Here's the official logline:

Ten years later, most of the Party Down catering team have moved on, including actor/bartender Henry Pollard.

After a surprise reunion, the gang find themselves once again stoically enduring the procession of random parties and oddball guests all over Los Angeles.

Scott reprises his role alongside original cast members Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen and Megan Mullally.

Previously announced new cast members...

Click here to read the full article.

Starz is showing an early sign of confidence in Dangerous Liaisons.

The Lionsgate-backed premium cable network has handed out an early second-season renewal to the drama starring Alice Englert and Nicholas Denton. The pickup comes days before the drama’s Nov. 6 premiere.

“Dangerous Liaisons is addictive, provocative and beautifully rendered,” said Kathryn Busby, the recently installed head of originals at Starz. “This prelude to the famed 18th century novel illuminates pre-revolution Paris at its most decadent. We are confident that by the end of season one viewers will be craving more scheming and seduction.”

Dangerous Liaisons, picked up to series in summer 2019, is described as a modern reimagining of the 18th century novel set in pre-Revolution France from Harriet Warner (Call the Midwife) that tells the origin story of how his iconic characters, the Marquise de Merteuil and the Vicomte de Valmont,...

Click here to read the full article.

The queen will return to Starz.

The Lionsgate-controlled premium cable network has handed out a second-season renewal for The Serpent Queen. The news comes ahead of this weekend’s season one finale of the drama that stars Samantha Morton as ruthless ruler Catherine de Medici.

“The Serpent Queen is distinctly modern, darkly comedic and completely unexpected,” said Kathryn Busby, the recently installed president of originals at Starz. “Catherine De Medici’s story is the perfect complement to our female-forward slate, and Samantha Morton’s brilliant portrayal of this ruthless, charming and savvy queen anchors the whole production. We’re thrilled to unveil more of her incredible life and reign in season two, which promises to be even more provocative and sublime.”

Based on the book Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda, The Serpent Queen was ordered straight to...

Streamer will remain as Starz in the US and Canada.

Lionsgate is rebranding its international streamer Starzplay as Lionsgate+ in 35 countries as it emerged the company is focused on spinning off the studio.

The streamer will remain as Starz in the US and Canada, and as Starzplay Arabia in Mena and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia.

The Lionsgate+ rebrand will roll out tomorrow (September 29) in countries including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

Lionsgate is in the process of separating Starz and its studio business. After indicating last year it was exploring a potential spin-off of Starz,...

Move comes as Lionsgate says it plans to spin-off its studio business.

Lionsgate’s international streamer Starzplay is to rebrand as Lionsgate+ in 35 countries.

The streamer will remain as Starz in the US and Canada, and as Starzplay Arabia in Mena and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia.

The Lionsgate+ rebrand will roll out tomorrow (September 29) in countries including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

Lionsgate is in the process of separating Starz and its studio business – but told investors via a Securities Commission filing today that it is likely to spin-off its studio business rather than Starz.

Plus-2 streaming services with plus signs: Epix will be rebranded as MGM+ in January 2023, the company revealed Wednesday. Also Wednesday: Starz announced it will rebrand international streaming service Starzplay as Lionsgate+. We’re told this was coincidence but still, good grief.

While Lionsgate has long stated that it plans to sell or spin off Starz, Lionsgare also filed this SEC statement today: “Despite the volatile market environment, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. remains on a path to separating our Starz and studio businesses. As negotiations progress, we have increased our focus on the possibility of spinning our studio business, creating a number of financial and strategic benefits. In that regard, we are continuing productive negotiations with prospective strategic and financial partners on both sides of our business.”

In other words, it still may sell or spin off Starz; or, it might spin off the Lionsgate studio instead. Decisions, decisions, which require buyers,...

Click here to read the full article.

Lionsgate has decided to focus on spinning-off its studio business as it renames its StarzPlay streaming platform as Lionsgate+ in 35 markets outside the U.S.

“Despite the volatile market environment, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. remains on a path to separating our Starz and studio businesses. As negotiations progress, we have increased our focus on the possibility of spinning our studio business, creating a number of financial and strategic benefits,” Lionsgate said in an SEC filing on Wednesday.

“In that regard, we are continuing productive negotiations with prospective strategic and financial partners on both sides of our business,” the studio continued as Lionsgate and Starz are still expected to operate as separate, yet aligned in strategies, at the end of the current sales process.

Lionsgate also announced that Starz will rebrand as Lionsgate+ in 35 countries, and with a new brand look from Sept. 29.

Lionsgate...

Lionsgate is now looking at spinning off its studio business — rather than kicking out the Starz premium network and streaming business.

The company, in an SEC filing Wednesday, said that “Despite the volatile market environment” Lionsgate remains “on a path to separating our Starz and studio businesses.” However, Lionsgate is increasingly focused on divesting the studio side of the house.

“As negotiations progress, we have increased our focus on the possibility of spinning our studio business, creating a number of financial and strategic benefits,” the company said in an SEC filing Wednesday. “In that regard, we are continuing productive negotiations with prospective strategic and financial partners on both sides of our business.”

Lionsgate did not identify the parties it’s involved in talks with.

Lionsgate’s disclosure about potentially spinning off its studio biz came as the company also announced that it is rebranding Starzplay, its international streaming service, has...

International streaming service Starzplay has been rebranded as Lionsgate+.

Available in 35 countries including the U.K. and Canda, the re-brand will roll out tomorrow (Sept. 29) across all territories.

The full list of territories where Starzplay will re-brand as Lionsgate+ is: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Australia and Japan.

However Starzplay Arabia and Lionsgate Play, available in South and Southeast Asia, will remain as they are.

The service boasts a library of content including “Gaslit,” starring Julia Roberts (pictured above), crime drama “Express” and Elle Fanning starrer “The Great.”

“We recognized the potential of the global Ott market early, and over the last few years we have built an incredible global streaming service, which has become a destination for audiences seeking premium,...

Starz is to rebrand as Lionsgate+ in 35 countries along with rebranding its logo, but will remain Starz in the U.S. and Canada.

Ahead of a swanky showcase in London tonight, Starz CEO Jeffrey Hirsch unveiled the news, which will happen officially tomorrow.

He added: “Operating under Lionsgate+ internationally brings a distinct and differentiated identity in an increasingly crowded international marketplace and builds on the brand equity in the Lionsgate name that our extensive research has proven is strong around the world. Even with the separation of Starz and the Lionsgate studio business, the Lionsgate brand will continue to be valuable to the ongoing success of our international platform.”

The pair of businesses are currently going through a separation and a number of media entities are rumored to be interested in acquiring Starz including the likes of Canal+ and Roku, with a sale expected before the end of this year.

The writers behind ABC’s Black-ish, Apple TV+’s Pachinko, Disney’s Oscar-winning Encanto and Adam McKay’s satire Don’t Look Up are among the winners of the 46th annual Humanitas Prizes. The honors were bestowed Friday afternoon in a ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Humanitas Prizes have been handed out since 1973 to empower television and film writers whose work explores the human condition in a nuanced, meaningful way. Writers across 10 categories receive 10,000 cash prizes.

Other winners included Nanfu Wang for her documentary In the Same Breath, Matt Harris for writing the script for Ted Melfi’s The Starling starring Melissa McCarthy and Kevin Kline, and Marissa Jo Cerar for penning the “Mother and Son” episode of ABC’s anthology series Women of the Movement.

Also during the ceremony emceed by Larry Wilmore, the Humanitas organization presented Filmmakers for Ukraine with the Kieser Award and Starz president and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch...

Retiring ABC series “Black-ish” picked up one more honor on Friday, a Humanitas Prize for comedy teleplay, while Apple TV+’s “Pachinko” and ABC’s “Women of the Movement” also were recognized at the event.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and hosted by comedian Larry Wilmore, the 46th annual Humanitas Prize event centered on awards and 10,000 cash prizes to screenwriters across ten categories. In addition, Humanitas board president Jenny Bicks presented Filmmakers for Ukraine with the Kieser Award “in recognition of their work to connect the Ukrainian film and TV community impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War with resources, jobs, and funding to meet basic needs.”

And Jasmine Cephas Jones presented Starz with Voice for Change Award for its #TakeTheLead initiative. Starz president/CEO Jeffrey Hirsch accepted the prize on the network’s behalf. Nkechi Okoro Carroll oversaw the New Voices Fellowship and College Screenwriting Award presentations.

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Lionsgate vice chairman Michael Burns updated Wall Street analysts on Wednesday about current talks with multiple bidders on a possible transaction involving Starz as well as the entire company.

“I can tell you the deeper we’ve gotten into this over the last few months, the more we’re convinced this is the right thing to do,” Burns told the Bank of America 2022 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference, during a session that was webcast.

Lionsgate has been exploring its options for Starz, including a possible separation of the pay TV and streaming business and its studio operations. The goal appears to be creating two standalone companies so investors can value the Starz and studio assets separately.

Burns insisted his studio would not do a speedy or careless deal. “We’re not going to do a dumb deal on one or both sides of the business.

Exclusive: Humanitas said Monday that it will present Starz‘s #TakeTheLead diversity initiative with the 2022 Voice for Change Award, which will be bestowed during the organization’s annual awards luncheon on September 9 in Los Angeles. Jeffrey Hirsch, Starz President and CEO, and Kathryn Busby, Starz President of Original Programming, will accept the award which celebrates the initiative’s commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences.

Today, 29.1 of Starz writers proudly include women of color, 78.9 above the industry average, according to The Center for Scholars and Storytellers, UCLA.

“Starz, through its #TakeTheLead commitment, has become a leader in not only creating but holding space for creatives who have been historically underrepresented in media by centering their essential stories,” said Humanitas Executive Director, Michelle Franke. “Starz’s dedication to representation on and off screen, evidenced in their public Diversity Data, is deeply inspiring, as is the company...

Starz is currently developing an untitled romantic drama from executive producers Ava DuVernay, Lauren Ridloff and Joshua Jackson. Ridloff and Jackson would also star.

If the project is greenlit, it gets a straight-to-series order spanning three seasons and 18 episodes.

Kat Candler (“Queen Sugar”) will write the pilot and serve as executive producer and showrunner. Paul Garnes (“Queen Sugar”) is an executive producer.

Jeffrey Hirsch, the network president and CEO, made the announcement at the company’s first #TakeTheLead Summit.

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A consortium of Abu Dhabi-based companies is set to acquire a controlling stake in subscription streaming service Starzplay Arabia, providing parent company Lionsgate with nearly $50m in return.

The group, which has acquired a stake of approximately 57%, includes UAE investment company Adq and pay-tv operator E-Vision, which is part of e& (previously known as Etisalat Group). It has valued Starzplay Arabia at $420m.

The deal, which remains subject to regulatory approvals, will reduce Lionsgate’s stake from 30% to 13%. Starz and Lionsgate will maintain commercial agreements for content licensing to the venture.

A consortium led by Emirates-based technology and investment group e& has agreed to acquire a majority equity stake in SVOD and streaming platform Starzplay Arabia.

The group, including e&’s E-Vision and Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company Adq, is taking approximately 57% of the Middle East and North Africa service provider based on a post-money valuation of $420M. Until 2022, Lionsgate-owned Starz was the lead investor in Starzplay Arabia along with media and technology investment firms including Seq Investors and Delta Partners. This deal reduces the stake from 30% to 13% and will result in a roughly $50M return.

E-Vision’s existing stake and secondary investments will join the other existing shareholders, including Starz and Seq Investors. Starz and Lionsgate will maintain commercial agreements for content licensing to the venture.

Starzplay Arabia has nearly two million subscribers across 19 countries, giving E-Vision an opportunity to lead in content aggregation and access the fast...

Starz announced on Wednesday that it has greenlit a second season of “Power Book IV: Force,” with Gary Lennon stepping into the showrunner role.

Lennon takes over from Robert Munic who created and helmed the first season. Lennon’s credits include “Power” and “Hightown” (both on Starz), and HBO’s “Euphoria.”

The third spinoff in the popular “Power” franchise follows Joseph Sikora’s Tommy Egan to Chicago. When it bowed on the cable network Feb. 6, it became the most-watched series premiere in the channel’s history with 3.3 million multiplatform views in the U.S. alone, Starz said in a release. It broke viewership records and now has the record for most-watched day on the Starz app and on linear as the highest-rated premiere.

“Fans have been eagerly awaiting Joseph’s return as the iconic ‘Tommy Egan’ and from the show’s record-setting debut, it was clear right away that they...