A+E & Lionsgate’s Partnership Now Includes Global DVD Distribution

A+E Networks has expanded its long-term U.S. home-entertainment partnership with Lionsgate through a new deal that covers worldwide physical DVD distribution rights for its portfolio of brands, including A&E, Lifetime, LMN and FYI.

As part of the multiyear agreement, Lionsgate will distribute a range of scripted, factual and movie content from A+E Networks’ catalog across packaged media platforms around the world. The deal marks the first-ever global home-entertainment DVD deal for A+E. A+E Networks will continue to directly distribute its products across linear, SVOD, download-to-own and other platforms. The agreement encompasses thousands of hours of premium original and acquired content from A+E Networks’ library of series, specials and movies, including Whitney, Britney Ever After and Beaches. It also covers a slate of new HISTORY dramas, including SIX and the upcoming Knightfall. The first title to be distributed under the agreement will be HISTORY’s miniseries Roots this July in the U.K. Lionsgate and A+E Networks first partnered in 2012 with a multiyear home-entertainment deal that saw Lionsgate distribute A+E Networks’ titles in the U.S.

“This newly expanded agreement is a natural evolution of our longtime partnership with Lionsgate and reflects our commitment to growing our global home entertainment category,” said Jill Tully, the VP of brand licensing at A+E Networks. “With Lionsgate’s DVD distribution expertise and A+E Networks’ robust content pipeline, we will continue to develop and market a dynamic packaged media program to meet the ever-increasing global demand for premium entertainment.”

“We’re pleased to broaden our successful partnership with A+E Networks to bring their extensive portfolio to a global audience,” said Lionsgate’s president of home entertainment, Ron Schwartz. “A+E Networks’ rich content provides an excellent opportunity to continue to expand our distribution footprint around the world.”