Debmar-Mercury’s Marcus & Bernstein Ink New Deal with Lionsgate

MIAMI/SANTA MONICA: Debmar-Mercury’s co-founders and co-presidents, Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, have signed new long-term agreements with Lionsgate.

Marcus and Bernstein have been part of the Lionsgate family since Lionsgate acquired their Debmar-Mercury production and distribution company in 2006. Debmar-Mercury’s roster of programming includes the nationally syndicated Wendy Williams Show; Celebrity Name Game, which Debmar-Mercury co-produces with FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) and distributes in the U.S.; and FMNA’s Steve Harvey-hosted Family Feud, which Debmar-Mercury also distributes in the U.S.

Debmar-Mercury recently announced a three-year renewal of The Wendy Williams Show and the third season renewal of Craig Ferguson-hosted Celebrity Name Game.

“Mort and Ira are fantastic partners and we’re proud to extend our alliance with them for many years to come,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. “They have built a visionary and entrepreneurial company that is the gold standard in television distribution and production, and they are an integral part of the continuing growth, diversification and scalability of our global television operations.”

“Lionsgate has been a great fit for us from the start a decade ago—largely due to the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit Jon created here that still exists today,” said Marcus and Bernstein. “By operating smartly and nimbly, Lionsgate has achieved tremendous growth and we’re proud to have been able to play a part in that. With everything in store, we look forward to many more successes to come in the years ahead.”