Lionsgate Content Heading to China’s iQIYI

SANTA MONICA/BEIJING: A string of U.S. blockbusters such as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 and Allegiant are scheduled to launch on Chinese online video platform iQIYI following a deal with Lionsgate.

As part of the long-term output deal, iQIYI will have an exclusive SVOD and TVOD window for Lionsgate theatrical titles covered under the agreement. The package includes Lionsgate franchises, potential tentpoles and star-driven event films, among them the action thriller Deepwater Horizon and the musical romance LaLa Land.

“We’re thrilled to partner with iQIYI, a major game changer and one of the largest and fastest-growing digital platforms in China,” said Wendy Reeds, Lionsgate’s executive VP of international sales. “They will provide a quality showcase for our slate of high-profile event movies, and our agreement underscores our commitment to innovation and leadership in delivering premium content to online audiences around the world.”

Yang Xianghua, the senior VP of iQIYI, said: “In China, more and more people are paying to watch movies online. iQIYI has the largest online movie library in China and we have been actively purchasing premium movie content and building in-depth partnerships with industry players. We have enjoyed a positive long-term relationship with Lionsgate and with this agreement we are delighted to extend and deepen our cooperation to areas including broadcast, promotion and distribution. We hope that this cooperation between Lionsgate and iQIYI will not only bring Chinese users an even better selection of premium movies but will also promote more innovative partnerships in China’s online video industry."