Lionsgate widens distribution pact with Celestial

Lionsgate and Celestial Tiger Entertainment have widened the scope of their programme sales pact. Celestial will now distribute Lionsgate content throughout China and Southeast Asia.

Anger Management

The deal means that Celestial will be shopping Lionsgate TV titles including Anger Management and Weeds to broadcasters in China, Japan, Korean and the rest of the region. It will also distribute features including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Celestial sealed several deals earlier this year for VOD rights to Lionsgate content with major platforms in China including iQIYI, Sohu, YOU On Demand and Youku.

CTE is a joint venture between Saban Capital Group, Celestial Pictures, which is in turn owned by Malaysian pay TV operator by Astro, and Lionsgate.

“Our licensing business in Greater China and Southeast Asia has grown exponentially this past year and we are excited to now represent Lionsgate’s fantastic slate of television programs as well as Lionsgate’s prolific library, including Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment titles, in all of East Asia,” said Wendy Reeds, CTE’s executive VP, content sales and distribution.