Starz Distribution

Starz Distribution, formerly IDT Entertainment and Starz Media is the distribution arm of Starz Inc., a subsidiary of Lionsgate, established in 2003. It develops, produces and acquires original programming content branded as Starz Originals, feature films and other audiovisual programming for distribution across television, home video and streaming media.[1]

Starz Distribution
TypeSubsidiary
Industry
Founded2003 (as IDT Entertainment)
HeadquartersBurbank, California, U.S.
Key people
Chris Albrecht, CEO
OwnerLionsgate
ParentStarz Inc.
Divisions
  • Starz Digital
  • Starz Media Sales
Websitewww.starz.com

History

In 2003, IDT Corporation, a telecommunications company based in New Jersey, formed an audiovisual entertainment division known as IDT Entertainment following its acquisition of animation studio Film Roman. Later on in the year, it acquired Anchor Bay Entertainment, owned DPS, and stakes in Mainframe Entertainment and Vanguard Animation, and also acquired DKP Studios and turned it into their own animation studio.

In May 2004, IDT Entertainment purchased a minority share in POW! Entertainment with exclusive distribution rights to POW's animated DVD properties and joint development of 6 cartoon films.[2] In 2005, IDT signed a deal with 20th Century Fox.[3] On May 16, 2006, IDT agreed to sell its IDT Entertainment division to Liberty Media "for all of Liberty Media's interests in IDT, $186 million in cash and the assumption of existing indebtedness."[4] On August 31, 2006, the sale of all of IDT Entertainment's US operations and several international operations was completed. "The remainder of the deal, to include the Canadian and Australian operations, is expected to be closed in the next few weeks after regulatory approval has been given."[5] This sale was completed on September 29, 2006.[6] Liberty then merged IDT Entertainment and its divisions with the Starz cable network to form Starz Media.

On January 4, 2011, The Weinstein Company purchased a 25% stake in the operating unit. While not including TV rights, the deal spans Blu-ray, DVD and VOD, pay-per-view and digital distribution and covers up to 20 TWC and Dimension titles per year. They include The King's Speech, Blue Valentine and Company Men.[7] Starz acquired the 25% stake owned by Weinstein in October 2015.[8]

On January 11, 2013, Liberty Media Corporation completed the "spin-off" of its Starz Entertainment segment as a separate entity. Under this new structure, the entity that was known as "Starz Media" became Starz Distribution.[9]

In November 2015, Waterman Entertainment purchased Film Roman from Starz Distribution.[10]

On December 8, 2016, Lionsgate purchased Starz Inc. for $4.4 billion.[11]

Former assets

Starz Distribution previously held minority stakes in:

Live-action films

Animated films

Starz Distribution/IDT Entertainment have been in charge of the animation production or distribution of the following films:

Theatrical

TV specials

Direct-to-Video

References
  1. "Starz (STRZA.O)". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  2. Graser, Marc (May 7, 2004). "IDT joins Lee in POW! to distrib toon DVDs". Daily Variety. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  3. Fritz, Ben; Brodesser, Claude (June 8, 2005). "IDT animated over 20th". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  4. "IDT Corporation – Press Releases". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  5. UK Film and Television News – Liberty Completes First Stage of IDT Acquisition
  6. "Liberty Completes Final Stage of IDT Entertainment Acquisition". IDT Corporation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  7. "Weinstein Company Acquires 25 Percent Stake in Starz Media". The Hollywood Reporter. January 4, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  8. "Starz - Annual Report". February 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016.
  9. "Liberty Media Corporation and Starz Announce Completion of Spin-Off". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  10. McNary, Dave (November 12, 2015). "'Simpsons' Animator Film Roman Bought by Waterman Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  11. Lieberman, David (December 8, 2016). "Lionsgate Closes Deal To Buy Starz". Deadline. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
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