Lionsgate Closes $375m eOne Acquisition

The purchase price is $375 million in cash, plus the assumption of production financing loans.

The acquisition adds 6,500 film and television titles to Lionsgate’s library, diversifies and strengthens its scripted and unscripted television businesses, extends its portfolio of brands and franchises and expands its presence in Canada and the UK.

eOne produces the hit ABC franchise The Rookie, the Showtime series Yellowjackets and the long-running Discovery unscripted series Naked & Afraid. The transaction also includes film development rights to Hasbro’s beloved Monopoly brand.

Lionsgate Studios’ franchise properties include The Hunger Games, John Wick and The Twilight Saga.

Last month, Lionsgate confirmed it will split its studio business and streaming platform in the first quarter.

“The eOne acquisition concludes a busy year in which we continued to execute our strategy of strengthening our studio business as we prepare for the separation of Lionsgate and Starz into pure play standalone companies,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.

“As we’ve conducted our integration planning, our analysis has reaffirmed our conviction that eOne will be a valuable and highly accretive addition to our business. We are pleased to welcome eOne’s talented group of employees to our Lionsgate family.”