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Starz Distribution

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Starz Distribution
Formerly
  • IDT Entertainment (2003–2006)
  • Starz Media (2007–2013)
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003) (as IDT Entertainment)
Defunct2016; 8 years ago (2016)
Fatefolded into Lionsgate Television (TV arm) and Lionsgate Home Entertainment (home entertainment arm)
HeadquartersBurbank, California, U.S.
Key people
Jeffrey Hirsch (CEO)
ParentIDT Corporation (2003–2006)
Starz Inc. (2006–2016)
Divisions
  • Starz Digital
  • Starz Media Sales
Starz Media's former headquarters office in Burbank

Starz Distribution, formerly IDT Entertainment from 2003 to 2006 and Starz Media from 2006 to 2013, was an American television production, distribution, and syndication company and the distribution arm of Starz Inc., a subsidiary of Lionsgate, established in 2003. It developed, produced and acquired original programming content branded as Starz Originals, feature films and other audiovisual programming for distribution across television, home video and streaming media.[1]

History

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In November 2003, IDT Corporation, a telecommunications company based in New Jersey, formed an audiovisual entertainment division known as IDT Entertainment following Digital Production Solutions (DPS)' acquisition of a controlling interest in animation studio Film Roman in May and a minor interest in Vanguard Animation in July.[2] Later on in the year, it acquired Troy, Michigan-based home video distributor Anchor Bay Entertainment, and stakes in Mainframe Entertainment and Archie Comics (in January 2004) and in March 2004, IDT's DPS also acquired Toronto-based DKP Studios for an undisclosed price and turned it into their own animation studio.[3][4]

In May 2004, IDT Entertainment announced that it would acquire Manga Entertainment and a minority share in POW! Entertainment with exclusive distribution rights to POW's animated DVD properties and joint development of 6 cartoon films.[5][6][7] In June 2004, IDT Entertainment founded its international sales division, IDT Entertainment Sales (later renamed as Starz Worldwide).[8] In 2005, IDT signed a deal with 20th Century Fox.[9] On May 16, 2006, IDT agreed to sell its IDT Entertainment division to Liberty Media (owners of the Starz Entertainment Group) "for all of Liberty Media's interests in IDT, $186 million in cash and the assumption of existing indebtedness."[10] 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."[11] This sale was completed on September 29, 2006.[12] 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.[13] Starz acquired the 25% stake owned by Weinstein in October 2015.[14]

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.[15]

In November 2015, Waterman Entertainment purchased Film Roman from Starz Distribution.[16]

On December 8, 2016, Lionsgate purchased Starz Inc. for $4.4 billion.[17] As part of the acquisition by Lionsgate, Starz Distribution was folded into Lionsgate's respective home entertainment and television distribution units. [18]

Former assets

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Starz Distribution previously held minority stakes in:

Live-action films

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Animated films

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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

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  1. ^ "Starz (STRZA.O)". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  2. ^ "IDT Pulls Holdngs Under IDT Ent. Umbrella". Animation World Network (Press release). November 11, 2003. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  3. ^ "IDT Entertainment Completes Acquisition of Anchor Bay Entertainment". IDT Corporation. December 11, 2003. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "IDT Entertainment Acquires DKP Effects Digital Production Facility". IDT Corporation. March 16, 2004. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "Manga fruit of IDT spree". Variety. May 13, 2004. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "IDT Acquiring Anime Giant Manga Ent". Animation World Network. May 13, 2004. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "IDT Entertainment Announces Formation of IDT Entertainment Sales" (Press release). IDT Corporation. June 17, 2004. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Fritz, Ben; Brodesser, Claude (June 8, 2005). "IDT animated over 20th". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "IDT Corporation – Press Releases". Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  11. ^ UK Film and Television News – Liberty Completes First Stage of IDT Acquisition
  12. ^ "Liberty Completes Final Stage of IDT Entertainment Acquisition". IDT Corporation. Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  13. ^ "Weinstein Company Acquires 25 Percent Stake in Starz Media". The Hollywood Reporter. January 4, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  14. ^ "Starz - Annual Report". February 22, 2016. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016.
  15. ^ "Liberty Media Corporation and Starz Announce Completion of Spin-Off". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  16. ^ McNary, Dave (November 12, 2015). "'Simpsons' Animator Film Roman Bought by Waterman Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  17. ^ Lieberman, David (December 8, 2016). "Lionsgate Closes Deal To Buy Starz". Deadline. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  18. ^ Aycock, Jason (October 28, 2016). "Filing: Starz CFO to leave as Lions Gate merger wraps". Seeking Alpha. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
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