By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief While the rest of us were chowing down on leftover turkey and napping on the in-law's couch in a tryptophan-induced coma, Hasbro and Lionsgate were busy inking a deal for the sale of Entertainment One. Hasbro announced on December 27 it had completed the sale to Lionsgate for $375 million in cash, with Liongate also assuming all current … [Read more...] about The Story Behind Hasbro’s Holiday Sale of Entertainment One
Lionsgate
Lionsgate and IMG are Releasing Licensed Products For John Wick: Chapter 4
By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterLionsgate has partnered with IMG to create a massive consumer products program for the theatrical release of John Wick: Chapter 4.John Wick: Chapter 4 is the latest installment of Lionsgate's John Wick action-thriller film franchise starring Keanu Reeves as the titular character. In the film, the professional assassin John Wick works to defeat a … [Read more...] about Lionsgate and IMG are Releasing Licensed Products For John Wick: Chapter 4
Planned Feature Films with Licensing Potential
Throughout the year, we feature upcoming movie properties with potential for licensing. All of the release dates for movies on the list have been checked against multiple sources, but there is still a high probability dates will change. The further in the future a film is, the more likely its release date is to move. Don't see a property that should be featured here? Contact … [Read more...] about Planned Feature Films with Licensing Potential
Upcoming 2019 Flicks With Licensing Potential Dominated by Comics & Sequels
By: Karina Masolova, with additional research by Susan Adams. Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Of the upcoming films that TLL has identified as having licensing potential, 27% are based on comics while 28% are original works. And 56% are sequels or reboots. See the full list of 189 films being released through 2025. Just over one-third of films on the list … [Read more...] about Upcoming 2019 Flicks With Licensing Potential Dominated by Comics & Sequels
Who’s News
Lionsgate promotes Kerry Phelan to President Global Franchise Management. Phelan is tasked with managing upcoming projects including Lionsgate Movie World in Korea, the Lionsgate Entertainment World indoor theme park in China, and the Lionsgate Entertainment City centers set to bow in the U.S. and Europe. Warner Bros. Consumer Products U.K. & Ireland appoints Rachel Wakley … [Read more...] about Who’s News
M&A & Theme Parks
The VF Corp. acquires global workwear company Williamson-Dickie for approximately $820 million. Williamson-Dickie's brands—Dickies, Workrite, Kodiak, Terra, and Walls—will join VF’s Imagewear coalition, which includes Wrangler, Riggs Workwear, and Timberland Pro. The transaction is expected to be complete in Q4 of this year, and Williamson-Dickie CEO Philip Williamson will … [Read more...] about M&A & Theme Parks
M&A & Investments
Discovery Communications will buy Scripps Networks Interactive for $11.9 billion early next year. The deal includes the assumption of $2.7 billion of Scripps’s net debt. Hasbro ends talks to buy out Lions Gate Entertainment, reportedly because of price disagreements. This comes after ultimately failed negotiations to buy out DreamWorks Animation in 2014, which was ultimately … [Read more...] about M&A & Investments
Star Wars Demonstrates Power of Franchises for Licensing, Theaters
By Marcy Magiera As this story was being written and The Licensing Letter’s semi-annual chart of movies with licensing potential compiled, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was breaking advance ticket sales records two months ahead of its Dec. 18 opening. Online ticketing sites Fandango and MovieTickets.com reportedly crashed for some users under the heavy traffic when tickets went … [Read more...] about Star Wars Demonstrates Power of Franchises for Licensing, Theaters
Her Universe on TV
Lionsgate will launch the reality series “Her Universe Fashion Show” as the first original content on its Comic-Con International subscription streaming service next year. The show will follow contestants as they design outfits and plan to model them at Comic-Con next year. Her Universe, founded by actress Ashley Eckstein, who voices Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, … [Read more...] about Her Universe on TV
Licensing of Entertainment Properties for Virtual Reality Products
Hollywood is getting into virtual reality. VR was all the rage at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where festival goers reportedly waited in line for hours to experience the VR flight simulator “Birdly.” And this was just one of almost a dozen VR displays at Sundance, most of which used the pricey and cutting edge Oculus Rift “head-mounted display” to create their … [Read more...] about Licensing of Entertainment Properties for Virtual Reality Products