Katniss and Spartacus team up as TV and film companies agree $4.4bn deal

Katniss Everdeen is getting into bed with Spartacus. Or at least, Lionsgate, the company behind the Hunger Games film franchise is buying TV network Starz in an entertainment mega-deal worth $4.4 billion. The deal, unveiled on Thursday morning, creates a new power player in the world of TV and movies. The two companies claim the new business will have a library of 16,000 films and shows and tens of millions of cable subscribers.

Together, Lionsgate and Starz form an entertainment powerhouse with a world-renowned studio that produces blockbuster movies and channels with must-have programming

Starz chairman Greg Maffei

Starz, which produced the blood sandals bonkbuster Spartacus as well as US drama series Power and Outlander, is controlled by cable TV billionaire John Malone. He also owns stakes in concert promoter Live Nation, the Atlanta Braves baseball team and Time Warner, the owner of CNN. Lionsgate’s feature film business has generated over $7 billion at the global box office over the past four years with its Hunger Games films as well as others such as the Divergent franchise, Now You See Me and others. It also produces hit TV programs including Orange Is The New Black.

This transaction unites two companies with strong brands, complementary assets and leading positions within our industry

Lionsgate chief executive Jon Feltheimer

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