Starz Distribution,formerlyIDT Entertainmentfrom 2003 to 2006 andStarz Mediafrom 2006 to 2013, was an American television production, distribution, and syndication company and thedistributionarm ofStarz Inc.,a subsidiary ofLionsgate,established in 2003. It developed, produced and acquired original programming content branded asStarz Originals,feature films and other audiovisual programming for distribution acrosstelevision,home videoandstreaming media.[1]
 | |
| Formerly |
|
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2003(as IDT Entertainment) |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Fate | Folded intoLionsgate Television(TV arm) andLionsgate Home Entertainment(home entertainment arm) |
| Headquarters | Burbank, California,U.S. |
Key people | Jeffrey Hirsch (CEO) |
| Parent | IDT Corporation(2003–2006) Starz Inc.(2006–2016) |
| Divisions |
|
History
editIn November 2003,IDT Corporation,atelecommunications companybased inNew Jersey,formed an audiovisual entertainment division known asIDT Entertainmentfollowing Digital Production Solutions (DPS)' acquisition of a controlling interest in animation studioFilm Romanin May and a minor interest inVanguard Animationin July.[2]Later on in the year, it acquiredTroy,Michigan-based home video distributorAnchor Bay Entertainment,and stakes inMainframe EntertainmentandArchie Comics(in January 2004) and in March 2004, IDT's DPS also acquiredToronto-basedDKP Studiosfor an undisclosed price and turned it into their own animation studio.[3][4]
In May 2004, IDT Entertainment announced that it would acquireManga Entertainmentand a minority share inPOW! Entertainmentwith 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 with20th Century Fox.[9]On May 16, 2006,IDTagreed to sell its IDT Entertainment division toLiberty Media(owners of theStarz 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 theStarzcable network to formStarz 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 andDimensiontitles per year. They includeThe King's Speech,Blue ValentineandCompany 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" becameStarz Distribution.[15]
In November 2015,Waterman EntertainmentpurchasedFilm Romanfrom 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
edit- Mainframe Studios(now owned byWow Unlimited Media)
- Film Roman(now owned byWaterman Entertainment)
- Digital Production Solutions (DPS)
- Global Animation Studio - a division of DPS
- Arc Productions(now owned by Boat Rocker Media asJam Filled Entertainment’s Toronto office).
- POW! Entertainment(5%, now owned by Camsing International Holding)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment(folded intoLionsgate Home Entertainment)
- Manga Entertainment- distribution ofanime(transferred to Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
Starz Distribution previously held minority stakes in:
- Vanguard Animation(minority interest);
- Joint venture with NorthStar Entertainment Group, Inc., a subsidiary of theChristian Broadcasting Network.
Live-action films
edit- Jericho(2001)
- It Waits(2006)
- Room 6(2006)
- Queen Sized(2008)
- Lower Learning(2008)
- Blue Seduction(2009)
- Table for Three(2009)
- The Dog Who Saved Christmas(2009)
- A Nanny for Christmas(2010)
- The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation(2010)
- The Dog Who Saved Halloween(2011)
- Flock of Dudes(2017)
Animated films
editStarz Distribution/IDT Entertainment have been in charge of the animation production or distribution of the following films:
Theatrical
- Hair High(2004; withPlymptoons) (distribution only)
- Everyone's Hero(2006; with20th Century Fox) (international distribution only)
- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie(2008; withBig Idea Productions&Universal Pictures)
- Space Chimps(2008; withVanguard Animation&20th Century Fox) (international distribution only)
- 9(2009; withFocus Features)
TV specials
- The Happy Elf(2005; withFilm RomanandNBC)
- Wubbzy's Big Movie!(2008; withBolder Mediaand Film Roman)
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubb Idol(2009; with Bolder Media and Film Roman)
Direct-to-Video
- Hellboy: Sword of Storms(2006; withRevolution Studios)
- Stan Lee Presents: Mosaic(2007; withPOW Entertainment&Anchor Bay)
- Turok: Son of Stone(2008; withClassic Media,Film Roman,andGenius Products)
- The Haunted World of El Superbeasto(2009; withFilm Roman,Carbunckle Cartoons, andAnchor Bay Films)
- Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic(2010; withProduction I.G)
- The Legend of Secret Pass(2010; with JC2 Animated Entertainment)
- Dead Space: Aftermath(2011; with Pumpkin Studio,Visceral Games,&Electronic Arts)
References
edit- ^"Starz (STRZA.O)".Reuters.Archived fromthe originalon February 25, 2014.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
- ^"IDT Pulls Holdngs Under IDT Ent. Umbrella".Animation World Network(Press release). November 11, 2003.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^"IDT Entertainment Completes Acquisition of Anchor Bay Entertainment".IDT Corporation. December 11, 2003.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^"IDT Entertainment Acquires DKP Effects Digital Production Facility".IDT Corporation. March 16, 2004.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^"Manga fruit of IDT spree".Variety.May 13, 2004.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^"IDT Acquiring Anime Giant Manga Ent".Animation World Network.May 13, 2004.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^Graser, Marc (May 7, 2004)."IDT joins Lee in POW! to distrib toon DVDs".Daily Variety.Archived fromthe originalon November 6, 2012.RetrievedJune 28,2011.
- ^"IDT Entertainment Announces Formation of IDT Entertainment Sales"(Press release). IDT Corporation. June 17, 2004.RetrievedJune 30,2024.
- ^Fritz, Ben; Brodesser, Claude (June 8, 2005)."IDT animated over 20th".Variety.RetrievedSeptember 30,2020.
- ^"IDT Corporation – Press Releases".Archived fromthe originalon July 23, 2011.RetrievedMarch 18,2009.
- ^UK Film and Television News – Liberty Completes First Stage of IDT Acquisition
- ^"Liberty Completes Final Stage of IDT Entertainment Acquisition".IDT Corporation.Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2006.RetrievedMay 15,2017.
- ^"Weinstein Company Acquires 25 Percent Stake in Starz Media".The Hollywood Reporter.January 4, 2011.RetrievedMarch 28,2016.
- ^"Starz - Annual Report".February 22, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon February 29, 2016.
- ^"Liberty Media Corporation and Starz Announce Completion of Spin-Off".Reuters.Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 11,2013.
- ^McNary, Dave (November 12, 2015)."'Simpsons' Animator Film Roman Bought by Waterman Entertainment ".Variety.RetrievedNovember 20,2015.
- ^Lieberman, David (December 8, 2016)."Lionsgate Closes Deal To Buy Starz".Deadline.RetrievedDecember 9,2016.
- ^Aycock, Jason (October 28, 2016)."Filing: Starz CFO to leave as Lions Gate merger wraps".Seeking Alpha.RetrievedOctober 30,2016.