Lionsgate Television
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | July 1997 |
| Founder | Frank Giustra |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Kevin Beggs (Chairman and Chief Creative Officer) |
| Parent | Lionsgate Studios |
Lionsgate Television serves as the television production branch of the American entertainment firm Lionsgate Studios.
History
Established in July 1997 under the name Lions Gate Television, Inc. alongside Lionsgate Films, the company broadened its scope in June 1998 by acquiring Termite Art Productions, a producer specializing in documentaries and reality content. This subsidiary was later divested in 2004 and rebranded as Creative Differences.
In September 1997, Lionsgate purchased Mandalay Television and obtained a minority interest in Mandalay Entertainment. However, the partnership ended in 2002, with Lionsgate selling its shares in Mandalay Television by April 1999.
Lions Gate Television transitioned into an incorporated company in March 1999. By January 2003, it had entered into a collaboration with New Line Television to create twenty television movies.
On July 12, 2006, Lionsgate ventured into television syndication through acquiring Debmar–Mercury, a distribution firm that had previously handled syndication for its film catalog. Advertising sales for Debmar–Mercury’s shows were managed by 20th Television, except for Meet the Browns, where ad sales were overseen by Disney–ABC Domestic Television and distribution was managed by Turner Television Co.
On March 13, 2012, Lionsgate Television established Sea to Sky Entertainment, a joint venture equally owned with Thunderbird Films, which was founded by Lionsgate’s chairman and founder, Frank Giustra. Kevin Beggs holds the position of chairman and chief creative officer (CCO), making him the longest-serving television studio chairman currently active.