Starz Distribution
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production, distribution, and syndication |
| Predecessor | IDT Entertainment |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Parent | Starz Inc. (subsidiary of Lionsgate as of 2016) |
Starz Distribution, previously known as IDT Entertainment and later Starz Media, operated as a U.S.-based company specializing in television production, distribution, and syndication. It functioned as the distribution division of Starz Inc., itself a subsidiary of Starz Entertainment. Founded in 2003, the company was involved in the development, production, and acquisition of original content under the Starz Originals brand, including feature films and various audiovisual materials for television broadcast, home video release, and digital streaming services.
History
In November 2003, New Jersey telecommunications firm IDT Corporation established an entertainment branch named IDT Entertainment, following its acquisition of controlling interests in animation studio Film Roman and minority ownership in Vanguard Animation. That same year, IDT expanded its portfolio by purchasing home video distributor Anchor Bay Entertainment along with stakes in Mainframe Studios and Archie Comics. By March 2004, IDT's Digital Production Solutions division acquired Toronto-based DKP Studios, thereby creating an in-house animation studio.
In May 2004, IDT Entertainment further broadened its reach by acquiring Manga Entertainment and obtaining a minority stake in POW! Entertainment. This deal granted exclusive distribution rights to POW!’s animated DVD properties and initiated a partnership to co-develop six animated feature films. The company also launched its international sales arm, initially called IDT Entertainment Sales and later rebranded as Starz Worldwide, in June 2004. The following year, IDT secured a two-year agreement with 20th Century Fox for North American distribution of its animated movies, commencing with Yankee Irving.
On May 16, 2006, Liberty Media—owners of Starz Entertainment Group—agreed to acquire IDT Entertainment for $186 million plus debt assumption. The transaction finalized on September 29, 2006, after which Liberty merged IDT Entertainment with the Starz cable network to create Starz Media.
On January 4, 2011, The Weinstein Company acquired a 25% equity interest in Starz Media’s operating unit responsible for Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, pay-per-view, and digital distribution for up to twenty TWC and Dimension Films titles annually. This stake was repurchased by Starz in October 2015.
Following Liberty Media’s spin-off of its Starz segment on January 11, 2013, the company was renamed Starz Distribution. In November 2015, Waterman Entertainment purchased Film Roman from Starz Distribution.
On December 8, 2016, Lionsgate completed its $4.4 billion acquisition of Starz Inc., subsequently integrating Starz Distribution into Lionsgate’s home entertainment and television distribution operations.
Former assets
- Mainframe Studios (currently under ownership of Wow Unlimited Media)
- Film Roman (now held by Waterman Entertainment)
- Digital Production Solutions (DPS)
- Global Animation Studio – a subdivision of DPS
- Arc Productions (now incorporated into Blue Ant Media as Jam Filled’s Toronto location)
- POW! Entertainment (5% stake; presently owned by Camsing International Holding)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (merged into Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
- Manga Entertainment – anime distribution rights transferred to Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Starz Distribution maintained minority investments in:
- Vanguard Animation;
- A joint venture with NorthStar Entertainment Group, affiliated with the Christian Broadcasting Network.
Live-action films
- 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
Starz Distribution/IDT Entertainment was involved in the production or distribution of the following:
Theatrical releases
- Hair High (2004; in partnership with Plymptoons) (distribution only)
- Everyone's Hero (2006; alongside 20th Century Fox) (international distribution only)
- The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie (2008; collaboration with Big Idea Productions and Universal Pictures)
- Space Chimps (2008; with Vanguard Animation and 20th Century Fox) (international distribution only)
- 9 (2009; co-produced with Focus Features)
Television specials
- The Happy Elf (2005; produced with Film Roman and NBC)
- Wubbzy's Big Movie! (2008; in association with Bolder Media and Film Roman)
- Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Wubb Idol (2009; produced alongside Bolder Media and Film Roman)
Direct-to-video releases
- Hellboy: Sword of Storms (2006; produced with Revolution Studios)
- Stan Lee Presents: Mosaic (2007; in collaboration with POW! Entertainment and Anchor Bay)
- Turok: Son of Stone (2008; co-produced by Classic Media, Film Roman, and Genius Products)
- The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2009; produced alongside Film Roman, Carbunckle Cartoons, and Anchor Bay Films)
- Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic (2010; created with Production I.G)
- The Legend of Secret Pass (2010; in partnership with JC2 Animated Entertainment)
- Dead Space: Aftermath (2011; collaboration between Pumpkin Studio, Visceral Games, and Electronic Arts)