Lionsgate has signed a long-term output deal for a number of high-profile Lionsgate and third-party feature films with China’s largest comprehensive online video platform iQIYI.
The agreement covers subscription video on demand (SVOD) and transactional video on demand (TVOD) rights for films streaming on iQIYI’s platforms, which possess over 500 million unique users. iQIYI will have an exclusive SVOD and TVOD window for Lionsgate theatrical titles covered under the agreement.
The package comprises Lionsgate tentpole titles like The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2, the next film in the Divergent franchise, the Divergent Series: Allegiant, the action thriller Deepwater Horizon starring Mark Wahlberg and awards hopeful Sicario, starring Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin and Emily Blunt.
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The package also includes upcoming releases like The Shack, starring Sam Worthington and Octavia Spencer, and the musical LaLa Land, directed by Whiplash helmer Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.
“We’re thrilled to partner with iQIYI, a major game changer and one of the largest and fastest-growing digital platforms in China,” said Lionsgate executive vp international sales Wendy Reeds in a statement. “They will provide a quality showcase for our slate of high-profile event movies.”
Added Yang Xianghua, senior vp of iQIYI: “In China, more and more people are paying to watch movies online. iQIYI has the largest online movie library in China and we have been actively purchasing premium movie content and building in-depth partnerships with industry players. We have enjoyed a positive long-term relationship with Lionsgate, and with this agreement we are delighted to extend and deepen our cooperation to areas including broadcast, promotion and distribution.”
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