Lionsgate News
Lionsgate and Ish Entertainment Form New Television Joint Programming Venture
Hirschorn, who was executive vice president of original programming and production at VH1, and Stolper, VH1's former senior vice president of celebrity talent development, recently departed the network to form Ish. The company was launched in January with a commitment for three television series under a first-look deal with MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo. MTV last month green-lit the first project to come out of that deal,
Ish will marry formats and talent, continuing a strategy that helped VH1 launch a host of hit shows, including I LOVE THE 80S, BEST WEEK EVER, HOGAN KNOWS BEST, THE (WHITE) RAPPER SHOW, THE SALT N'
The new joint venture allows Lionsgate to quickly expand its imprint in the area of alternative programming and is the latest in a number of strategic deals, including the Company's acquisition of top television distributor Debmar-Mercury LLC, that underscore the importance of television to Lionsgate's overall business.
The partnership enables Ish to ramp up production much more quickly and efficiently, utilizing Lionsgate's production and distribution expertise and its existing infrastructure. It also furthers the company's objective to develop its profile in scripted and theatrical entertainment.
Hirschorn recently won an Emmy as an executive producer of DMC: MY ADOPTION JOURNEY, a documentary developed under VH1's ROCK DOCS franchise. Hirschorn was also an executive producer of the 2006 theatrical release THE U.S. VS.
"This partnership is an exciting new growth opportunity and makes perfect strategic sense," said
"Our new venture with Ish Entertainment epitomizes our ongoing efforts to develop innovative business models that work both creatively and financially," said
"We did this deal with Lionsgate not only because they are providing the resources we need to grow quickly, but because we can learn from them about how to build an independent business and succeed at the highest levels," said Hirschorn. "The combination of support and autonomy is a dream come true, and it will allow us to expand our activities into other areas of entertainment with the same kind of entrepreneurial spirit that inspired the creation of our company."
"Michael and I are so enthused over our partnership with Lionsgate," said Stolper. "It is a blessing to be in business with a company that gives us the independence to run wild with ideas and develop great shows with top talent, while still functioning as a collective team. This type of collaboration is primed to deliver countless hits in the coming years, on television and beyond."
The television division of Lionsgate has become a significant supplier of content to cable and broadcast networks. Its current TV production slate includes the Golden Globe and Peabody Award-winning series MAD MEN, which will launch its second season on AMC this summer; the critically acclaimed hit comedy WEEDS, which will premiere its fourth season on Showtime
About LIONSGATE(R)
LIONSGATE(R) is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio and is a premier producer and distributor of motion picture, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally-delivered content. Its prestigious and prolific library of nearly 12,000 motion picture titles and television episodes is a stable source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The LIONSGATE(R) brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the globe.
About ISH ENTERTAINMENT
Ish Entertainment was launched in
Media Contacts: For Lionsgate Leah Krantzler The Lippin Group (323) 965-1990 lkrantzler@lippingroup.com For Ish Entertainment Naomi Bulochnikov 310-433-9960 naomi@theish.tv
SOURCE Lionsgate
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