Celestial Tiger Entertainment Expands Content Distribution Business with Lionsgate to All of East Asia

HONG KONG, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE), one of Asia's largest vertically integrated independent entertainment companies, announced today that it has expanded its content distribution business with Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, to cover all of East Asia. In addition to representing Lionsgate exclusively in Greater China and Southeast Asia, CTE will now be distributing all Lionsgate television content as well as Lionsgate's vast library of feature films to Japan and Korea.

Since the formation of CTE, the company's licensing team, led by Executive Vice President Wendy Reeds, has concluded numerous licensing deals such as all-rights deals (including theatrical rights) for Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment's upcoming feature films The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Red 2 in Southeast Asia. 

The licensing team also concluded several deals earlier this year for Video On Demand (VOD) rights with major platforms in China including iQIYI, Sohu, YOU On Demand and Youku. These deals greatly expanded the presence of Lionsgate's library in China, tapping into a burgeoning online video market valued at over 2 billion RMB.  

"Our licensing business in Greater China and Southeast Asia has grown exponentially this past year and we are excited to now represent Lionsgate's fantastic slate of television programs as well as Lionsgate's prolific library, including Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment titles, in all of East Asia," said Wendy Reeds, CTE's Executive Vice President, Content Sales and Distribution.

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture and television program production and distribution, and investments in various entertainment businesses including a stake in Celestial Tiger Entertainment. With the recent acquisition of Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate now brings together two leading young adult franchises - the blockbuster Twilight Saga and The Hunger Games, which have grossed more than US$2.5 billion and nearly US$700 million at the worldwide box office respectively. Lionsgate also produces some of the most critically-acclaimed television series, including the multiple Emmy© Award-winning Mad Men, and the new series Anger Management, starring Charlie Sheen, which achieved the highest ratings for a scripted comedy series in cable history when it premiered in the U.S. this past June.

Media Contact:
Pauline Poon
Celestial Tiger Entertainment
T: 852 2239 6131
E: pauline.poon@celestialtiger.com

About Celestial Tiger Entertainment

CELESTIAL TIGER ENTERTAINMENT (CTE) is a diversified media company dedicated to entertaining audiences in Asia and beyond. The company focuses on the operation of branded pay television channels, content creation and content distribution targeted at Asian consumers.

CTE operates a powerful bouquet of distinct pay television channels including: CELESTIAL MOVIES, the most broadly distributed 24-hour Chinese and Asian movies channel in the world; CELESTIAL CLASSIC MOVIES, the gateway to an unparalleled array of Chinese movie masterpieces; CELESTIAL MOVIES ON DEMAND, Celestial's subscription Video On Demand service; KIX, the ultimate in action entertainment; Thrill, Asia's only horror and suspense movie channel; and KIX HD, featuring the best of action with a late-night dose of thrillers in high definition.

As one of Asia's largest vertically integrated independent entertainment companies, CTE produces original content which complements its channels business. CTE is also the exclusive sales agent for Hollywood studio Lionsgate in Greater China and Southeast Asia, and represents Lionsgate's television content and vast feature film library in Japan and Korea as well.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, CTE is a joint venture among Saban Capital Group, a leading private investment firm specializing in the media, entertainment and communications industries; Celestial Pictures, a major Asian entertainment company wholly-owned by Astro, the owner and operator of the leading DTH platform in Malaysia; and Lionsgate, the world's largest independent filmed entertainment studio.

SOURCE Celestial Tiger Entertainment