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Lionsgate Boss To Move His Shows To TV Guide Net

  • Variety, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 9:30 AM
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer can see the day when much of his studio's programming moves directly to the TV Guide Network, which his company bought for $255 million earlier this year. Lionsgate currently has Emmy-winning "Mad Men" at AMC, plus "Weeds" and new series "Nurse Jackie" at Showtime. Feltheimer did not clarify whether he would move existing shows to TV Guide Network or just launch new shows there. "You have to protect your turf," he says.

Even though "Mad Men" doesn't reach a mass audience, Feltheimer says AMC's premium license fee and international sales make the show profitable. The company recently finished a hard-fought deal with the show's star Matthew Weiner. Lionsgate will earn about $300 million from its TV division this year, says Feltheimer.

On the subject of video-on-demand and day-and-date delivery of big-screen theatricals, Feltheimer says that current price points may be too low on a big-budget film. Eventually, $50 will become an acceptable figure for consumers, who would watch the film on a 50-plus inch screen at home and invite friends, he says.

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