• July 12, 2007

Lionsgate has made an unspecified equity investment in video-sharing startup Break.com, the independent production studio said Wednesday.

With the deal, Lionsgate hopes to better distribute clips from its existing library of more than 11,000 movies and TV episodes.

Break.com, popular among young males, presently reaches more than 17 million monthly unique visitors.

The investment will also give Lionsgate access to Break's young "talent" pool, and potential programming development opportunities in the future.

"Break is one of the freshest and most original platforms for content in the new media space," Jon Feltheimer, Lionsgate co-chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "They serve a large niche that we know well, and they are another entrepreneurial partner whose culture, business plan, and creative sensibilities blend seamlessly with our own."

Lionsgate first dealt with Break as an advertiser, according to Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns.

Founded in 1998, Break currently has original content partnerships with NBC Digital Studios, Endemol and Twisted Pictures.