• by Fern Siegel , August 6, 2008

Lionsgate and Disney-ABC Television have teamed up to distribute titles from the ABC library. The first show released under the agreement is "According to Jim: Season One," available on DVD on Oct. 21. The deal enhances Lionsgate's DVD business, which experienced double-digit growth from 2006-07.

Other shows released under the new agreement include "Hope & Faith," "8 Simple Rules...for Dating My Teenage Daughter," "Boy Meets World, "October Road," "My Wife & Kids" and "Six Degrees."

"We continue to look for key brands to expand and grow our TV on DVD business," said Ron Schwartz, general manager and executive vice president, Lionsgate Home Entertainment. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to add these popular ABC Studios series to our library." The company also recently announced a first-look partnership with Comcast Entertainment, which gives it distribution rights to series on E! Entertainment Television, the Style Network and G4.

Lionsgate just released the third season of "Weeds," the first season of the award-winning AMC series "Mad Men" and "Tyler Perry's House of Payne: Volume 2." Lionsgate DVD releases of the first and second seasons of "Weeds" both finished the year in the top 40 among all TV on DVD releases.