Steven Paul Invests In Lionsgate Joint Venture Amid Studio Sale Chatter
Steven Paul’s SP Media and Lionsgate have agreed to form a joint venture focused on investing in new businesses and producing independent films. The deal gives Lionsgate a route to expand its content platform and gives SP Media access to the studio’s distribution network, as Lionsgate attracts takeover interest amid industry consolidation.
The companies did not disclose the terms, but an industry insider said Paul is expected to lead an investment of about $100 million. Lionsgate will hold a majority stake and control the venture; SP Media will produce films for Lionsgate to distribute, and the partnership could also support growth across businesses including 3 Arts Entertainment. Lionsgate separated from Starz in 2025 and has a library of 20,000 film and television titles.
In short
- SP Media and Lionsgate are forming a joint venture.
- Steven Paul is expected to lead about $100 million in investment.
- Lionsgate will control the venture and distribute its films.
Explained simply
Lionsgate is a film and television studio that makes and distributes programmes and films, and owns a library of about 20,000 titles. It separated from the Starz television network in 2025 as the entertainment industry was changing through mergers and other deals.
Steven Paul runs SP Media, which works in film production and investment. Under the planned partnership, SP Media would make independent films for Lionsgate to distribute, while the companies would also invest in new businesses; reported investment plans have not been confirmed by the companies.
The arrangement links SP Media’s production work with Lionsgate’s distribution network. It comes as Lionsgate is attracting interest from potential buyers, against a wider backdrop of consolidation among entertainment companies.