History
In November 2003, IDT Corporation, a telecommunications company based in New Jersey, formed an audiovisual entertainment division known as IDT Entertainment following Digital Production Solutions (DPS)' acquisition of a controlling interest in animation studio Film Roman in May and a minor interest in Vanguard Animation in July. Later on in December, it acquired Troy, Michigan-based home video distributor Anchor Bay Entertainment, and a stake in Mainframe Entertainment, it then formed the NorthStar Entertainment Group, a joint venture with the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), and in January 2004, IDT bought a stake in Archie Comics, then in March, IDT's DPS also acquired Toronto-based DKP Studios for an undisclosed price and turned it into their own animation studio.
In May 2004, IDT Entertainment announced that it would acquire Manga Entertainment and a minority share in POW! Entertainment with exclusive distribution rights to POW's animated DVD properties and joint development of 6 cartoon films. In June 2004, IDT Entertainment founded its international sales division, IDT Entertainment Sales (later renamed as Starz Worldwide). In 2005, IDT signed a distribution deal with 20th Century Fox to release IDT's animated films in North America over a two-year pact; starting with Yankee Irving, which would be retitled as Everyone's Hero and was released in September 2006. On May 16, 2006, IDT agreed to sell its IDT Entertainment division to Liberty Media (then-owners of the Starz Entertainment Group) "for all of Liberty Media's interests in IDT, $186 million in cash and the assumption of existing indebtedness." On August 31, 2006, the sale of all of IDT Entertainment's US operations and several international operations was completed. "The remainder of the deal, to include the Canadian and Australian operations, is expected to be closed in the next few weeks after regulatory approval has been given." This sale was completed on September 29, 2006. Liberty then merged IDT Entertainment and its divisions with the Starz cable network to form Starz Media.
On January 4, 2011, The Weinstein Company purchased a 25% stake in the operating unit. While not including TV rights, the deal spans Blu-ray, DVD and VOD, pay-per-view and digital distribution and covers up to 20 TWC and Dimension titles per year. They include The King's Speech, Blue Valentine and The Company Men. Starz acquired the 25% stake owned by Weinstein in October 2015.
On January 11, 2013, Liberty Media Corporation completed the "spin-off" of its Starz Entertainment segment as a separate entity. Under this new structure, the entity that was known as "Starz Media" became Starz Distribution.
In November 2015, Waterman Entertainment purchased Film Roman from Starz Distribution.
On December 8, 2016, Lionsgate purchased Starz Inc. for $4.4 billion. As part of the acquisition by Lionsgate, Starz Distribution was folded into Lionsgate's respective home entertainment and television distribution units.
