Momentum Pictures and Orion Releasing have entered into a multi-picture agreement to jointly acquire and distribute specialized multiplatform releases in the U.S. and select international territories. Entertainment One (eOne) is reintroducing its Momentum Pictures banner and reviving the successful film brand as a new distinct label focused on securing great films for digital and ancillary exploitation on a global basis. The first films to be distributed in select theaters and other platforms will include THE Wannabe, written and directed by Nick Sandow and Ava’s Possessions, written and directed by Jordan Galland.
NBCUniversal International announced a multi-year movie licensing deal with Chinese mega e-commerce company, Alibaba Group. Terms of the pact remain classified, but it will include titles from Universal Pictures’ new release and library slates, to be made available on Alibaba’s TMall Box Office service starting later this month, kicking off with blockbusters Furious 7 and Jurassic World. The licensing deal is part of Alibaba’s latest efforts to grow its entertainment business to encompass film, TV and gaming. To that effort, Alibaba previously invested in Paramount’s Mission: Impossible 5 and launched the streaming service, TBO.
Fox is expected to close a deal later this year that will pay National Geographic $725 million in cash and equity to control The National Geographic Society’s other media assets, including their magazine, cable channels, National Geographic Studios, digital and social media platforms. Upon deal close, Fox will have a 73% stake in the joint venture to be named, National Geographic Partners. The venture will double NatGeo’s endowment to around $1 billion, allowing it to increase its investments in science, research, and education.
Media General has agreed to pay Meredith in a $2.4 billion cash and equity deal that will move Media General up to the number three TV station owner considering its reach in 88 outlets and 54 markets, or roughly 30% of viewers. RBC Capital Markets and JPMorgan Chase are financing the deal that will see the company renamed as Meredith Media General. The deal includes Meredith’s magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens and Shape. Meredith’s Stephen Lacy will be named the new company’s CEO with Joseph Ceryanec to be named their CFO.
Former Atlas Ent. EVP, Alan Glazer, is launching Trimax Media to develop feature films, television, digital content and applications. The company already has an overhead deal with Dominant Entertainment for production financing along with an unnamed private equity investor. The venture is slated to produce and finance three films per year in the $5 to 40 million dollar range. Strategic financial partner, Jesus Lorenzo Nevarez, with 27 years of experience, will oversee the financing.
Netflix Spain has signed its first distribution deal with telecommunications company Vodafone Spain that will integrate the streaming service into its platform. Vodafone TV subscribers will be able to access Netflix content using set-top boxes, as well as tablets and smartphones.
The 400 title strong library of producer-financier Exclusive Media Group has been majority sold to AMBI, the group of vertically integrated film development, production, finance and distribution companies, in a deal in partnership with private equity firm Raven Capital Management. As part of the deal AMBI will also control projects in active development along with any sequels or remakes to library titles. The library includes films such as Memento, The Skulls, Sliding Doors and End of Watch. Exclusive was previously overseeing the rights sales of Venice and TIFF stand-out Black Mass and Equals, starring Kristen Stewart.