Telemundo & Lionsgate Sign Deal to Bring Films to Spanish-Speaking Audiences

Related: Telemundo, Lionsgate, THE HUNGER GAMES

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Telemundo Media announced today that it has licensed the rights to broadcast numerous films from Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company. The multi-year agreement brings the box-office blockbuster, "The Hunger Games," starring Golden Globe-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, to U.S. Spanish-language television audiences for the first time beginning in 2015. Additional films debuting as part of the licensing agreement include "The Last Stand," "The Three Musketeers" and 16 other titles.

"Hispanic audiences are truly passionate about movies and are more likely to go to the theater than any other ethnic group," said Maria Iregui, Vice President of Program Planning and Scheduling, Telemundo Media. "Our agreement with Lionsgate Films will bring blockbuster releases featuring their favorite stars, including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, directly into their living rooms."

"We are delighted to extend and expand our partnership with Telemundo to include numerous current and upcoming films," said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer. "Telemundo is an iconic brand serving the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. entertainment audience, and we believe that these titles will resonate with their viewers for years to come."

This deal extends an ongoing relationship between Telemundo Media and Lionsgate. In the past, Telemundo and Lionsgate have partnered to bring films such as the "Twilight" saga, "The Expendables," "The Expendables 2" and "Red," among others, to the network's millions of Spanish-language viewers in the U.S. Financial terms were not disclosed.

According to Nielsen, Telemundo was the primetime destination for Spanish-language television movie viewers in 2012. The network aired seven of the top 10 movies among adults 18-49 audiences and six of the top 10 movies among total viewers. Telemundo also presented the #1 movies of the year among kids 2-11 and persons 12-17.

And, in an effort to further deepen the movie-going experience for the Hispanic community, Telemundo is also partnering with Fandango to launch 'Fandango Cine,' the first comprehensive and dedicated digital offering designed to reach U.S. Hispanic movie fans. Scheduled to launch later this year, 'Fandango Cine' will be integrated into www.telemundo.com, mun2.tv, and www.fandango.com, and will offer movie-related content in Spanish - all specifically geared toward Hispanic moviegoers. The site will provide Fandango's comprehensive movie show times and unparalleled ticketing access to over 20,000 screens across the country.

According to a 2012 market report by Nielsen National Research Group, movie theater attendance among Hispanic audiences increased 12% in 2012, from 8.5 million in 2011 to 9.5 million last year, representing the largest year-over-year increase of any demographic group. Overall, Hispanics were responsible for 25% of U.S. box office admissions in 2012 with several of the year's hottest films, including Lionsgate's "The Expendables 2," experiencing a significant boost in ticket sales via this growing demographic group.