Lionsgate Play South Asia Sold to President Jain in Starz Restructure
Overview
Rohit Jain, president of Lionsgate Play Asia, has acquired the South and Southeast Asian streaming platform from Starz Entertainment Corp. The deal places Lionsgate Play under founder-led ownership, targeting Asia's dynamic digital market with an estimated 5 million subscribers and $100 million invested in content. Lionsgate will continue licensing its brand and content.
Ownership Shift
Lionsgate Play, Starz Entertainment Corp.'s streaming service for South and Southeast Asia, has been sold to its own president, Rohit Jain. This strategic divestment moves the platform to founder-led ownership, aiming to capture growth in Asia's rapidly evolving digital entertainment sector.
Strategic Focus
The transaction will see Lionsgate Play operate independently, focusing specifically on regional expansion. Starz will continue to license its brand name and provide access to its extensive library of films and television series under a multi-year agreement. Lionsgate's core film and television operations in India and Southeast Asia will remain separate from this deal.
Market Context
This move occurs amidst intense competition in the Indian streaming market, where major players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and JioHotstar exert significant pressure. Smaller platforms face challenges from rising content costs and the dominance of larger rivals. Lionsgate Play has invested approximately $100 million in content for South Asia and boasts an estimated 5 million subscribers.
Executive Remarks
Lionsgate Chief Operating Officer Brian Goldsmith praised Jain's leadership in building the business over eight years. "Under his stewardship, the Lionsgate brand has gained greater resonance... and Lionsgate Play has emerged as a distinctive premium streaming platform," Goldsmith stated. Jain expressed optimism about expanding beyond Hollywood content, positioning Lionsgate Play as a differentiated, future-ready platform for the region.
