Lionsgate is partnering with Comic-Con International: San Diego on a subscription video-on-demand service that will launch later this year.
The new service will include original short-form content, films and TV series from Lionsgate and other studios along with archived footage from Comic-Con’s 45-year history.
“We’re thrilled that the biggest pop culture event of the year will become a year-round digital channel for Comic-Con fans and audiences around the world,” said Jim Packer, Lionsgate’s president of worldwide television and digital distribution “The fan base for the kind of films and television series showcased at Comic-Con has grown exponentially, and a subscription video-on-demand service is the ideal platform to capture the magic and excitement of the Comic-Con experience year-round as well as the perfect vehicle for Comic-Con fans to discover new content.”
Comic-Con’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations David Glanzer said discussions on the channel began nearly two years ago.
“Working with our Lionsgate partners has been an exciting exercise in finding great ways to expand our horizons to deliver the unique magic of Comic-Con and the celebration of comics and popular art to our fans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and around the world,” he added.
The Comic-Con channel will be the third streaming service to be launched by Lionsgate. The studio has already started the Lionsgate Entertainment World platform with the Alibaba Group in China. This summer, it will launch the Tribeca Shortlist in partnership with Tribeca Enterprises.
Cinedigm launched a ConTV channel a month ago in partnership with Wizard World Comic Con, which operates nearly 30 Comic Cons but is not affiliated with Comic-Con International: San Diego. That partnership was unveiled in February, 2014.
