Lionsgate Studios, Starz Split Now Looking Like April At The Earliest – Update

deadline.com:

UPDATED with separation details: Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer anticipated the long-pending separation of Lionsgate Studios and Starz this spring, April at the earliest. “We’re still in regulatory review of our joint proxy/registration statement with the SEC.

Given this timing, we will need to update the proxy with financials as of December 31, 2024, which will take a few additional weeks.

Pending further SEC review, we expect this would lead to a shareholder meeting in mid to late April with separation shortly thereafter,” he said during a conference call after earnings this afternoon. “Now the industry has reached an inflection point, and the next phase of streaming plays to Starz’s strengths: more bundles, the ability to provide digital services to linear platforms and the opportunity to capitalize on a shifting and disrupted environment to scale its business.” Lionsgate unveiled split plans some time ago but it’s taking longer than many expected to become official.

Asked about that on the call, CFO James Barge said Lionsgate heard back from the SEC this morning with a few more requests and the company is responding, as well as putting together its year-end 2024 financials for the Commission.