Lionsgate Studios, Starz Split On Track For Mid To Late April Close, CFO Says – Update

deadline.com:

Lionsgate CFO James Barge said today the company is on track to close the separation of Lionsgate Studios and Starz by mid-to-late April.

During a Q&A at the Morgan Stanley media conference, he said the split has been in the works for a long time but was held up by one thing or another. “We didn’t know there would be a pandemic, writer strikes and and then, somewhere along the way, we made a fantastic acquisition of eOne.

So there have been quite a few things. But we are definitely there. We’re on we’re on track for a mid to late April close,” Barge said.

He said the rationale for the deal — unlocking shareholder value for both sides of the business — is as strong as ever. “You’re seeing a lot of people in the industry starting to segregate out their their linear business.