Michael Jackson biopic will be the biggest hit we’ll ever produce, says Lionsgate executive

Jim Packer, Lionsgate's television distribution president, is confident in the franchise potential of the studio's upcoming spin-off, highlighting the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic and the Hunger Games series as key assets.

The spin-off will focus on producing and distributing film and TV content, leveraging its intellectual property to create blockbuster hits.

Packer pointed to the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," as a potential box office record-breaker for the studio. He also emphasised the continued success of the Hunger Games franchise, comparing its financial importance to Lionsgate to that of Harry Potter for Warner Bros.

Packer's strategy relies heavily on the theatrical success of these films, as his distribution team focuses on selling titles across various platforms after their initial release. With the rise of streaming and FAST channels, Lionsgate has a growing number of potential buyers for its content.

Despite having its own premium streaming service, Starz, Lionsgate remains platform-agnostic, selling its content to various rivals. Packer emphasised that the studio is open to doing business with everyone, but the size of the platform and the financial offer are key factors in licensing decisions.

The emergence of ad-supported streaming tiers has added another layer of complexity to content licensing deals. Now, buyers consider whether previous platforms sold ads against the content, as they need to do the same.