Marking a significant entertainment sector development, Lionsgate has finalized its acquisition of eOne from Hasbro in a $375 million deal. The purchase, announced December 27, greatly diversifies Lionsgate’s intellectual property assets and strengthens its content library.
The studio gains over 6,500 film and television titles from eOne’s deep portfolio, adding shows like ABC’s “The Rookie,” Showtime’s “Yellowjackets” and Discovery’s survival hit “Naked & Afraid.” Lionsgate also assumes feature film development rights around Hasbro’s popular Monopoly board game franchise. However, brands like “Transformers” and “Peppa Pig” were not included.
For Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, owning eOne enhances the company’s global footprint and production capabilities, especially in key markets like Canada and the UK. This supports future growth into new regions as Lionsgate splits off its Starz subsidiary.
On the seller’s side, shedding eOne enables Hasbro to sharpen focus on core toy and game assets rather than content production. This move, along with recent layoffs, aim to cut costs after its initial $3.8 billion eOne purchase back in 2019.
With amplified library scale and incoming IP, Lionsgate strengthens its hand as an agile force in the rapidly evolving media landscape. The new assets provide crucial ammunition to compete across a range of new digital platforms and distributors rising globally. This ambitious deal illustrates Lionsgate’s commitment to long-term diversification.
