Episode 97: Lionsgate Courts European Buyers at $4B Valuation

Lionsgate shares surged more than 9% on reports that the studio — home to the Hunger Games and John Wick franchises — is actively working with an investment bank to court European buyers. Named suitors include Banijay (which just closed its All3Media deal), Mediawan, and briefly Bollore, which Variety said would not be bidding. With a market cap now north of $4 billion and Netflix already having denied interest, the field is shaping up as a European consolidation play around one of Hollywood's last independent mid-majors. Key Takeaways: Lionsgate shares jumped more than 9%, hitting an intraday high of $14.79 before settling around $14.07, valuing the studio above $4 billion. Lionsgate is working with an investment bank to assess potential suitors — the studio declined to comment, the standard posture for an active exploratory process. Banijay, which closed its All3Media acquisition just last week, is reportedly among the interested parties — a signal of aggressive European consolidation appetite. Mediawan is also reported as interested; Bollore was floated by Reuters but Variety reported the company would not be bidding, narrowing the apparent field. Netflix, previously reported as a potential suitor, denied interest — clearing the field for European buyers and likely accelerating these conversations. Reuters sources were explicit: a deal is not certain, and Lionsgate could remain independent — no term sheet is close. CEO Jon Feltheimer has publicly acknowledged Lionsgate's scale disadvantage vs. the Hollywood majors, making this an unusually candid strategic signal from a sitting studio head. For agents, producers, and executives with active Lionsgate relationships, the ownership question has direct deal implications. A European buyer — particularly one like Banijay with a content production and distribution focus — means a different counterparty culture, different theatrical priorities, and potentially different relationships with the major streamers. The process is live but early. Watch for whether Banijay moves forward given the timing pressure of a just-closed deal, and whether any American buyers re-enter the conversation as the European field firms up. Subscribe to The Option for daily updates on the business behind the business.