Lionsgate Television
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Lionsgate Television is the television division of the American production company Lionsgate Studios.
History
The company was established in July 1997 as Lions Gate Television, Inc. with the establishment of Lionsgate Films. In June 1998, it acquired documentary/reality production company Termite Art Productions but that company was itself acquired by Erik Nelson in September 2004 and renamed Creative Differences.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The company acquired Mandalay Television in September 1997,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before acquiring a minority investment in Mandalay Entertainment outright before splitting in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lionsgate sold off its shares in Mandalay Television in April 1999.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March 1999, Lions Gate Television, Inc. became an incorporated entity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2003, Lionsgate and New Line Television set up a partnership to provide twenty motion pictures designed for television.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On July 12, 2006, Lionsgate expanded into television syndication when the company acquired television distribution company Debmar–Mercury.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Debmar–Mercury syndicated the film library before the acquisition.
20th Television handled advert sales to the series distributed by Debmar–Mercury with the exception of Meet the Browns, as the advert sales are handled by Disney–ABC Domestic Television with Turner Television Co. distributing the series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On March 13, 2012, Lionsgate Television formed a new 50/50 joint venture, Sea to Sky Entertainment, with Thunderbird Films, the company founded by Lionsgate's founder and chairman, Frank Giustra.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The chairman and chief creative officer (CCO) is currently Kevin Beggs and he is the longest tenured television studio chairman.