Lionsgate Worldwide Television Distribution Group and Debmar-Mercury Partner with Werner Entertainment on Multi-Year Global Licensing Deal for Hit Sitcom The Conners
Agreement Encompasses All Five Seasons of ABC’s Top-Rated Scripted Show of the Season along with Rights to Future Seasons
Santa Monica, CA, August 9, 2023 – Lionsgate’s Worldwide Television Distribution Group and leading distribution company Debmar-Mercury have partnered with Tom Werner’s Werner Entertainment on a global licensing deal for the Emmy Award®-winning hit comedy The Conners, the companies announced today. Under the terms of the agreement, the Worldwide Television Distribution Group will handle global distribution, including SVOD, AVOD, basic cable and FAST rights, while Debmar-Mercury will shepherd domestic syndication. The deal covers all five seasons of the series as well as rights to future seasons following ABC’s first window.
The Conners, which has been renewed by ABC for a sixth season, ranks as the network’s top-rated scripted series. It leads in key demos and has posted extraordinary season-to-season growth in its fifth season, a feat matched by only Seinfeld among all syndicated off-network sitcoms. The show garnered 4.9 million viewers in its season finale, with an adult 25-54 audience of 3.6 million.
“We’re proud to be selected by a great force in television like Tom Werner and Werner Entertainment to bring this incredible property to buyers around the world,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television Distribution Jim Packer. “This agreement shows Lionsgate’s ability to marshal all of its resources, combining the strength and prowess of our global distribution with Debmar-Mercury’s unparalleled syndication expertise in support of a remarkable brand and series.”
Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus said, “In the tradition of some of the most successful, longest-running multi-cam sitcoms, The Conners promises to be a great addition to TV stations lineups, and will offer a proven competitive advantage to broadcasters for years to come. Tom Werner, together with Marcy Carsey and their creative team, have been responsible for many of the mega-comedies that helped build the broadcast business in the U.S. We are excited to be able to team with Tom and with Jim Packer’s global distribution team on The Conners.”
Werner said, “Lionsgate’s global reach and success across all platforms makes us extremely confident they will successfully bring The Conners to audiences worldwide.”
The series stars Sara Gilbert, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf and Lecy Goranson. The Conners is produced by Werner Entertainment. Tom Werner serves as executive producer, along with Gilbert, Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Hernandez.
The deal was negotiated by Packer, Bernstein and Marcus for the studio, and UTA and Jackoway Austen on behalf of Werner Entertainment.
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ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by an 18,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
ABOUT DEBMAR-MERCURY
Lionsgate's Debmar-Mercury distributes the Fremantle-produced game show hit Family Feud, hosted by Steve Harvey; produces and distributes Sherri, the top-rated new, nationally syndicated daily talk show hosted by actress, comedian, best-selling author and TV personality Sherri Shepherd and the Daytime Emmy-nominated viral sensation, Caught In Providence; distributes Game Show Network's PEOPLE PUZZLER, hosted by actress, best-selling author, producer and television personality Leah Remini, to broadcast stations for fall 2023; as well as the 10/90 sitcoms it pioneered including Tyler Perry's House of Payne and spinoff Meet the Browns; Revolution/CubeVision's Are We There Yet? (starring Ice Cube); and the Debmar-Mercury/Lionsgate Television comedy Anger Management (starring Charlie Sheen).
Debmar-Mercury is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B), encompassing world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform. They bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world.
For media inquiries, please contact:
For Lionsgate:
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310-255-5114
For Debmar-Mercury:
Jim Benson, The Lippin Group