Lionsgate mixes kids, killers

June 04, 2008 In March, Lionsgate acquired worldwide distribution rights to HIT Entertainment's portfolio of mostly preschool franchises including Thomas and Friends, Bob the Builder, Barney and Angelina Ballerina, as well as such newly acquired brands as Fifi and the Flowertots, Aardman Animation's "Wallace & Gromit" and the Jim Henson Co.'s "Fraggle Rock." A month later came a deal with LeapFrog Enterprises, a leading developer of technology-based learning products, to develop, produce and distribute multiple direct-to-DVD feature films -- and take over distribution of LeapFrog's catalog once titles become available next year. The brand loyalty, consistency and long lifespan of the children's category rewards a strategy like ours and enhances the stability of our business.

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