With the Starz cable channel slated to feature nearly all original content by 2020, Lionsgate is moving to expand its licensing for Starz-owned IP, says Sheila Clarke of Lionsgate.

There were licensing programs in place for “Ash vs. Evil Dead” and crime drama “Power” when Lionsgate bought Starz in 2016, but the studio is including them in a new direct-to-consumer ecommerce store that licensee Connekt is launching by month’s end. The store, which will be based on revenue sharing, will feature third-party licensed merchandise as well as exclusive items sourced by Lionsgate and Connekt, says Clarke.

“Especially with properties that may not have a big consumer products program, this is a way to reach their fans,” says Clarke.

Lionsgate will launch a full licensing program for the sixth season of “Power,” which is being released in June 2019. It also added apparel licensee Isaac Morris for the fifth season, which starts airing July 1. Starz had previously used a mix of agents and internal staff for licensing.

Meanwhile, licensee Parques Unidos is planning to open the first Lionsgate Entertainment Centers in New York and Spain in Q1. They’ll feature a merchandise store along with several themed sections. For example in New York, there will be a “Mad Men” dining/lounge area, a Hunger Games simulator ride, John Wick: Chapter virtual reality ride, Divergent climbing wall and café and Hunger Games-inspired Peeta Bakery.

The entertainment centers come as Lionsgate continues to build out its theme park business. Licensee Dubai Parks and Resorts opened a Lionsgate section in October featuring rides tied to Hunger Games and other Lionsgate films in its Motiongate theme park in Dubai. And licensee Jeju Development Co. is starting construction this year of the studio’s first outdoor theme park in South Korea, with a planned 2020 opening.

Contact:

Lionsgate, Sheila Clarke, SVP Consumer Products and Franchise Management, 310-255-3612, sclarke@lionsgate.com