Lionsgate has finalized a deal to sell its South Asia streaming service, Lionsgate Play, to its founder, Rohit Jain. While the financial terms of the sale have not been disclosed, Jain will gain full ownership and management responsibilities of the platform, effectively exiting Lionsgate. As part of the agreement, Lionsgate will continue to license the Lionsgate Play brand and supply films and television series to Jain’s platform for several years.
This strategic move aligns with Lionsgate’s focus on monetizing non-core assets, allowing the company to concentrate on its primary film and television operations in India and Southeast Asia. Rohit Jain, who has served as president of Lionsgate Play Asia for the past eight years, played a pivotal role in the service’s development and expansion.
Transition to a Broader Entertainment Platform
Under Jain’s leadership, Lionsgate Play shifted from a niche Hollywood offering to a more comprehensive entertainment platform catering to regional demographics across Asia. He was instrumental in establishing strategic partnerships with telecommunications companies, broadband services, and global streaming platforms, which helped elevate Lionsgate Play beyond its initial Indian market.
In a statement, Lionsgate’s Chief Operating Officer, Brian Goldsmith, praised Jain for enhancing the Lionsgate brand’s appeal in South Asia and Southeast Asia. “Rohit is an entrepreneur with a deep understanding of the Asia landscape, and he has the expertise and experience to lead Lionsgate Play into an exciting new phase of growth,” Goldsmith noted.
Jain joined Lionsgate in 2018 to establish a presence in Mumbai and oversaw the launch of the premium streaming app, which began as a collaboration between Lionsgate India and Starz. The initial offering included a range of Hollywood content, from blockbuster films to popular television series.
Future Prospects for Lionsgate Play
Jain expressed optimism about the future of Lionsgate Play. “The platform has established itself as a leading destination for Hollywood content in India and is now positioned to expand well beyond that, shaping a differentiated, future-ready streaming platform for the region,” he said.
This sale follows Lionsgate’s recent decision to separate its studio operations from Starz, which is now functioning as an independent entity. As Lionsgate refines its focus, the company appears poised to leverage its core strengths in film and television while allowing Lionsgate Play to flourish under Jain’s leadership in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital entertainment markets.
