SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 30 (UPI) -- Lionsgate says it has acquired Starz for a combination of cash and stock totaling $4.4 billion.
The combined company said in a press release it's now the largest independent television company in the world, with 87 original series on 42 U.S. networks, a feature film business that has generated over $7 billion at the global box office over the past four years; and operation of or investment in 30 channels around the world. It also owns a 16,000-title film and television library.