Lionsgate partnering with Univision for Spanish-language streaming video service

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Lionsgate and Univision are partnering on a new Spanish-language streaming video service due to launch next year, the companies said.

Lionsgate, the studio behind the massive Hunger Games movie franchise, and Univision, the top Spanish-language broadcaster in the United States, are building the first Spanish-language video service to reach the growing Latino movie-going audience.

The new service, launching in early 2017, will combine Lionsgate's extensive film library dubbed in Spanish, as well as the company's partnerships with Televisa and Pantelion Films -- a Latino film studio based in Hollywood with access to many of Mexico's top films -- with Univision's extensive reach in to Latino homes across the United States via cable and satellite.

"Hispanic movie-goers are one of the fastest-growing segments of the entertainment business today, and this platform offers a unique value proposition combining premium content, advanced technology and tremendous accessibility," said Univision President & Chief Executive Officer Randy Falco.

"We're pleased to bring our marketing and distribution experience to an exciting new service driven by current and classic Spanish-language films and Hollywood favorites that will resonate with our audience. Univision's experience and vast reach coupled with Lionsgate's and Pantelion Films' successful track record demonstrate the tremendous opportunity of the Spanish-language movie audience in the U.S.," he said.

The two companies did not disclose the name or the price of the new service.

Lionsgate acquired the Starz movie channel in June for $4.4 billion and is already part owner the Epix movie channel.

Other video on demand services owned by Lionsgate include Tribeca Shortlist, Comic-Con HQ and Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud, which also debuts in early 2017.