New York and Santa Monica – A+E Networks and Lionsgate have forged a partnership under which Lionsgate will handle home entertainment distribution of programming from A&E Network, HISTORY and Lifetime.

The partnership encompasses hit programmes from A+E Networks’ diverse content catalogue including Storage Wars, Shipping Wars and Duck Dynasty from A&E, HISTORY’s Pawn Stars, American Pickers and America The Story of US, and Lifetime’s Dance Moms and the library of Lifetime Original Movies.

A+E Networks’ Home Entertainment catalogue features thousands of hours of acclaimed programming such as the A&E mini-series, Pride & Prejudice; acquired classic TV series including Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Farscape, Kids in the Hall, and Homicide: Life on the Street; and programming from A+E Networks’ exclusive home entertainment distribution partnership with Major League Baseball, including the annual World Series Championship Film and World Series Collector’s Edition, featuring complete games from the World Series.

According to the announcement, A+E Networks is the number two ad-supported cable network group in the delivery of adults. A+E Networks’ Q2 2012 was the most watched second quarter ever among all demos; the company has experienced year-over-year viewership growth in 10 consecutive quarters. 

Lionsgate continues to grow and diversify the home entertainment distribution of its own and third–party product, acquiring Summit Entertainment in January 2012 and recently signed a pact to distribute the Miramax library in North America.  The company also recently extended its long term distribution agreement for StudioCanal’s library in North America.  Lionsgate is an industry leader in DVD-to-box office and VOD-to-box office conversion rates.  It will launch the global blockbuster The Hunger Games on DVD and digital platforms August 18.