Lionsgate has added some serious muscle – along with high-octane action and martial arts – to its family home entertainment division. In a licensing agreement with Saban Brands, the studio announced today that it has acquired the North American home entertainment distribution rights to the #1 rated kids action series Saban’s Power Rangers Samurai, the newest chapter in the long-running, popular entertainment franchise. The deal was announced by Lionsgate Executive Vice President of Marketing and Family Entertainment Anne Parducci and Saban Brands President Elie Dekel.
Under the multi-year agreement, Lionsgate obtains all DVD and Blu-ray rights, as well as multiple digital rights for the newly revamped Power Rangers television series, Saban’s Power Rangers Samurai and Saban’s Power Rangers Super Samurai. Both shows currently air on Nickelodeon with Saban’s Power Rangers Super Samurai premiering last month. The studio also acquired the distribution rights to two Power Rangers Christmas and Halloween specials, and a Power Rangers Movie special. The first releases in the deal, Power Rangers Samurai: The Team Unites and Power Rangers Samurai: A New Enemy, arrive on DVD and Digital Download for the first time on June 19th.
“For nearly 20 years, the Power Rangers have been synonymous with teamwork, friendship, fitness and fun. Saban’s Power Rangers Samurai television series has continued that tradition by providing a humorous action-adventure that kids love with positive messages that parents value,” said Parducci. “The success of the Nickelodeon television series proves that Samurai has attracted the attention of the millions of people who grew up on the Power Rangers, those who are now parents, and most importantly, a new generation of kids growing up today.”
“Now Power Rangers fans everywhere will have the opportunity to watch the Samurai Rangers save the world from evil wherever they want,” said Dekel. “Our agreement with Lionsgate not only provides great ways to watch content that fans may have seen on television, but it will also provide new and exciting additions to the series that fans are sure to love.”
The deal with Saban Brands continues to build on Lionsgate’s tremendous success distributing product from some of the most prominent family brands in the marketplace. Currently the industry’s 2nd largest distributor of children’s non-theatrical titles, Lionsgate releases to DVD a virtual who’s-who in family entertainment brands, including HIT’s Thomas & Friends, Barney, Angelina Ballerina and other titles from their vast library, MGA’s Lalaloopsy and Bratz, LeapFrog, Scholastic’s Clifford the Big Red Dog and American Greetings’ The Care Bears.
About Saban’s Power Rangers Samurai
Power Rangers Samurai is the all-new, half-hour series that features a new cast of Rangers and never-before-seen villains, as well as high-octane action, martial arts and advanced special effects. New episodes premiere Saturdays at noon (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon. Currently in its 19th season, Power Rangers Samurai is helmed by Haim Saban, who created and produced the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series in 1993. Following its introduction, Power Rangers quickly became the most-watched children’s television program in the United States. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, responsibility and helping others by following the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who “morphed” into superheroes, the series was seen in more than 60 countries, translated into numerous languages, and was a mainstay in the most prominent international children’s programming blocks. Power Rangers LLC, which licenses and merchandises the Power Rangers brand, is an affiliate of Saban Brands. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.