THE ROYALS' Mark Schwahn Signs Overall Deal with Lionsgate & Universal Cable Productions

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, and Universal Cable Productions announced today that they have signed an agreement with The Royalscreator Mark Schwahn to continue as executive producer, writer and director for the hit E! drama series. In addition, Schwahn has signed a new multi-year, first-look television deal to develop scripted programming to be co-produced by Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions.

E! recently ordered a third season of its dishy drama, which is the network's first original scripted series. A co-production of Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions, THE ROYALS features a stellar cast led by Elizabeth Hurley as the calculating Queen Helena, joined by William Moseley, Alexandra Park, Tom Austen, and Jake Maskall. The Royals, one of the top three new original scripted cable series of 2015 in its target 18-49 demo (excluding spinoffs), is also executive produced by Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Shauna Phelan.

"Mark knows how to create compelling and dynamic television that helps build networks, and he also knows how to develop characters and expand the worlds in which they live over many seasons," said Kevin Beggs, Chairman of Lionsgate's Television Group. "We are huge fans of his reign on THE ROYALS and are very excited about what he will develop next as part of his new first-look deal."

"We love what Mark continues to do with The Royals, he has a natural talent for weaving drama with pop culture and creating sensational characters with mass appeal. We look forward to more of his signature storytelling as part of our new deal," said Jeff Wachtel, Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and President, Universal Cable Productions.

"The quality and history at both Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions speaks for itself. I'm very honored to be a small part of that," said Schwahn. "Both studios foster a creative environment that I hope to call home for years to come." He added, "Working with the cast and the crew of THE ROYALS is immensely enjoyable, and the support from E! has been smart and gracious, as well. It's a nice place to be."

Previously, Schwahn created and served as writer and executive producer of The WB/CW hit One Tree Hill, which ran for nine seasons and 187 episodes. Schwahn's debut feature, the independent feature 35 Miles From Normal, debuted at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. He also co-wrote The Perfect Score, starring Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans; and wrote and co-produced Whatever It Takes, with Golden Globe winner James Franco, Emmy Award winner Aaron Paul, Shane West, and Colin Hanks. As a screenwriter, Schwahn's Coach Carter had the biggest opening weekend in the history of MTV Films. A box office smash hailed by critics, Variety described the film as "both an inspirational sports movie and an unexpected multi-level urban drama that plays by its own clock." Based on a true story, Coach Carter starred Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Samuel L. Jackson.

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About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. The Company has nearly 80 television shows on 40 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and Syndication businesses. These include the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the Syndication successes THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW andCelebrity Name Game (with FremantleMedia), the breakout series THE ROYALS and the Golden Globe-nominated dramedy Casual.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, Sicario, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate's The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions' Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

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