Lionsgate vs Sundance Institute

Legendary Revives Lionsgate Acquisition Talks

Lionsgate Studios shares surged over 15% on reports that Legendary Entertainment revived acquisition talks and submitted a formal takeover offer, lifting the stock above $12 and market cap near $3.6 billion. Legendary, backed by Apollo Global Management, previously explored a bid after Lionsgate's separation from Starz. A deal would give Legendary theatrical distribution and access to Lionsgate's library of 20,000+ titles. No financial terms disclosed; both companies declined to comment. Lionsgate, led by Jon Feltheimer, has long been seen as an acquisition target amid industry consolidation.

• Lionsgate Studios shares rose more than 15% after Legendary Entertainment revived acquisition talks with a formal takeover offer.
• Lionsgate's market capitalization reached nearly $3.6 billion following the stock surge.
• Legendary is jointly owned by Apollo Global Management and its management team; it distributes theatrical releases through Paramount.

Roku's Howdy Adds New Titles for October 2026

Roku's ad-supported streaming service, Howdy, is expanding its library for October 2026 with a mix of horror films, romantic comedies, and Roku Originals. New titles include 'The Conjuring: Last Rites', 'Pretty Woman', 'Twister', 'GoodFellas', and 'Django Unchained'. Roku Originals such as 'The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Halloween' and 'Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross' are also being added. The platform is adding 168 net-new titles from content partners including Radial, Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Roku itself, reflecting a continued effort to bolster its ad-supported catalog with premium and original content.

• Roku’s Howdy adds 168 net-new titles for October 2026.
• Content partners include Radial, Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, and Roku.
• New Roku Originals include The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Halloween and Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross.

LG and Lionsgate Launch 3 New Free Channels

LG has launched three new free, ad-supported channels on LG Channels in partnership with Lionsgate, featuring The Hunger Games, Saw, and John Wick franchises. These pop-up channels will be available at different times through the end of the year. Additionally, four new Lionsgate FAST channels will debut, including Pulse, Rookie Blue, Lionsgate Network, and Ghosts. The move follows the success of a previous Hunger Games pop-up channel, and aims to provide curated, limited-time viewing events for fans while adding value to the LG Channels and webOS experience.

• LG and Lionsgate launch three new free ad-supported channels on LG Channels.
• The Hunger Games channel runs from October 1-15, Saw from October 16-November 4, and John Wick from December 17-31.
• Four new Lionsgate FAST channels debut: Pulse, Rookie Blue, Lionsgate Network, and Ghosts.

Sundance Institute and Islamic Scholarship Fund Select Filmmakers for Fourth Building Bridges Fellowship Cohort Amplifying U.S. Muslim Stories

Funded by the Doris Duke Foundation, fellows will receive financial, creative, and career support, including participation in the Building Bridges Artist Retreat at Duke Farms

Sundance Institute and University of Colorado Boulder Deepen Partnership Ahead of Festival’s Boulder Debut

New agreement expands academic, volunteer, and internship opportunities for CU Boulder students and establishes community engagement commitments as the Sundance Film Festival prepares to open