New York, NY – June 10, 2025
Max, the flagship streaming service operated by Warner Bros. Discovery, today announced a significant multi-year licensing agreement with the prominent entertainment company Lionsgate. The landmark deal is set to substantially expand Max’s available content library, providing subscribers with access to a wide array of films and television series drawn from Lionsgate’s extensive and critically acclaimed catalog.
The partnership, effective immediately following its announcement on June 10, 2025, is structured as a multi-year arrangement, underscoring a long-term strategic collaboration between the two media giants. The infusion of Lionsgate content is anticipated to begin rolling out on the Max platform starting in the Fall of 2025, with titles becoming available to subscribers over the subsequent months.
Expanding the Content Horizon
The core of the agreement involves Max gaining streaming rights to a considerable selection of titles from Lionsgate’s deep library. This library includes a diverse collection spanning various genres and eras, representing decades of film and television production. While the full scope of the licensed content was not immediately disclosed, the announcement highlighted the inclusion of several high-profile and commercially successful franchises and series.
Among the most notable additions are titles from the globally popular ‘John Wick’ action franchise, starring Keanu Reeves, known for its intricate world-building and stylized action sequences. Also included are films from ‘The Hunger Games’ saga, the successful dystopian science fiction adventure series based on Suzanne Collins’ novels, which has garnered a significant fanbase worldwide.
Beyond major film franchises, the deal brings celebrated television programming to Max. This includes the multi-award-winning drama series ‘Mad Men’, created by Matthew Weiner, which chronicled the lives of advertising executives in the 1960s. Another significant television title joining the Max lineup is ‘Orange is the New Black’, the acclaimed comedy-drama series created by Jenji Kohan, set in a women’s prison and lauded for its diverse cast and storytelling.
These specific titles represent just a fraction of the potential depth of the Lionsgate library, which encompasses numerous other films and television shows across various genres, from thrillers and comedies to dramas and horror.
Strategic Implications in a Competitive Market
The licensing agreement is a clear strategic move by Max as it navigates the increasingly competitive and complex streaming landscape. In an era where subscriber acquisition and retention are paramount, access to a rich, diverse, and popular library is a critical differentiator.
By securing rights to Lionsgate’s catalog, Max aims to enhance its content offering significantly. This expansion serves multiple purposes: it provides more hours of viewing content for existing subscribers, potentially reducing churn; it adds well-known and beloved titles that can attract new subscribers who may be drawn to specific franchises or series; and it diversifies the platform’s overall content mix, complementing existing Warner Bros. Discovery owned content from brands like HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, the DC Universe, and the Discovery networks.
The streaming market has seen intense competition in recent years, with numerous platforms vying for consumer attention and subscription dollars. Securing valuable library content through licensing deals remains a key tactic for services looking to build scale and provide a comprehensive entertainment destination. For Lionsgate, this agreement represents a significant monetization opportunity for its extensive library assets, generating substantial revenue through licensing fees without the operational costs associated with direct-to-consumer streaming on the same scale as Max.
What This Means for Subscribers
For Max subscribers, the deal translates directly into more viewing options. Starting in Fall 2025, users will begin to see titles from the Lionsgate library appearing on the platform’s interface. The addition of popular, binge-worthy series like ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Orange is the New Black’, alongside enduringly popular film franchises such as ‘John Wick’ and ‘The Hunger Games’, provides considerable added value to a Max subscription.
This influx of licensed content supplements Max’s core offering of original programming from HBO and Max Originals, as well as films and series from the broader Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio. It helps solidify Max’s position as a service offering a broad spectrum of entertainment, from prestige dramas and blockbuster films to popular library favorites.
Looking Ahead
The multi-year nature of the agreement suggests a sustained presence for Lionsgate content on Max, providing a degree of stability and predictability for subscribers interested in these titles. Industry analysts view such library deals as essential components of a balanced streaming content strategy, complementing the significant investment required for original production.
The agreement between Max and Lionsgate highlights the continued importance of content licensing in the digital age, showcasing how studios and platforms collaborate to maximize the value of their assets and expand their audience reach. As the streaming wars continue, access to popular, established content libraries remains a crucial battleground.
Max and Lionsgate anticipate a smooth integration process, with the phased rollout of titles commencing as planned in Fall 2025, offering subscribers a refreshed and expanded content catalog to explore.
