Lions Gate to Release Discovery Titles on DVD & Blu-ray

Only a month after purchasing a stake in Lionsgate, Discovery has agreed to a long-term deal with

the studio to distribute Discovery's programming on DVD & Blu-ray (BD) in the USA.  The deal covers the DVD and Blu-ray distribution of Discovery's portfolio of series and specials across its networks, which include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Investigation Discovery.

The first release under the agreement will be the February 23, 2016 Blu-ray and DVD release of Racing Extinction, the landmark documentary which had its worldwide premiere yesterday on Discovery Channel in more than 220 markets. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Louie Psihoyos (The Cove), tells the story of a team of artists and activists on an undercover operation to expose the hidden world of endangered species and the race to protect them against mass extinction. Spanning the globe to infiltrate the world's most dangerous black markets and using high tech tactics to document the link between carbon emissions and species extinction, Racing Extinction reveals stunning, never-before seen images that truly change the way we see the world.

The pact shows billionaire executive John Malone's growing interest in the Santa Monica, CA-based film and television studio who've released "The Hunger Games" franchise and "Orange Is the New Black, among others.

Malone holds a significant stake in both Discovery and Liberty Global, each of which last month acquired a 3.4% stake in Lionsgate.
“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Discovery, home of some of the most exciting brands on television, and delighted to bring their diverse and growing portfolio of programming to our home entertainment consumers,” said Lionsgate Home Entertainment President Ron Schwartz in a statement.