MUMBAI: US film and television company Lionsgate has reported second quarter revenue of $707 million, EBITDA of $104.0 million, adjusted EBITDA of $109.7 million and net income of $75.5 million or $0.56 per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 (quarter ended September 30, 2012).

Revenue of $707.0 million in the second quarter increased by 97 per cent compared to $358.1 million in the prior year quarter, driven by strong home entertainment revenue from the global blockbuster ?The Hunger Games? in packaged media and on demand and digital, domestic theatrical box office revenue from films in the quarter that included ?The Possession?, ?The Expendables 2?, ?Step Up Revolution? and ?Madea?s Witness Protection? (released at the end of June), as well as strong growth in international revenue.

EBITDA of $104 million and adjusted EBITDA of $109.7 million in the second quarter compared to EBITDA of negative $(6.9) million and adjusted EBITDA of negative $(13.4) million in the prior year quarter.

Net income of $75.5 million in the second quarter compared to net loss of $(25.3) million in the prior year quarter. Profitability and EBITDA growth in the quarter was largely attributable to the strong theatrical box office and home entertainment performance of several of the Company?s feature films, including the DVD and digital release of the first film in ?The Hunger Games? franchise and the domestic theatrical box office performance of ?The Possession? as well as strong international results.

The company also reported improved overall margins in the quarter.

Basic net income per common share for the second quarter was $0.56 on 134.4 million weighted average common shares outstanding, compared to basic net loss per common share of $(0.19) on 133.8 million weighted average common shares outstanding in the prior year quarter.

Lionsgate?s film backlog, or already contracted future revenue not yet recorded, was a record $1.2 billion at 30 September , 2012.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said, "The quarter reflected many of the core values that have driven our growth over the past 12 years ? creation and renewal of major film franchises, strong and consistent library performance and contributions from our diverse mix of businesses worldwide. "With the home entertainment release of the first film in our ?Hunger Games? franchise making significant contributions to our results in the quarter, we?re clearly on track to meet or exceed our expectations this year."

Overall motion picture revenue for the second quarter was $608 million, an increase of 178 per cent from the prior year quarter reflecting gains in all categories. Within the motion picture segment, theatrical revenue in the quarter was $116.2 million, a fivefold increase from the prior year second quarter, attributable to the box office performance of ?The Possession?, ?The Expendables 2?, ?Step Up Revolution? and ?Madea?s Witness Protection?released in June.

Lionsgate?s home entertainment revenue from both motion pictures and television was $277.8 million in the second quarter, a 59 per cent increase from the prior year quarter driven by the home entertainment releases of ?The Hunger Games?, ?Cabin In The Woods?, ?What To Expect When You?re Expecting?, ?Safe? and ?Friends With Kids? from the company?s managed brands business.

Television revenue included in motion picture revenue was $35.5 million in the second quarter, an increase of 26 per cent from the prior year quarter.

International motion picture revenue of $108 million (excluding Lionsgate U.K.) for the second quarter increased more than fourfold from the prior year quarter driven by continuing revenue from the worldwide theatrical release of ?The Hunger Games? as well as revenue contributions from ?Cabin In The Woods?, ?What To Expect When You?re Expecting?, ?Step Up Revolution? and ?Cold Light Of Day?.

Lionsgate UK revenue was $48.4 million, an increase of 120 per cent from the prior year quarter, on the strength of a diversified theatrical slate driven by ?The Hunger Games?, ?The Expendables 2? and ?Abduction?, Lionsgate UK?s ?Salmon Fishing In The Yemen? and the third-party film ?Magic Mike?.

Television production revenue was $99 million in the second quarter, a decline of 29 per cent compared to the prior year quarter, as increases in domestic series licensing from Lionsgate Television were offset by fewer deliveries from the company?s Debmar-Mercury syndication arm and decreased digital media revenue compared to the prior year quarter that included the delivery of the first four seasons of ?Mad Men? to Netflix.

MUMBAI: Continuing the diversification of its television business, Lionsgate is partnering with television and music entrepreneur and producer Simon Fuller to develop a contemporary television musical drama chronicling the lives and loves of a young California rock ?n? roll band.

Fuller?s 25-year entertainment career has been highlighted by innovation and number one hits in TV, film, music, sports and fashion, and he has become famous for creating and producing ?American Idol?, developing the Beckhams into one of the world?s most recognisable talent brands and guiding the careers of music stars, such as Annie Lennox, Kelly Clarkson, The Spice Girls, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, David Cook, Adam Lambert and hit songwriter Cathy Dennis. He currently serves as Executive Producer on ?American Idol?, ?So You Think You Can Dance? and ?Q?Viva!: The Chosen?.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns said, "Lionsgate?s growth has been built on our partnerships with some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, and Simon Fuller is an entrepreneurial icon whose success in TV, film and music sets him in a class by himself. He has pioneered new brands with almost unique replicability around the world, and we?re thrilled to partner with him on a show that represents the latest and one of the most exciting chapters in the ongoing diversification of our television business."

Lionsgate Television Group President Kevin Beggs and Lionsgate Television COO Sandra Stern said, "Simon Fuller has created some of the most successful and enduring franchises in entertainment today. We believe that this musical drama about a young rock ?n? roll band will have global resonance with the same young audiences that have fueled the success of other Lionsgate franchises. From American Idol to Spice Girls, Simon has consistently demonstrated the ability to generate brands and formats with enormous worldwide appeal."

Fuller said, "I am full of positive anticipation for this new collaboration and delighted to partner with Jon Feltheimer, Kevin Beggs and the rest of the team at Lionsgate, one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the entertainment industry. From ?Mad Men? and ?Weeds? to ?The Hunger Games?, Lionsgate has demonstrated the global perspective, creative instincts and marketing prowess to build successful franchises for the future. Our combined powers and vision promise to make for an exciting new entertainment property."

Lionsgate and Fuller have already launched a search across the US for four young actors who are also skilled musicians to portray the band members. Showrunner meetings are underway, and the series is being shaped for both broadcast and cable outlets.