Entertainment
“Hollywood Is Hunting for Libraries”: Lionsgate Calls Its Film Catalog a ‘Scarce Asset’ After Starz Split
At an investor conference, Lionsgate CFO Jimmy Barge hinted that the studio behind John Wick may now be more attractive to potential buyers as Hollywood consolidation increases the value of film libraries.
In an era when Hollywood studios are rapidly merging, partnering, and reshaping their businesses, Lionsgate believes it holds something many companies desperately want — a valuable film and television library.
Speaking at a recent investors conference, Jimmy Barge, the chief financial officer of Lionsgate, made a bold claim about the studio’s strategic position in today’s entertainment market.
“We’ve got a scarce asset,” Barge said while discussing the company’s future following its separation from streaming service Starz.
The remark reflects a growing reality in Hollywood: as streaming wars intensify and media companies consolidate, content libraries — especially those with recognizable franchises — are becoming some of the most valuable assets in the industry.
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A Studio With Global Franchises
Over the past two decades, Lionsgate has quietly built a powerful entertainment catalog.
The studio is home to several globally recognized film franchises, including John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves, the blockbuster dystopian series The Hunger Games, and the comedy hit Bridesmaids.
These films — along with thousands of television episodes and movie titles — form the backbone of the Lionsgate content library.
And in the streaming era, such libraries have become increasingly important.
Streaming platforms require enormous amounts of programming to keep subscribers engaged. As a result, companies are aggressively seeking rights to popular film catalogs.
That’s where Lionsgate believes it has an advantage.
“Our library and our franchises give us tremendous strategic value,” Barge reportedly told investors, highlighting how demand for premium content continues to grow across the industry.
The Starz Separation Changes the Equation
For years, Lionsgate and Starz were closely connected.
But the company recently separated its studio operations from the Starz network, a move designed to unlock value and allow each business to pursue its own strategy.
The split may also make Lionsgate’s studio division easier to evaluate for potential investors or strategic partners.
Without the complexities of operating a cable and streaming service at the same time, the studio can now focus on producing and distributing films and television projects.
Industry analysts say that shift could make Lionsgate a more appealing acquisition target.
“The cleaner the structure, the easier it is for investors or potential buyers to understand the value,” one media analyst noted.
Hollywood’s M&A Wave
The entertainment industry is currently experiencing one of its biggest consolidation periods in decades.
Major companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Comcast have all expanded their media empires through mergers and acquisitions.
Meanwhile, technology-driven streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon continue investing billions in content to attract subscribers worldwide.
This competition has dramatically increased the value of established film libraries.
Older titles that once generated modest television licensing fees are now being rediscovered by streaming audiences, turning classic movies into valuable digital assets.
For Lionsgate, this shift could play directly to its strengths.
The Power of the ‘John Wick’ Brand
One of Lionsgate’s biggest success stories is the John Wick franchise.
The action series, led by Keanu Reeves as the legendary assassin, has evolved from a modestly budgeted film into a global blockbuster brand. The franchise now includes multiple sequels, spin-offs, and even television projects.

Its popularity demonstrates how powerful intellectual property can be in today’s entertainment landscape.
Every new film, streaming deal, or spin-off expands the value of the underlying franchise — and strengthens Lionsgate’s overall content library.
Why Film Libraries Are Suddenly Gold
The modern streaming economy runs on one thing above all: content volume.
Platforms need thousands of hours of movies and shows to maintain subscriber interest.
Owning a large library allows studios to license content repeatedly across different markets, platforms, and regions.
In other words, a film released years ago can continue generating revenue through streaming deals, television licensing, and international distribution.
That’s why studios with extensive catalogs — like Lionsgate — have become increasingly attractive to investors.
And that’s exactly what CFO Jimmy Barge was hinting at when he described the company’s assets as “scarce.”
What Could Come Next?
While Lionsgate has not confirmed any potential mergers or acquisitions, industry observers say the company could attract attention from larger media groups looking to strengthen their content portfolios.
With Hollywood still adapting to the streaming revolution, the value of proven franchises and deep film libraries may continue to rise.
For now, Lionsgate appears confident that its catalog — built over decades of filmmaking — remains one of the studio’s strongest assets.
And as the industry continues its wave of mergers and strategic partnerships, that “scarce asset” might soon become one of the most sought-after prizes in Hollywood.
Entertainment
Lauren Hashian Claps Back After AI Photos “Prove” She Had Two New Babies With Dwayne Johnson — Her Reaction Is Priceless…
The internet convinced itself The Rock’s wife secretly gave birth — twice — in Miami. She had thoughts about that.
The internet has done it again.
Lauren Hashian, singer and wife of Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson, was forced to take to Instagram on Sunday to do something no one should ever have to do — debunk AI-generated photos claiming she had secretly welcomed not one, but two new babies with her husband.
The fake news posts, which spread rapidly online and featured convincing AI-generated images of Hashian and Johnson cradling newborns, had apparently convinced a significant corner of the internet that the couple had been busy.
Hashian, 41, was having absolutely none of it — but at least she found the humour in it.
“Because I thought we’d all enjoy a good Sunday laugh…” she wrote, kicking off a series of Instagram Stories in which she reshared the fabricated articles one by one.
The first showed an AI photo of her and Johnson holding a single baby. “Apparently I had a new baby in Miami!” she wrote over it.
The second post upped the ante considerably — another AI image, this time with two babies. Hashian’s caption was perfect: “Make that TWO! I had TWO BABIES!! 😂”

For the record: Hashian and The Rock are parents to two daughters — Jasmine, 10, and Tiana, 8. Johnson also shares his eldest daughter Simone, 24, with his ex-wife and longtime business partner Dany Garcia. The family is complete. No secret Miami babies.
Johnson and Hashian’s love story is one of Hollywood‘s more quietly enduring ones. The pair first crossed paths in 2006, began dating the following year, and eventually married in 2019 after more than a decade together.
The depth of Johnson’s devotion to his family has never been hard to find. Back in 2022, he posted a video of himself holding Jasmine and Tiana at SoFi Stadium while Hashian delivered a powerful rendition of the National Anthem to 70,000 fans ahead of an NFL clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
“Me holding my babies tight, while their mama sings a powerful and inspiring National Anthem… will go down as one of the greatest and most moving moments of my life,” he wrote at the time.
The couple made a rare red carpet appearance together as recently as January 2026, stepping out hand in hand at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards. Johnson, nominated for his role in The Smashing Machine, told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet: “I’ve got my beautiful wife with me, and I’m lucky. I got my girls at home watching. My family’s here. So I’m happy.”
So to summarise: no new babies, no secret Miami birth, and a very amused Lauren Hashian who would like everyone to please use their Sunday afternoons more wisely.
The AI, however, remains undefeated in chaos.
Entertainment
Dr. Dre, 61, Spotted Holding Hands With Bravo’s ‘The Valley’ Star Michelle Saniei — And Nobody Had This on Their 2026 Bingo Card…
The rap legend and the reality TV star were photographed leaving Nobu together in a black Mercedes — and the internet has absolutely lost its mind over it
Nobody saw this coming. And honestly? That’s exactly what makes it so delicious.
Dr. Dre — rap mogul, Compton legend, and one of the most powerful figures in the history of hip-hop — has sparked dating rumours after being photographed holding hands with The Valley star Michelle Saniei outside celebrity hotspot Nobu in Los Angeles on Saturday evening.
Photos published by gossip account DeuxMoi showed the 61-year-old rapper — born Andre Romelle Young — dressed casually in a black hoodie, jeans, and white sneakers, while Saniei, 37, turned heads in a long black trench coat, purple turtleneck, black mini skirt, and stiletto boots. The pair left the restaurant together in a black Mercedes SUV, flanked by security personnel dressed in black, with Dre holding Saniei’s hand in what appeared to be an unmistakably steady, deliberate gesture.
Neither party has commented on the rumours.
For Dre, this marks his most visible romantic public appearance since he finalised his high-profile divorce from Nicole Young in December 2021 — a split that reportedly cost him a staggering $100 million settlement, making it one of the most expensive celebrity divorces in history. The former couple share two children together. Dre also has seven other children from previous relationships.
Since the divorce, the Aftermath Entertainment founder has largely kept his personal life out of the spotlight — until now.

Saniei, meanwhile, has been one of the breakout personalities on Bravo‘s The Valley since its 2024 premiere. The real estate agent and reality TV star separated from her then-husband Jesse Lally while cameras were rolling during the show’s second season, with the couple finalising their divorce in October 2025. The two share a daughter together.
As for the internet? It did exactly what the internet does.
Fans flooded social media with reactions ranging from pure hysteria to genuine excitement. “Did NOT have Dr. Dre entering the Bravo chat on my 2026 bingo card lol,” wrote one fan. Another simply demanded: “PUT HIM ON THE SHOW!!!!” A third offered perhaps the most concise summary of the collective mood: “This is sending me.”
One fan declared enthusiastically: “I love this for Michelle.” Another went full caps lock: “Letssss goooooo babyyy!!!!!” And one observer perhaps summed it up best of all: “This is more entertaining than the actual season.”
Whether this is the beginning of something real or simply a very stylish Saturday night out, one thing is certain — Dr. Dre has officially entered the Bravo universe, and absolutely nothing will ever be the same.
Entertainment
‘The Voice’ Contestant Dylan Carter Dies at 24 in Late-Night Car Crash — He Had a Concert Scheduled for the Very Next Day…
The South Carolina country singer who moved audiences and judges alike with a heartfelt tribute to his late mother has been taken far too soon — and his community is devastated
He was supposed to be on stage tonight.
Dylan Carter, the 24-year-old country singer and The Voice Season 24 contestant who captured hearts across America with a tearful audition dedicated to his late mother, died on Saturday, April 25, in a car accident in Colleton County, South Carolina. He was 24 years old.
Law enforcement told TMZ that Carter’s 2026 Tesla sedan was travelling southbound on U.S. Route 21 just after 11 p.m. when the vehicle veered off the road, struck a pole and a fence, and rolled over. Carter was the sole occupant of the car and was wearing his seatbelt. He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Colleton County coroner confirmed the cause of death as blunt-force injuries sustained in the crash, ruling it accidental.
The night before what would have been one of his concerts.
Carter had been scheduled to perform in Moncks Corner, South Carolina on Sunday, April 27 — a show that will now never happen. The mayor of Moncks Corner, Thomas Hamilton Jr., posted a tribute to Carter on Facebook that captured the depth of what the community has lost:
“As a gifted singer, he frequently entertained our community with his performances at Town events. His kindness and charm earned him immense respect, and his absence will be deeply felt. He was much more to our family than an entertainer — he was our friend and we are deeply saddened.”
Carter first came to national attention in 2023 when he auditioned for NBC‘s The Voice Season 24 with a stunning rendition of Whitney Houston‘s “I Look to You” — a performance that visibly moved the show’s judges. He chose country legend Reba McEntire as his coach, explaining that he had been a lifelong fan and that the entire audition was a tribute to his mother, who had passed away the year before.
That same love for his mother shaped much of what Carter did off the stage too. He was the co-founder of The Local Voice, a South Carolina non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women battling cancer — a cause clearly close to his heart.

The organisation announced his passing on Facebook with a statement that was equal parts grief and gratitude:
“Dylan was the heart of what we do. He believed every voice matters and lived that every day. Through his music, his kindness, and his smile, he brought people together and made everyone feel seen. We are heartbroken, but find comfort knowing he is in heaven with his mother.”
Beyond music and philanthropy, Carter was described as a proud Lowcountry native who owned Sunny Days RV & Campground and worked as a realtor — someone who was woven into the fabric of his community in more ways than one.
He was 24 years old. He had a concert tomorrow. And now, all that remains is the music he left behind, and a community that will carry his light forward in his honour.
Information on survivors was not immediately available.
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