International film distribution company Kino Lorber has announced that it is forming a new joint venture to combine its MHz Choice streaming service with that of First Look Media’s Topic.
With a library of over 4,000 titles, Kino Lorber has been a leader in independent art house distribution. For its part, The Topic streaming service features titles such as the original versions of The Killing and The Bridge, as well as the Nordic series Arctic Circle. It joins Kino Lorber's other SVOD service MHz Choice, aleading US streamer dedicated to international series including A French Village and Detective Montalbano, which the company acquired in November 2022.
The new company will now operate both Topic streaming and MHz Choice, with Kino Lorber owning the majority stake and assuming management oversight of both. Kino Lorber will assume management oversight of the service, including programming, marketing and technology, which will be overseen by MHz Networks founder Frederick Thomas. Topic general manager Ryan Chanatry and Jennifer Liang, who oversaw acquisitions for the streamer, will consult through the transition period.
Kino Lorber SVOD services are overseen by chief strategy officer Ed Carroll. Programming for both Topic streaming and MHz Choice will be overseen by Lance Schwulst, senior vice president of content strategy for MHz Networks. Vice president of marketing for Topic streaming Monica Bloom will join the new company and serve as chief marketing officer for both services.
“We’re excited to partner with First Look Media and build on the strong SVOD brand they have created with Topic streaming. As North American audiences embrace entertainment from around the world, we’re proud to now be the home for the two best-in-class streaming services for international series and films,” said Kino Lorber president and CEO Richard Lorber. “This is a key strategic investment for Kino Lorber that will strengthen Topic streaming and MHz Choice in their complementarity and create new synergies with our world class film business.”
“Ryan and his team identified the perfect niche in Crime & Thriller and built one of the most exciting streaming services available today,” added Michael Bloom, CEO, First Look Media. “We’re excited to partner with Kino Lorber, with its commitment to premium international programming, in this new joint venture, firmly positioning ourselves in the growing market of specialty streaming services.
The new company will now operate both Topic streaming and MHz Choice, with Kino Lorber owning the majority stake and assuming management oversight of both. Kino Lorber will assume management oversight of the service, including programming, marketing and technology, which will be overseen by MHz Networks founder Frederick Thomas. Topic general manager Ryan Chanatry and Jennifer Liang, who oversaw acquisitions for the streamer, will consult through the transition period.
Kino Lorber SVOD services are overseen by chief strategy officer Ed Carroll. Programming for both Topic streaming and MHz Choice will be overseen by Lance Schwulst, senior vice president of content strategy for MHz Networks. Vice president of marketing for Topic streaming Monica Bloom will join the new company and serve as chief marketing officer for both services.
“We’re excited to partner with First Look Media and build on the strong SVOD brand they have created with Topic streaming. As North American audiences embrace entertainment from around the world, we’re proud to now be the home for the two best-in-class streaming services for international series and films,” said Kino Lorber president and CEO Richard Lorber. “This is a key strategic investment for Kino Lorber that will strengthen Topic streaming and MHz Choice in their complementarity and create new synergies with our world class film business.”
“Ryan and his team identified the perfect niche in Crime & Thriller and built one of the most exciting streaming services available today,” added Michael Bloom, CEO, First Look Media. “We’re excited to partner with Kino Lorber, with its commitment to premium international programming, in this new joint venture, firmly positioning ourselves in the growing market of specialty streaming services.
