Amblin Partners Announces New Multi-Year Film Distribution Partnership With Universal Filmed Entertainment Group
1.12.2020 00:00:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
Amblin Partners today announced a new multi-year film distribution partnership with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, as well as a series of new agreements that chart a clear course for the next phase of growth for one of the world’s leading independent film and television studios. The new deals were announced this morning by Steven Spielberg, Amblin’s Founder and Chairman.
Remarked Spielberg: “My decades-long relationship with Universal truly transcends any single business deal, and to once again renew our corporate vows reaffirms that Universal is Amblin’s home. In addition to Universal, we are blessed to continue forward with a global family of partners, including Alibaba, eOne and Reliance, each of which has supported us for many years and enabled our storytelling to touch the lives of millions of moviegoers around the world. I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my dear friends Jeff Skoll and David Linde for an incredible run as formal partners; and my congratulations on what I know will be a successful next chapter in Participant’s journey. While in a different form, we look forward to continuing our collaborations to create the type of culturally-impactful content that only Participant can deliver.”
Donna Langley, Chairman, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, said: “Steven Spielberg and Amblin Partners have delivered award-winning critical and commercial hits that stand the test of time amongst films in the Universal canon. We’re proud to continue our partnership and reinvest in the future of Amblin Partners.”
Amblin’s continuing partnership with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group builds on a long history between the two companies, dating back to Spielberg’s arrival on the Universal lot as an intern in 1968. The new agreement further evolves the entities’ 2015 agreement that resulted in a number of critical and commercial hits, most recently Oscar Best Picture Winner Green Book, and 1917, which won three Oscars, two Golden Globes and grossed more than $385 million at the worldwide box office.
The new deal calls for multiple Amblin films to be marketed and distributed theatrically via Universal Pictures and Focus Features each year, while also providing Amblin with new opportunities in the streaming film marketplace. NBCUniversal has also agreed to re-invest in the Company, continuing its position as an equity holder and providing fresh capital to fund new production and development efforts across the Company’s film and television businesses.
Jeff Small, Amblin Partners CEO, commented: “Universal is simply the best in the business, and we are beyond fortunate to have Donna Langley and her team supporting our films. In addition, the evolution of our partnership provides flexibility for us to continue supplying the fast-growing streaming marketplace on an even greater scale, which will no doubt be a key growth driver for Amblin Partners in both film and TV in the years ahead.”
Alibaba Pictures, eOne and Reliance Entertainment will all continue as equity holders, with Alibaba releasing Amblin films in China; eOne releasing in the U.K., Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Benelux; and Reliance releasing in India.
Participant, which as a founding partner played a key role in the formation of Amblin Partners in 2015, will now exit its role as an equity holder of the Company. This transition will allow Participant flexibility with respect to distribution of its films, while still keeping open opportunities to work together with Amblin on future projects.
“We have enjoyed our relationship with Amblin Partners and are proud of the many notable films we have produced together,” stated Participant CEO David Linde. “Exiting our formal position will allow us the flexibility to evolve our business as our strategic goals and the marketplace dictates. Both Universal and Focus have been great distribution partners; and we have been incredibly fortunate to work closely with Steven, well pre-dating the formation of Amblin Partners, and look forward to finding new projects with him, Jeff Small and the entire Amblin team.”
Amblin also announced the close of an amended and restated syndicated revolving credit facility led by J.P. Morgan and Comerica. The facility continues longstanding relationships with a number of additional banking partners, and in total includes City National Bank, Union Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Bank Hapoalim, CIT Bank, East West Bank, Fifth Third Bank, California Bank & Trust, Citizens Bank and Preferred Bank. The facility will fund ongoing corporate operations, as well as production and development activities for both film and television.
“For nearly three decades, J.P. Morgan has had the pleasure of working with Amblin through its many significant achievements and milestones,” said David Shaheen, Head of the West Region and Entertainment Industries Group for J.P. Morgan’s Corporate Client Banking business. “We are proud to support the ambitious and creative Amblin team as they write the next chapter of their impressive story.”
About Amblin Partners
Amblin Partners is a film and television production company, led by Steven Spielberg, that develops and produces films using the Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures banners, and includes Amblin Television. The Company’s investment partners include Reliance Entertainment, Entertainment One (eOne), Alibaba Pictures and Universal Pictures.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201130005872/en/
Contact information
Dan Berger
+1 818-733-9645
dberger@amblinpartners.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Venture Global Announces Closing of $2.25 Billion of Senior Secured Notes12.6.2026 00:00:00 EEST | Press release
Venture Global LNG, Inc. (“Venture Global”) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Venture Global LNG, Inc. (the “Issuer”) has closed its offering of $1.125 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% senior secured notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) and $1.125 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.625% senior secured notes due 2036 (the “2036 Notes” and, together with the 2034 Notes, the “Notes”). The Issuer used the gross proceeds from the offering to redeem all of the Issuer’s outstanding 8.125% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “Existing 2028 Notes”) and used cash on hand to pay the redemption premium and related fees and expenses for the offering and the redemption. The 2034 Notes will mature on December 15, 2034, and the 2036 Notes will mature on June 15, 2036. The Notes were issued at par. The Notes will initially not be guaranteed by any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries. In the future, certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries that incur or guarantee certain amount
Venture Global and Atlantic-SEE Announce Expansion of Long-Term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement with Greece11.6.2026 23:30:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) and ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE S.A. of Greece announced an expansion of their existing Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the purchase of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Venture Global for twenty years starting in 2030. Under the deal, Atlantic-SEE is doubling their existing contract with Venture Global from a minimum of 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 1.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Atlantic-SEE LNG is a newly formed joint venture announced in November at the 6th Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (PTEC) conference hosted in Athens, Greece between Greek companies AKTOR Group and DEPA Commercial. The announcement of this expanded supply agreement follows Venture Global’s previously announced investment in regasification capacity at the Alexandroupolis LNG import terminal in Greece, which currently accounts for approximately 25% of the terminal’s total capacity. The Alexandroupolis LNG FSRU receiving terminal and S
Merrithew ® Expands Global Mindful Movement Leadership with Acquisition of the GYROTONIC ® Organization11.6.2026 18:30:00 EEST | Press release
Merrithew®, a global leader in mindful movement education and equipment and creator of internationally recognized programs including STOTT PILATES®, ZEN•GA®, Halo® Training and Total Barre®, today announced the acquisition of the GYROTONIC® organization, creator of the globally respected GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods. Founded by Juliu Horvath, the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods are internationally recognized for their distinctive approach to movement, combining fluidity, strength, mobility, coordination, and rehabilitation through specialized equipment and movement sequences. Practiced in studios and wellness centers worldwide, the methods have cultivated a deeply loyal global community of instructors, trainers, therapists, and movement professionals. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Merrithew International Inc.’s growth strategy and reflects Merrithew’s commitment to growing the rapidly expanding global mindful movement category. The addition of the GYROTONI
GigaDevice Expands Optical Communication Portfolio with New GD32E512 and GD32E252 Series MCUs for Optical Modules11.6.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
GigaDevice, a leading semiconductor company specializing in Flash memory, 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), sensors, and analog products, has introduced the new GD32E512 and GD32E252 series MCUs specifically designed for optical module applications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611850679/en/ Empowering Optical Interconnect Innovation, GigaDevice Unveils Dedicated MCUs for Optical Modules. As a leading supplier of MCUs for optical module applications, GigaDevice has maintained a strong focus on the optical communication market, continuously aligning its product development with evolving industry requirements and next-generation optical interconnect technologies. Leveraging years of expertise in optical module control solutions, GigaDevice has established a strong position in the market through continuous innovation and close collaboration with industry partners. To further support the advancement of high-sp
Saudi Arabia at the Center of the Global Water Industry as IDWS 2026 Reshapes the Future of Water11.6.2026 16:47:00 EEST | Press release
In an increasingly resource-constrained world, water has become critical to both economic growth and national security, driving demand for global leadership in sustainability, innovation, and water solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611388456/en/ Saudi Arabia at the Center of the Global Water Industry as IDWS 2026 Reshapes the Future of Water (Graphic: AETOSWire) The Saudi Water Authority has announced the return of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS), taking place from 7 to 9 December 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, as the Kingdom consolidates its position at the center of the global water conversation. As home to one of the world’s most advanced and rapidly evolving water management ecosystems, Saudi Arabia currently operates more than 500 water production facilities across the Kingdom with total water production capacity exceeding 16.2 million cubic meters per day. The
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom