Film studio Lionsgate has entered into an agreement with LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. and rights holder and producer Chris D’Angelo to develop, produce, and distribute multiple direct-to-DVD feature films. The multi-year deal provides Lionsgate with worldwide rights in all territories except China. In addition, Lionsgate has acquired the home entertainment distribution rights to LeapFrog’s valuable catalog, all of which were created and produced by Chris D’Angelo and have sold over 4 million units through just fiveDVD releases. The rights will begin to transition to Lionsgate in 2009 as they become available.

“The LeapFrog DVD line has been extremely successful because the well-known brand truly resonates with parents who feel that LeapFrog is a name they can trust,” says Lionsgate executive vice president of marketing and family entertainment Anne Parducci. “LeapFrog has been synonymous with education for parents and children since the company’s inception, and that educational message will be the focal point of all our releases. Creating new educational DVDs and acquiring the LeapFrog library supports our mission of delivering trusted product built on the twin themes of entertainment and education to families throughout North America."