LONDON — Noel Hedges, a prominent figure in international television acquisitions, has departed from his role as executive vice president of acquisitions and co-productions at Lionsgate's international TV department. According to an exclusive report from Deadline, Hedges left the company's UK office late last year and formally announced his exit on LinkedIn earlier this week.
Hedges, who has been a key player in the global content market for over two decades, shared his reflections on the move in a LinkedIn post. “After eight wonderful years at Entertainment One and Lionsgate – and with huge thanks to the brilliant teams I’ve worked with along the way – I wrapped up at the end of November and am stepping into something new,” he wrote. He added, “The media landscape is changing fast, and whilst that brings its challenges, the new ways content is being created, financed and consumed bring their own energy. From the conversations I’ve already started having, it feels like an exciting moment to be open, curious and positive about what comes next.”
The departure marks the end of Hedges' tenure at Lionsgate, which began in earnest following the studio's acquisition of Entertainment One (eOne) from Hasbro in December 2023. In his role, Hedges was responsible for overseeing high-profile acquisitions, including the critically acclaimed Australian drama series The Newsreader, the Canadian legal drama Family Law, and the Sheridan Smith-starring British series Teacher, which aired on Channel 5.
Before joining Lionsgate through the eOne acquisition, Hedges held a similar executive position at eOne, where he focused on international content deals. His career trajectory includes a stint as executive vice president of content at UK-based distributor DRG, whose library is now integrated into All3Media. Earlier, he served as senior vice president of acquisitions for Canada’s Cineflix Media and as head of acquisitions for Shine International, the global distribution arm of the production group founded by Elisabeth Murdoch, which was later sold to Endemol.
Hedges' professional journey began in business affairs at the BBC, followed by an 11-year tenure at ITV Studios. There, he started as a senior sales executive in London and advanced to senior vice president of sales and acquisitions for the Americas, based in Los Angeles. This extensive experience has made him one of the most recognized names in international TV acquisitions, navigating deals across continents and formats.
The timing of Hedges' exit comes amid broader turbulence at Lionsgate. Just a month ago, Deadline reported that reality TV pioneer Craig Piligian was leaving Lionsgate Alternative Media and his own Piligian Media Group. That move followed revelations in September 2025 that Lionsgate was cutting its overall headcount by 5 percent, on top of an earlier 8 percent reduction. These layoffs reflect a wider trend in the media and entertainment industry, where companies worldwide have been implementing cost-saving measures over the past two years in response to shifting market dynamics.
Industry observers note that the acquisition of eOne by Lionsgate for approximately $500 million in 2023 was intended to bolster the studio's international footprint, particularly in television and film distribution. eOne, known for hits like Yellowjackets and The Rookie, brought a robust library and production capabilities to Lionsgate. However, integrating such assets has not been without challenges, including streamlining operations and adapting to the rise of streaming platforms.
Hedges' contributions during his time at Lionsgate and eOne were pivotal in securing content that resonated globally. The Newsreader, for instance, earned praise for its portrayal of 1980s Australian broadcast journalism and was acquired for international markets, helping to diversify Lionsgate's portfolio. Similarly, Family Law addressed themes of addiction and family dynamics in a Canadian context, while Teacher explored education and personal struggles in the UK, starring actress Sheridan Smith.
While Hedges expressed optimism about his next chapter, specifics about his future plans remain undisclosed. Sources close to the executive, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggest he is exploring opportunities in the evolving content creation space, potentially involving new financing models or innovative distribution strategies. The media industry's rapid changes, driven by artificial intelligence tools and fragmented audiences, have created both hurdles and possibilities, as Hedges alluded to in his post.
Lionsgate has not immediately responded to requests for comment on Hedges' departure or any plans to fill the vacancy. The studio, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with significant operations in London, continues to navigate a competitive landscape. Recent box office successes, such as films surpassing $1 billion in earnings, provide some financial cushion, but television divisions face unique pressures from streamers like Netflix and Disney+.
The wave of executive exits at Lionsgate underscores a period of transition for the company. Piligian's departure, for example, followed his long-standing partnership with Lionsgate on unscripted programming, including shows like The Masked Singer. These changes come as Lionsgate explores strategic options, including potential spinoffs and partnerships, to adapt to an industry where traditional models are giving way to direct-to-consumer and global co-productions.
Broader context in the entertainment sector reveals similar patterns. Comcast's recent completion of the Versant Media spinoff highlights ongoing restructurings among major players. Meanwhile, awards seasons, such as the Critics Choice Awards, signal upcoming priorities for Oscars contenders, but behind-the-scenes shifts like Hedges' exit often fly under the radar yet impact content pipelines significantly.
Looking ahead, Hedges' move could signal opportunities for fresh perspectives in acquisitions at Lionsgate. The role he vacated is crucial for identifying talent and stories from international markets, especially as U.S. studios seek to counter domestic saturation with global appeal. Industry analysts predict that the next phase will emphasize agile financing and AI-assisted production, areas where Hedges' experience could prove valuable in his upcoming endeavors.
For now, Hedges' LinkedIn announcement serves as a graceful exit from a storied career chapter. His optimism about the industry's future echoes sentiments from other departing executives who view disruption as a catalyst for innovation. As Lionsgate and its peers tighten belts and realign strategies, the departure of key figures like Hedges reminds stakeholders of the human element in an increasingly tech-driven business.
In the end, while the immediate implications for Lionsgate's international TV slate are unclear, Hedges' legacy of securing diverse, acclaimed content will likely endure. The Appleton Times will continue to monitor developments in the entertainment sector as companies adapt to these transformative times.