MoviePass, Helios and Matheson Acquire Moviefone From Oath

MoviePass and its parent company, Helios and Matheson Analytics, announced Thursday the acquisition of the 29-year-old movie site Moviefone from AOL parent company Oath.

According to an SEC filing, MoviePass and its parent will pay $1 million in cash and offer Oath roughly $14 million in options on Helios and Matheson stock at a $5.50 share price. (The stock is currently trading at $3.34.)

Under the deal, Oath will continue to sell Moviefone’s digital ad inventory and has taken an ownership stake in MoviePass through equity in HMNY in connection with the transaction.

Also Read: How 'Silicon Valley' Helps Explain MoviePass

Founded in 1989, Moviefone attracts over 6 million unique monthly visitors to its site for movie showtimes and tickets, trailers, TV schedules, streaming information, cast and crew interviews, photo galleries and more.

“This natural alignment between MoviePass and Moviefone will help us grow our subscriber base significantly and expand our marketing and advertising platform for our studio and brand partners,” MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe said in a statement. “Moviefone has been a go-to resource for entertainment enthusiasts for years, and we’re excited to bolster its presence and bring this iconic platform into the entertainment ecosystem of the future.”

Khalid Itum, VP of business development at MoviePass, added: “We believe the acquisition will allow us to connect studios and brands with potential new subscribers, capture their attention, and convert them into paying subscribers. We believe Moviefone will also allow us to provide relevant and appealing content to moviegoers while simultaneously increasing the value of the Moviefone brand.”

Also Read: MoviePass Signs Exhibition Deal With Mark Cuban's Landmark Theatres

Matt Young, Oath’s VP of entertainment, said, “By bringing together MoviePass and Moviefone, entertainment lovers will enjoy the full suite of movie-theater subscription opportunities, discovering, interacting and sharing blockbusters, hit series and underground hits across the worldwide community of film and TV. Advertising partners will also have a more powerful and comprehensive vehicle to promote their films.”

The Evolution of John Cena, from WWE's Doctor of Thuganomics to 'Blockers' (Photos)

John Cena has risen through the professional wrestling ranks to become not just one of WWE's most popular Superstars, but one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment today. With "Blockers" set to open soon, let's take a look back at the rise of Cenation.
1999

Cena first appeared as The Prototype, a semi-robotic character, in the Ohio Valley Wrestling organization (essentially, WWE's minor league system).
Ohio Valley Wrestling
2002

Shortly after being called up to WWE's main roster, Cena adopted a new persona: Doctor of Thuganomics, a white rapper who often spat rhymes before his matches and had a penchant for backwards baseball caps and jersey combos. This also served as the beginning of a secondary career for Cena, who recorded a rap album in 2005 (which debuted at 15 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200) and was featured on the WWE soundtrack album "WWE Originals."
Youtube
2005

After winning the WWE United States Championship the previous year, Cena defeated John "Bradshaw" Mayfield at WrestleMania 21 to win his first World Championship, solidifying his status as a wrestling star.
Youtube
2006

Cena made his feature acting debut in WWE Studios' "The Marine" opposite Robert Patrick. Along with his new wrestling persona as a marine private who sports flags and denim shorts, the movie helped make Cena the new American hero of the WWE.
20th Century Fox
2010

After a guest appearance on "Saturday Night Live," Cena was allowed to display his comedy chops on an episode of USA Network's "Psych," serving as a sign of things to come. Cena would return in 2017 for "Psych: The Movie."
USA Network
2012

After several years of losing and regaining the WWE Championship title, Cena entered into one of the biggest feuds in wrestling history against Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. After Johnson "screwed" Cena out of a match, Cena issued a challenge against Johnson for WrestleMania 28, exactly one year later. The highest-grossing event in WWE history ended with Johnson defeating Cena with his patented "Rock Bottom" move.
Youtube
2013

Cena challenged Johnson to a rematch at WrestleMania 29, a challenge that Johnson accepted. This time, Cena emerged victorious. After the match, the two stars publicly shook hands and embraced, ending their feud.
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2015

2015 turned out to be a breakthrough year for Cena, who appeared in the comedy films "Sisters," "Daddy's Home" and "Trainwreck." He also made a memorable guest appearance as himself in the final season of "Parks and Recreation."
Universal Pictures/NBC
2015 (cont'd)

In addition to his wrestling fans, Cena is known and beloved for his philanthropy, particularly his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cena began his relationship with the organization in 2004 and has since granted over 500 wishes.
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2016

In 2016, Cena began hosting the Fox reality series "American Grit," which pitted civilians against each other in grueling physical challenges under the guidance of seasoned military vets.
Michael Becker/Fox
2017

Leaning into his image, Cena opened the year by playing a soldier in Doug Liman's war thriller "The Wall" opposite Aaron Taylor-Johnson. He then appeared in "Daddy's Home 2" before voicing a gentle bull with a big heart in "Ferdinand."
Amazon Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
2017 (cont'd)

After hosting the Australian Kids' Choice Awards in 2008, Cena was invited to host the Kids' Choice Awards in 2017. After he charmed and slimed his way into the audience's hearts, he was invited to host again this year.
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2018

Cena will soon appear in his first comedic lead role opposite Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz in "Blockers." He will also co-star in the "Transformers" spinoff "Bumblebee" with Hailee Steinfeld, as well as voice recurring villain Baron Draxum in Nickelodeon's new animated series "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
Universal Pictures

1 of 14

The wrestling favorite seems destined to inherit The Rock’s throne on his quest from the WWE ring to movie stardom

John Cena has risen through the professional wrestling ranks to become not just one of WWE's most popular Superstars, but one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment today. With "Blockers" set to open soon, let's take a look back at the rise of Cenation.

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The Evolution of John Cena, from WWE's Doctor of Thuganomics to 'Blockers' (Photos)

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