'Pulp Fiction' studio Miramax is bought by Qatar-based beIN

Miramax, the film studio behind hundreds of hit movies including Pulp Fiction and Chicago, has been sold to the Doha-based beIN Media Group, the companies announced on Wednesday.

BeIN, which runs sports networks and movie channels in 24 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the US, said Miramax would continue to operate as an independent film and television studio under its new owners.

"We are extremely excited to have achieved this key milestone within our strategy," said Nasser al-Khelaifi, chairman and CEO of beIN Media Group.

Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Miramax's back catalogues of more than 700 movies have won a total of 68 Oscars, including for The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, and No Country for Old Men. 

Harvey and Bob Weinstein founded the company in 1979, and then sold it on to the Walt Disney Company for $60mn in 1993.

It was bought for more than 10 times that amount in 2010 by an investor group led by real estate magnate Ron Tutor, private equity firm Colony Capital and the Qatar Investment Authority, although Tutor later sold his stake to the Qataris.

BeIN separated from the Al Jazeera Media Network on 31 December 2013 to focus primarily on football matches and other sporting events.

Colony and Qatar had reportedly been looking to offload the company with its library for at least a year, although no investor came in for the $1bn asking price. 

In 2016, Miramax has invested or will be investing and co-distributing a number of titles including Bad Santa 2, Bridget Jones's Baby, Southside with You, The 9th Life of Louis Drax and the TV show From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, based on the film of the same name. 

Last year, the company's slate included Mr Holmes and the comedy hit The Wedding Ringer.

"Miramax is a successful film and television company, providing a strong and recognisable brand, a unique library and industry expertise that complement beIN Media Group's plans to grow across the entertainment industry and develop new content production," said Khelaifi.