E-commerce giant Alibaba Group has entered into a partnership with US-based studio Lions Gate Entertainment Corp as it takes a further step into the digital entertainment sector ahead of its initial public offering in the United States next month.

The studio will launch a subscription streaming service through Alibaba's Internet television set-top boxes, allowing viewers access to blockbusters like the "Twilight" saga and "The Hunger Games" series, according to a joint statement yesterday.

TV shows including "The Royals," "Nashville" and "Mad Men" will also be streamed on Alibaba's platform.

"We're pleased to collaborate with Alibaba, and the launch of our streaming service in China underscores our commitment to innovation and leadership in delivering premium content to digital platforms around the world," Lions gate chief executive officer Jon Feltheimer said in the statement.

Liu Chunning, president of Alibaba Group's digital entertainment business unit, said: "The cooperation signals our ongoing commitment to advance our vision of making digital media entertainment available to our customers anywhere, anytime."

The service will be available on Alibaba's next generation of set-top boxes starting early next month. Viewers will also have access to a number of exclusive trailers and behind the scenes extras.

Alibaba's first generation set-top box was released in September in collaboration with Wasu Media.

Alibaba purchased a 60 percent stake in Hong Kong-listed ChinaVision Media Group last month.

In April, Alibaba founder and chairman Jack Ma and other partners paid US$1.05 billion for a 20 percent stake in Wasu Media Holding Co.