[TV] Starz Announces Long-Term Deal With Sony Pictures
Posted by Joseph Lee on 02.11.2013
Through 2021...
Coming Soon reports that Starz has announced a new long-term, first-run premium agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment through 2021.
Starz will get the exclusive pay TV rights to Sony's theatrical releases through that time. Their previous agreement was through 2016. That deal started with 2005 theatrical releases, including titles from Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, TriStar, and Screen Gems.
The new deal provides content for Starz and Encore in standard and high definition. These include subscription VOD services in standard, HD and 3D, as well as online streaming including Starz Play and Encore Play. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Sony films coming in 2013 that will debut on Starz include The Amazing Spider-Man, 21 Jump Street, Zero Dark Thirty, The Vow, Men In Black 3, and Resident Evil: Retribution.
Chris Albrecht, Starz CEO, said: "STARZ and ENCORE subscribers have enjoyed the consistently stellar theatrical product from Sony, and we are thrilled to extend our exclusive partnership into the next decade. Starz will continue to offer the richest premium TV viewing experience for our subscribers and distributors for years to come thanks to STARZ' growing original programming slate, along with the robust lineup of new blockbuster Sony releases and our deep movie library."
John Weiser, President of US Distribution for Sony Pictures Television, added: "Starz has been a terrific partner and we are excited to be extending our relationship with them through the 2021 slate."
Starz is also the exclusive home for Disney theatrical releases, including its Lucasfilm, Marvel and Pixar releases, and their digital streaming rights, into 2017.
