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According to a press release, the new premium (read: pay) channel, announced Sunday, will have access to Paramount and Paramount Vantage titles released theatrically on or after January 1, 2008 and MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate titles released theatrically on or after January 1, 2009.
Of course, older movies from the studios' libraries will be available as well. And there will be original series as well, which could be good news if they can create series as good as say, The Sopranos and Dexter.
For channels like Showtime and HBO, more bad news in that:
The venture's programming slate will have exclusive access during the pay television window to such recent and highly anticipated films as Iron Man, Star Trek, Pink Panther 2, Cloverfield, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Shutter Island, GI Joe, Love Guru, and Valkyrie, along with many others currently in production including planned new installments of Robocop and Outer Limits.
All right, perhaps some of those aren't a big deal, but Iron Man, Cloverfield and Star Trek?
Philippe Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom Inc., which will provide "operational support" for the venture, said:
"This venture has the potential to be a game changer for the industry. We are building an innovative service that will use traditional and new digital distribution technologies to bring great film and television entertainment directly to the consumer. By combining the output of Paramount with MGM and Lionsgate, two film and television powerhouses, we are creating a premium film and television programming brand with unique flexibility to bring consumers the very best blockbuster movies and innovative TV series.
"We are extremely pleased to be in business with MGM and Lionsgate in this exciting new venture which will provide our companies with a strong presence in the premium TV marketplace well into the future."
No mention made of any Internet-based content, but Dauman did mention "digital distribution," so who knows for sure? The venture is still lacking a name, by the way.
Source: Tech Ex
Posted April 21st, 2008 by Armen Hareyan
