Warner Bros. Scores Turkish Output Deal

BURBANK/ISTANBUL,
December 14: Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD)
has inked a new multi-year distribution agreement with SARAN Media in Turkey,
which has acquired the rights across a variety of platforms to current and
library feature films, television series and animation titles.

The new output deal expands upon WBITV’s current
distribution pact with SARAN Media and marks the continuation of a 10-year
relationship between the two companies. SARAN Media has acquired the premium,
basic, free and subscription video-on-demand rights to a wide range of
programming distributed by WBITD, and will license these properties to various
broadcasters in Turkey.

The agreement covers current and library feature films like
the upcoming I Am Legend, starring Will
Smith; the recent release Beowulf;
Oscar-winners The Departed and Happy
Feet; blockbusters like Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, 300 and Ocean’s Thirteen, as well as Flags of Our Fathers, Zodiac,
Blood Diamond and Training
Day. Also included in the output deal are
first-run series and animation for television.

“We are thrilled to announce this new, expanded deal with
SARAN Media and to continue the long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship
between our two companies,” said Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, the president of
Warner Bros. International Television. “We look forward to working closely with
SARAN to continue to bring the finest film and television programming to
viewers throughout Turkey.”

“It’s by far the largest programming deal in Turkish
television history,” said Alan K. Saran, the managing director of SARAN Media.
“We have great synergy with Warner Bros., and we are excited to continue and
expand our relationship.”

—By
Irene Lew