FX, Universal Pictures in New Film Deal

UNIVERSAL CITY, March 28:
In a deal with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution, News
Corporation’s FX has secured the network television window rights and the U.S.
basic-cable rights to more than a dozen films from Universal Pictures’ 2008
slate, including The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

The agreement includes
almost all of the films from Universal Pictures' 2008 slate, including The
Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,
Wanted, Hellboy II: The
Golden Army, Death Race, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Express and Changeling. In
addition to films from Universal Pictures, the deal also includes titles from
Universal's specialty labels, Rogue Pictures and Focus Features. The deal
grants FX the premiere exhibition of the films after the pay window.

Rick Finkelstein, the vice
chairman of Universal Pictures, commented: "This deal is a tremendous vote
of confidence in Universal Pictures. It has been a long time since we have seen
a presale of this magnitude. We look forward to working with FX, a leading
basic cable network. We couldn't be more pleased."

"We are ecstatic
about the deal and applaud FX's aggressive film acquisitions strategy,” said
Frances Manfredi, the executive VP and general sales manager of NBC Universal
Domestic Television Distribution. “They clearly understand the powerful effect
that strong theatricals can have on their primetime schedule.”

FX’s executive VP, Chuck
Saftler, added, "We're extremely impressed by the diversity and quality of
Universal's slate this year and we believe that the films in this package are a
great fit for FX and its growing theatrical library.”

—By Irene Lew