Astral & NBCU Television Canada Enter Multiplatform Pact

TORONTO: Astral Media and NBCUniversal Television Canada have struck a multi-year deal that will see more than 600 Universal titles available to subscribers of The Movie Network, Mpix and Super Ecran.

A host of Universal titles, including exclusive first-window films such as Little Fockers, Hop, The Adjustment Bureau and Fast Five, will be offered on all available platforms. New releases, like Bridesmaids, will first appear on the pay-per-view service Viewers Choice, which is partially. Astral’s offerings already include content from Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Disney and Alliance. It also has films and series from long-term output deals with HBO and CBS Paramount, which represents Showtime’s programming.

"Universal Pictures has an outstanding slate of new movie titles both in the current pay-television window and looking forward to what’s in theatres and in production," said Kevin Wright, the senior VP of programming at Astral Television Networks. "We are pleased to be able to bring what will amount to hundreds of new titles to our pay-television services. This multi-year deal also expands upon our ability to offer this sought-after content across multiple platforms, including our on-demand channels and through TMN OnLine, our broadband streaming service which is offered through distributors such as BellTV, Rogers and Videotron."

"We are happy to continue our long and successful relationship with Astral and are looking forward to bringing Universal Pictures’ vast film slate to Astral’s pay-television subscribers on all available platforms, including online," added Ron Suter, the executive VP and general manager of NBCUniversal Television Canada. "The acquired films will include the blockbuster hit Bridesmaids and the highly anticipated upcoming films from Universal Pictures like The Bourne Legacy and Tower Heist."