Comcast, MGM to Launch Action-Based VOD Channel

PHILADELPHIA, August 13:
Comcast Corporation and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) have teamed up for a new VOD
channel that features action movies and TV shows, including titles from the
James Bond, Rocky and RoboCop franchises.

With programming targeted
at men aged 18 to 49, the VOD offering will feature 25 to 30 titles each month
and about 200 per year. Categories will include thrillers, crime, war films,
martial arts, westerns and espionage, tapping into MGM’s catalogue of more than
1,000 action-based offerings, which will be available on the service after
their DVD rental release.

"The Comcast On
Demand platform is the perfect environment for targeted marketable brands and
programming," said Jim Packer, the co-president of MGM Worldwide
Television. "With more than 1,000 titles in the MGM library that fit our
new brand, I'm confident action fans will find Impact a one-stop destination
for all of their action entertainment needs."

"We're excited to
announce this partnership to launch an action-focused channel as movies are a
very popular feature on VOD," added Matt Strauss, the senior VP of new
media at Comcast Cable. "MGM's vast library will give action fans access
to their favorite movies at anytime through On Demand, with many available in
HD, further complementing our growing HD offering."

The channel will be rolled
out market by market this week to Comcast customers, and MGM is also in talks
with other pay-TV providers for carriage.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski