ION Bulks Up Film Lineup

NEW YORK: ION Television has secured the rights to 65 theatrical features from Universal Pictures, MGM and Sony Pictures for its Big Movie Weekend block.

The features will begin rolling out on the network in March and will air on the schedule through 2013. From NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution comes 31 features, including Baby Mama, Ray, Fast & Furious and Couples Retreat. MGM has licensed 22 films to the network, among them Dances with Wolves, Valkyrie and all five titles in the Rocky franchise. More than 12 films were picked up from Sony, including A Few Good Men, Stand By Me and Jumanji.

“Proven blockbuster theatrical movies, together with our quality television series, have proven to be a successful entertainment formula with both our male and female audiences,” said Brandon Burgess, CEO of ION Media Networks. “The Big Movie Weekend block is part of an overall strategy that has helped ION register record ratings over the last year.”