ION Scores Warner Bros. Features

WEST PALM BEACH: ION Television has picked up a new feature-film package from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (WBDTD) that includes exclusive windows for The Departed and Ocean’s Thirteen.

ION can begin airing titles immediately, with broadcast runs extending to next year. The package also includes Heat, The Matrix Reloaded, The Perfect Storm, Passenger 57 and Assassins, among others. The new deal builds on ION’s existing pact with Warner Bros., with the network now having the rights to almost 70 titles from the studio.

“We have built a strong momentum in acquiring hit films from all the major studios, with this being the fourth recent acquisition from Warner Bros.,” said Leslie Chesloff, the executive VP of programming at ION Media Networks. “This deal reinforces our mission to bring our viewers a prime time programming mix that combines compelling first run and top network series with major theatrical titles, including exclusive windows for features. We are confident that as viewers continue to gravitate toward ION’s positively entertaining programming, we will maintain and expand the level of dramatic audience growth that has been a signature of our success since last year’s re-launch.”