ITV Renews Bond Franchise

LOS ANGELES/LONDON: ITV has renewed its deal with MGM Worldwide Television for the rights to the James Bond movie franchise, which includes the U.K. free-TV premiere of Quantum of Solace with Daniel Craig.

For the first time in the U.K., all the Bond films, including Casino Royale, Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, GoldenEye, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, License to Kill and Diamonds are Forever, will be shown in high definition on ITV1 HD this year and next. “James Bond is a British cinematic icon loved by ITV’s audience and we’re delighted to continue the franchise’s long association with ITV, as well as the chance, for the first time, to show every Bond feature film in fantastic HD," said Zai Bennett, the director of digital channels and acquisitions at the British broadcasting group.

Gary Marenzi, co-president of MGM Worldwide Television, added, "We are pleased to be working with ITV on keeping the Bond franchise as vibrant as ever in high definition, which will be a big treat to Bond fans in the U.K. Working closely with ITV, MGM looks forward to making this valuable franchise even more enjoyable for its scores of British fans."