Sky & NBCU Enter Exclusive Movie Deal

LONDON: Sky has secured a new multi-year licensing pact with NBCUniversal International Television Distribution for the exclusive TV rights in the U.K. and Ireland for current, upcoming and library feature films.

The films are for its Sky Movies service. All titles covered under the pact will be available to Sky customers on-demand, on Sky Go, as well as in HD and 3D where available. Sky Movies gains the exclusive window of subscription access to NBCU titles after they have ended their run in U.K. cinemas. Titles include Snow White & the Huntsman, Battleship, Ted, The Bourne Legacy, ParaNorman and Savages. Upcoming films that are part of the agreement include Anna Karenina, Les Miserables, Despicable Me 2 and The Man with the Iron Fists. Classic titles are also part of the deal, among them Jurassic Park, Back to the Future and American Pie.

Separately, Sky has entered into a deal with Universal Networks International (UNI) to extend the availability of UNI’s channels on Sky’s subscription packages. This enables Sky customers to have access to popular shows from across NBCU’s bouquet of channels on Sky, including such titles as Rookie Blue, Law & Order: SVU and Cold Case on Universal; Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Fashion Police on E! Entertainment Television; and Warehouse 13 and Haven on Syfy. Also part of the pact are The Style Network and Movies 24.

Ian Lewis, the director of Sky Movies, commented: “We are delighted to be able to announce an extension of our long-standing relationship with NBCUniversal. The combination of NBCU’s hit movies with Sky’s innovation will give customers an unrivaled in-home movies experience. Whether it’s The Bourne Legacy on demand, Despicable Me in 3D, or Ted on the go, Sky Movies customers will enjoy the biggest and best selection of movies on their terms—and at least a year ahead of any other subscription service.”

Jon Simkin, Sky’s director of channels and operations, added: “With a growing portfolio of popular shows from established pay-TV brands including Universal Channel, E! Entertainment and Syfy, we are investing in more choice and quality for customers. At the same time, we are helping NBCU reach advertisers and sponsors through the on-going relationship with Sky Media.”

Belinda Menendez, the president of NBCUniversal International Television Distribution and Universal Networks International, said: “We are very proud of the NBCUniversal portfolio of titles and channels represented by these two separate agreements. Sky customers will now have access to hit films such as Snow White & the Huntsman, The Bourne Legacy and Ted, in addition to a broad range of high-caliber programming on our bouquet of branded channels.”