ITV Scores Bond Franchise

LONDON: The James Bond film franchise, including Skyfall, is headed back to British free-to-air television following an exclusive multi-year deal between ITV and MGM International Television Distribution.

The pact covers all 23 films in the franchise, for broadcast across ITV, ITV2 and ITV4. Skyfall, the latest, will air in 2014. "Skyfall is the highest grossing film of all time at the U.K. box office and proves not only the enduring popularity of the Bond franchise but also its iconic status," said Angela Jain, ITV's director of digital channels and acquisitions. "I am delighted we have the entire Bond library of films on Britain's biggest commercial channel, a fantastic treat for all viewers."

"MGM is thrilled to partner again with ITV to bring James Bond home to U.K. audiences,“ said Chris Ottinger, the president of international television distribution and acquisitions at MGM. “The Bond franchise is a jewel in the MGM library and we are delighted to share the films with the viewers across the United Kingdom."

The Bond franchise had spent more than 30 years on the commercial broadcaster before moving to Sky in 2012.