HBO Extends Exclusive Deal with Universal

LOS ANGELES: HBO has renewed its deal with Universal Pictures, covering the exclusive rights for the studio’s films through 2022, a move that blocks Netflix from gaining the movies for at least the next ten years.

HBO has held the rights for movies from Universal and Focus Features, the specialty label owned by NBCUniversal, since 2003. The previous contract was set to expire in 2016. HBO holds agreements with four different studios for the years to come: Warner Bros., Fox, Universal and Summit. This comes after Netflix scored the rights to Disney’s new releases starting in 2016.

“With HBO’s far-reaching network of premium services, ranging from the traditional in-home experience to its mobile applications, we are pleased to continue this relationship and bring Universal and Focus Features’ films to HBO subscribers for many years to come,” said Rick Finkelstein, the vice chairman and COO of Universal Pictures, in a statement. “With our upcoming slate of films, HBO will continue to offer outstanding film content to their already vast library of movies, specials and award-winning original programming.”