ZillionTV Bolsters Offerings with Lionsgate Pact

SUNNYVALE: ZillionTV, which bills itself as a "personalized television service," has struck a content agreement Lionsgate covering current and library feature films and TV series such as Mad Men and Weeds.

Mad Men, Weeds, Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail, The Haunting In Connecticut, My Bloody Valentine 3-D and Rambo, among others, will be available on the broadband-delivered ZillionTV Service as pay-per-view or electronic sell-through. A selection of catalogue titles will be accessible as free, advertising-supported VOD programs.

“We are delighted to add Lionsgate’s diverse range of television and film properties to the ZillionTV service,” said Mitch Berman, the executive chairman of ZillionTV. “Lionsgate has already established itself as the leading next-generation studio committed to finding new and exciting ways to connect with its consumers and it offers an impressive array of commercially-successful and critically-acclaimed feature films and television programming in addition to its enormous library of filmed entertainment content. This agreement demonstrates that content providers can benefit from new revenue streams without having to pass along costs to the viewer. The ZillionTV Service is subscription-free and in the case of a selection of Lionsgate catalogue titles, offers advertising-supported programming for free."

“We are always exploring new ways to monetize our content in a digital world,” added Curt Marvis, the president of digital media at Lionsgate. “We believe that ZillionTV has distinguished itself with a strong business model and an impressive content offering, and we look forward to our partnership to deliver content to our audiences with the customization and immediacy of the online world.”

ZillionTV is focused on partnering with existing broadband and telco providers, but is also retailing its service directly to consumers in areas where it doesn’t have a partner. ZillionTV is scheduled for nationwide availability in the second half of 2010.