Pavan
08-04-2003, 12:54 PM
Starz Encore and Twentieth Century Fox Conclude Extensive Library Agreement
Long-term Deal Includes Starz On Demand(SM) Rights
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 4 -- Adding to its already wide-ranging movie library, Starz Encore Group (Starz Encore), a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L, LMCb), and Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution (NYSE: NWS) have signed an extensive and long-term licensing agreement that delivers a rich variety of filmed entertainment to Starz Super Pak and Starz On Demand subscribers. The deal comprises both feature films and TV series, with pay TV rights for numerous blockbusters such as "Independence Day," "Speed," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Big," plus the entire "Die Hard," "Alien" and "Home Alone" series. The agreement was jointly announced today by Peter Levinsohn, executive vice president worldwide pay television and pay-per-view, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and Robert Leighton, president of Starz Encore Entertainment.
"Twentieth Century Fox was one of the original suppliers to Starz Encore and we are pleased to be extending our mutually beneficial relationship into the future as we embark on this new era of pay television on-demand," said Levinsohn.
"Fox has a great library, with over 80 years of magnificent films," said Leighton. "This deal allows Starz Encore to reach deep into the library for many years, fortifying our Starz Super Pak channels. In particular, adding Fox films to our Starz On Demand line-up takes it to a whole new level of excellence -- more than ever, having Starz On Demand will be like having a video store in your home."
Additional highlights from the deal are pay TV rights for many proven-favorite, contemporary hit movies such as "True Lies," "Cocoon," "The Abyss" and "The Jewel of the Nile," as well as numerous selections from Fox's deep classic library including such acclaimed and endearing films as "Patton," "The Poseidon Adventure," "The French Connection," "Cleopatra" and "The Seven Year Itch."
Also included in the deal are three popular television series from the 1960s that will find a new home on Starz Encore's thematic channels, such as Action and Westerns: "The Green Hornet" (1966-67) -- the cult classic starring Van Williams which introduced Bruce Lee to American television audiences, "The Time Tunnel" (1966-67) -- the fantasy adventure from Irwin Allen starring James Darren, Robert Colbert and Lee Meriwether, "The Big Valley (1965-69) -- the family western saga starring Barbara Stanwyck, Lee Majors and Linda Evans.
The financial terms of the deal are confidential.
Long-term Deal Includes Starz On Demand(SM) Rights
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 4 -- Adding to its already wide-ranging movie library, Starz Encore Group (Starz Encore), a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L, LMCb), and Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution (NYSE: NWS) have signed an extensive and long-term licensing agreement that delivers a rich variety of filmed entertainment to Starz Super Pak and Starz On Demand subscribers. The deal comprises both feature films and TV series, with pay TV rights for numerous blockbusters such as "Independence Day," "Speed," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Big," plus the entire "Die Hard," "Alien" and "Home Alone" series. The agreement was jointly announced today by Peter Levinsohn, executive vice president worldwide pay television and pay-per-view, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and Robert Leighton, president of Starz Encore Entertainment.
"Twentieth Century Fox was one of the original suppliers to Starz Encore and we are pleased to be extending our mutually beneficial relationship into the future as we embark on this new era of pay television on-demand," said Levinsohn.
"Fox has a great library, with over 80 years of magnificent films," said Leighton. "This deal allows Starz Encore to reach deep into the library for many years, fortifying our Starz Super Pak channels. In particular, adding Fox films to our Starz On Demand line-up takes it to a whole new level of excellence -- more than ever, having Starz On Demand will be like having a video store in your home."
Additional highlights from the deal are pay TV rights for many proven-favorite, contemporary hit movies such as "True Lies," "Cocoon," "The Abyss" and "The Jewel of the Nile," as well as numerous selections from Fox's deep classic library including such acclaimed and endearing films as "Patton," "The Poseidon Adventure," "The French Connection," "Cleopatra" and "The Seven Year Itch."
Also included in the deal are three popular television series from the 1960s that will find a new home on Starz Encore's thematic channels, such as Action and Westerns: "The Green Hornet" (1966-67) -- the cult classic starring Van Williams which introduced Bruce Lee to American television audiences, "The Time Tunnel" (1966-67) -- the fantasy adventure from Irwin Allen starring James Darren, Robert Colbert and Lee Meriwether, "The Big Valley (1965-69) -- the family western saga starring Barbara Stanwyck, Lee Majors and Linda Evans.
The financial terms of the deal are confidential.