Starz Action/Westerns gets The Green Hornet, The Time Tunnel, & The Big Valley

[Pavan]

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.

[vhshunter]

When will the Big Valley be on?

[Brian]

Alright! I just love Time Warner Digital Cable. Now I get to watch two more classic shows.

[dawsongirl]

My mom was just talking about The Green Hornet. My aunt loves that show. I wonder if she gets those.

[B&W fan]

Pav,

Please let us know as soon as possible about dates for the 3 new shows! I'll sign up the day before they begin and hit the "record" button on my dvd recorder!!

B&W "now, if only they'd add THE FUGITIVE to their line-up, I'd be in paradise" fan

[B&W fan]

Pav,

Just wondering if you've heard anything from Encore about the "debut" of these shows? When will it happen?

B&W "I've got to hurry up and purchase a good dvd recorder" fan

[Pavan]

Originally posted by B&W fan
Pav,

Just wondering if you've heard anything from Encore about the "debut" of these shows? When will it happen?

B&W "I've got to hurry up and purchase a good dvd recorder" fan

I'll try to find out.

[B&W fan]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
I'll try to find out.

Thanks Pav!

B&W "I only wish I had taped the Lone Ranger when it was on Encore Western last year" fan

[TVJunkie101]

Well, I'm not Pav, but it looks like Green Hornet starts October 4th on Starz/Encore's Action channel.

• Green Hornet - "The Silent Gun"
ACTON, Sat Oct 04 08:00am EDT

• Green Hornet - "Give 'Em Enough Rope"
ACTON, Sat Oct 04 08:30am EDT

[Pavan]

Sorry for the delay. The last 2 weeks have been hectic. As TVJunkie101 said, Green Hornet starts Oct. 4, and will air Saturdays in the 8 a.m. hour on the Action Channel.

No word yet on The Big Valley or Time Tunnel.

[TeeVeeCloset]

i can put the green hornett on dvd+r if anyone is interested...email me for details............

[B&W fan]

Pav,

Anything yet on when The Big Valley will be shown? It's been about two months since you last posted, so I thought I'd ask again.

B&W "I'd love to get those on dvd commercial free and uncut from Encore Western" fan

[Pavan]

Originally posted by B&W fan
Pav,

Anything yet on when The Big Valley will be shown? It's been about two months since you last posted, so I thought I'd ask again.

B&W "I'd love to get those on dvd commercial free and uncut from Encore Western" fan

Schedules are in until end of January, no sign of The Big Valley or Time Tunnel yet. Green Hornet will still air. As you know, The Big Valley does air on Hallmark, though it's not unedited.

[B&W fan]

Thanks for that quick reply. Yea, I know it airs on Hallmark, and I have been watching it, but I'm greedy and want to get it commercial free and unedited from a station like Encore.

B&W "well, that just gives me more time to save up for a dvd recorder, so the news isn't all bad" fan

[Pavan]

I did some investigating. The Time Tunnel starts airing on Action in June 2004. The Big Valley doesn't start until 2006 on Starz! Westerns.