Television
June 9, 2005
FilmFlex Signs Movie Video-On-Demand Content Deal With Warner Bros. International Television Distribution
(June 9, 2005 - London) – FilmFlex, the recently launched movie Video On Demand (VOD) service backed by joint venture partners Sony Pictures Television International (a Sony Pictures Entertainment company), Walt Disney Television International (a division of The Walt Disney Company Ltd) and pay-TV specialist ON Demand Group, has today announced a major content deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) to provide new release films and library classics to FilmFlex.
The content deal with WBITD includes new release titles such as "Ocean’s 12," "A Cinderella Story" and "The Exorcist: The Beginning." WBITD will also provide library classics such as "Oceans 11," "Analyze This," "Nightmare on Elm Street 3" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice."
FilmFlex recently commenced deployment of its movie VOD service over the ntl and Telewest digital cable networks and the service is now available in Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Nottingham. FilmFlex will continue to roll out its service, region by region, in line with the cable networks large-scale deployment of VOD in 2005.
With over 200 on demand film titles now available, ntl and Telewest subscribers will be able to choose from a broad range of film titles including both new release and library classics. The launch of FilmFlex has proven to hold a strong appeal with families and under the under 45-age category. The most watched movies last month were "Mean Girls," "King Arthur," "Spider-man 2," "13 Going on 30," "50 First Dates" and "Jersey Girl."
FilmFlex, with its shareholding backing of two Hollywood studios, and with movies from the majority of US studios and other independents, can now offer a broad selection of film titles for digital cable subscribers.
“The depth and breadth of films on offer is one of the key features that attract users to VOD,” commented Andy Birchall, Chairman ON Demand Group. “We are delighted that Warner Bros. is providing some of its great movie classics and new releases for the FilmFlex service which further underpins our objective in creating the pre-eminent movie experience for cable customers in the UK. As FilmFlex continues to roll out across the UK in 2005, it is part of our strategy to ensure we are providing an unbeatable selection of films for viewers.”
The ON Demand Group, a leader in interactive media development, service and content management, and television production, has brokered several content deals for FilmFlex including deals with CBS Paramount, MGM-UA, Dreamworks and other independent Hollywood studios.
About FilmFlex
The European Commission formally approved the submission from MovieCo/FilmFlex for the creation of a joint venture to provide a VOD film service in the United Kingdom on 12 November 2004. FilmFlex is currently available in Glasgow, Bristol, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Nottingham and the company will continue to deploy its movie VOD service across the UK in 2005.
About Warner Bros. International Television Distribution
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution is one of the world's largest distributors of feature films, television programs and animation to the international television marketplace (broadcast, pay cable, basic cable, satellite, pay-per-view, video-on-demand, digital platforms, etc.). It licenses some 45,000 hours of programming (including more than 6,000 features and 50 current series), dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages, to telecasters and cablecasters in more than 175 countries.
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