Film1, the pay TV service of content and digital services company Chellomedia, has concluded multi-year agreements with Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution division of The Walt Disney Company, for the licensing of movies from producer groups such as Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. The first agreement gives exclusive rights in The Netherlands for this content to the Premium Pay TV services of Film1, carried on all major cable and DTH operators' networks, and also for Film1's subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service, planned for launch in 2007 to its existing Film1 subscribers. The two companies have also concluded a non-exclusive movie licensing agreement for transactional VOD (TVOD) on cable operator UPC's network in the territory.
These agreements are in line with The Walt Disney Company's focus on the application of technology to enhance its content and expand its distribution. Through the Premium Pay TV agreement, Film1 can enhance its already impressive movie database offered to Dutch consumers, and will be able to offer Disney movies in High Definition (HD) quality. Film1 offers four digital movie channels plus a HD movie channel to Dutch cable and satellite viewers, with many movies having their TV premiere, free of advertising.
The agreements announced include important provisions for cooperation between Chellomedia and BVITV against piracy of BVITV's content, while at the same time appropriately safeguarding the privacy of the subscribers of UPC's services and remaining consistent with local law, and industry practice.
"We will work closely with Chellomedia to launch this wide range of hit entertainment across these multiple platforms, and to help promote the legal enjoyment of entertainment content through helping grow legitimate, quality services such as these," commented Tom Toumazis, executive vice president & managing director, BVITV EMEA.
"We are very pleased with these agreements with Disney. With this deal and the agreements with other studios we will be able to offer consumers every day of the week a 'first-time-on-tv' movie at prime time, said Casper Keller, general manager of Film1. Disney will add a comprehensive range of family movies to Film1's movie line up and is complementary to the already existing agreements with other major Hollywood studios as well as independents and art house movies."
Under the agreements, viewers will be able to enjoy current, upcoming and library movies from The Walt Disney Company's portfolio, including the record-breaking Walt Disney Pictures blockbusters "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," its upcoming sequel "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," and the Jodie Foster thriller "Flightplan."
This agreement was concluded by BVITV's Karen Wrankmore, sales executive Digital Media and Michael Dick, sales manager, Benelux.
