Major players band together for pay TV outlet
Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and MGM have all banded together in a new pay-TV venture that will launch in 2009.
The announcement comes amid reports that Showtime, with which all three have an existing pay-TV distribution deal, is about to expire. Negotiations to renew that deal have essentially halted with the report being Showtime was unwilling to meet the price proffered by the studios.
Showtime says that’s fine and it doesn’t need the films what with its increasing stable of original series.
The new, as-yet-unnamed channel will combine library titles from all three as well as new releases like Iron Man and the Star Trek reboot. Original series from the three partners will also be included.
Speculation runs both ways as to whether this was a move made from a position of strength, with these parties knowing what they’re doing, or if this means they’re desperate to keep as much money for themselves.
Online and VOD distribution has yet to be ironed out or announced.
Chris Albrecht at NewTeeVee has a good list of questions that need to be asked and some suggestions to make things work with this new venture.
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