USA Network has won its bet on Casino Royale for TV

16-Dec-2006 • Casino Royale

The Hollywood Reporter's Nellie Andreeva reports on the US TV broadcast rights in the US.

After heated bidding with several outlets, including broadcast networks, Spike TV, TNT and FX, USA landed the latest James Bond film starring Daniel Craig.

Under the five-year deal, said to be in the neighborhood of $20 million, USA will get the MGM/Columbia Pictures blockbuster movie in June 2009. The package, brokered by Sony Pictures TV, also gives the cable network the right to carve out an additional window on broadcast or cable.

"Casino Royale," the first Bond movie with Craig as the famous British spy, is on track to outpace "Die Another Day" as the highest-grossing movie in the franchise.

The James Bond movies have been strong performers on cable TV.

When TBS had the rights to many of the films, it launched a holiday 007 movie marathon on Christmas. The tradition was continued by Spike TV, which bought the James Bond movie package a few years ago.

Thanks to `TNR` for the alert.