MGM inks deal with Netflix for UK movie streaming

James Bond's studio MGM has today announced a new deal with streaming and DVD behemoth Netflix to provide a lot of 'first run' movies to the service. It will be welcome news to Netflix, who has seen their stock value slashed to one third in recent months due to a number of management missteps.

Although there was no mention of 007 specifically, it is expected that the back catalogue titles from the series would be included, as per the deal in the USA. However, the absence of "Skyfall" suggests the new film will not be in the line-up of first-run feature films appearing "within one year of their theatrical release".

Press Release
Netflix Inc. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. today announced a new multi-year licensing agreement that will make Netflix the exclusive subscription streaming service in the UK and Ireland for most first-run feature films from MGM.

MGM titles will be available for Netflix members in the UK and Ireland to watch instantly in the pay TV window on their televisions, tablets, game consoles, computers and mobile phones, for a low monthly price. Netflix announced last month that it would launch its service in the UK and Ireland early in 2012.

Appearing exclusively on Netflix within one year of their theatrical release will be such films as "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," the highly-anticipated prequels to the Academy Award-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Peter Jackson, "Zookeeper" starring Kevin James, "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," with Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, and "21 Jump Street," featuring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Ice Cube.

An extensive selection of great MGM catalogue titles will also be available on Netflix in the UK and Ireland, including "Capote," "Fargo," "The Usual Suspects," "West Side Story" and "The Amityville Horror."

"We are delighted to be entering the UK and Ireland with a legendary studio like MGM at our side," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. "And we are excited to be extending our relationship with MGM from the U.S. to these important markets and proud to be the exclusive home for their films in the traditional Pay TV window."

"We are thrilled to grow our partnership with Netflix as they expand into the UK and Ireland," said MGM Co-Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum.

"Developing this relationship further will help us bring our films, both old and new, into the homes of our loyal audiences with the great ease Netflix offers customers," said Roma Khanna, MGM's President Television Group and Digital.

Thanks to 'Samuel001' for the alert.

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