LONDON: Sky has signed a pan-European movie deal with Sony Pictures, making it the UK satellite broadcaster's first ever agreement with a major Hollywood studio.
Sky announced in a statement that the deal covers all new and future Sony releases, including for the first time any films made in ultra-high definition, and they will be offered to Sky customers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy.
It means subscribers to Sky Movies, Sky Cinema and Sky Film will be able to watch the latest Sony movies over a year ahead of any other subscription service and just a few months after their cinema release.
Forthcoming blockbusters from Sony include "Ghostbusters", "Angry Birds", "Money Monster" and "Inferno" and these are among the films covered in the deal.
In addition, users of Sky's transactional movie services across Europe — Sky Store, Sky Select and Sky Primafila — will be able to rent and buy Sony's new releases and catalogue titles.
Furthermore, Sky's streaming services – NOW TV and Sky Online – are also included for movies both live and on demand.
"Sony has a fantastic track record of producing big global hits with a really exciting slate of films coming up including Ghostbusters and Inferno," said Gary Davey, managing director of content at Sky.
"Along with our investments in entertainment, sport and the arts, major agreements like this help meet our commitment to provide our customers with exclusive, world-class films and programmes and the very best TV experience."
Speaking on behalf of Sony Pictures Television, Keith LeGoy, its president of international distribution, said: "Sky is a fantastic collaborator and this landmark movie deal across multiple territories further cements our relationship over the coming years."
Sky already has similar deals in place with HBO and Showtime, the US cable and satellite TV networks, but this latest deal is its first with a major Hollywood movie studio.
Sky announced in a statement that the deal covers all new and future Sony releases, including for the first time any films made in ultra-high definition, and they will be offered to Sky customers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy.
It means subscribers to Sky Movies, Sky Cinema and Sky Film will be able to watch the latest Sony movies over a year ahead of any other subscription service and just a few months after their cinema release.
Forthcoming blockbusters from Sony include "Ghostbusters", "Angry Birds", "Money Monster" and "Inferno" and these are among the films covered in the deal.
In addition, users of Sky's transactional movie services across Europe — Sky Store, Sky Select and Sky Primafila — will be able to rent and buy Sony's new releases and catalogue titles.
Furthermore, Sky's streaming services – NOW TV and Sky Online – are also included for movies both live and on demand.
"Sony has a fantastic track record of producing big global hits with a really exciting slate of films coming up including Ghostbusters and Inferno," said Gary Davey, managing director of content at Sky.
"Along with our investments in entertainment, sport and the arts, major agreements like this help meet our commitment to provide our customers with exclusive, world-class films and programmes and the very best TV experience."
Speaking on behalf of Sony Pictures Television, Keith LeGoy, its president of international distribution, said: "Sky is a fantastic collaborator and this landmark movie deal across multiple territories further cements our relationship over the coming years."
Sky already has similar deals in place with HBO and Showtime, the US cable and satellite TV networks, but this latest deal is its first with a major Hollywood movie studio.
Data sourced from Sky; additional content by Warc staff
