The broadcaster has made a deal to keep the free-to-air rights for the James Bond franchise and to show all the films in HD
ITV has struck a deal to keep hold of the free-to-air rights for the James Bond franchise, including the rights to air the complete back catalogue of more than 20 films in high definition for the first time.
The broadcaster, which has had a longstanding relationship with MGM Worldwide Television for the free-to-air UK rights for the Bond films, has signed a multi-year renewal agreement that includes the premiere of Daniel Craig's Quantum of Solace on terrestrial TV.
As part of the renewal agreement, the broadcaster reckons it will show all the Bond films in HD for the first time in a season on ITV1 spanning 2010 and 2011. ITV1 HD launched this year.
"James Bond is a British cinematic icon loved by ITV's audience and we're delighted to continue the franchise's long association with ITV, as well as the chance, for the first time, to show every Bond feature film in fantastic HD," said Zai Bennett, ITV's director of digital channels and acquisitions.
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"Those were the days when we still associated Bond with suave, old school actors such as Sean Connery and Roger Moore,"
"Daniel didn't have a hint of suave about him," - Patsy Palmer
Kristatos wrote:Will they still cut them to ribbons?
I would have thought so as they seem to be on at 2 in the afternoon.
The broadcaster, which has had a longstanding relationship with MGM Worldwide Television for the free-to-air UK rights for the Bond films, has signed a multi-year renewal agreement that includes the premiere of Daniel Craig's Quantum of Solace on terrestrial TV.
MGM, ITV renew deal for Bond films
Multi-year pact includes "Quantum of Solace" premiere
By Elizabeth Guider
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Aug 16, 2010, 09:14 PM ET
MGM's TV distribution unit has inked a multiyear renewal agreement with ITV for the James Bond movies.
The deal, unveiled Monday by MGM Worldwide TV co-president Gary Marenzi, will keep the franchise on the British commercial network and its family of channels for several years and includes the over-the-air premiere of "Quantum of Solace," the most recent film in the series.
For the first time in the U.K. marketplace, all the Bond films -- including "Casino Royale," "Goldfinger," "From Russia With Love" and "Diamonds Are Forever" -- will be shown on ITV1 HD.
No details were available as to the value of the renewal deal. Bond films typically rate well on European TV stations in their first airing and often are shown during holiday periods. But, for example, the last time "Casino Royale" was shown on ITV, its audience peaked at 3.6 million viewers, though this wasn't that movie's first free TV outing.
Annual revenue from licensing the MGM library domestically and internationally to TV outlets, including moneys for the Bonds, is thought to be in the $300 million range.
"James Bond is a British cinematic icon loved by ITV's audience, and we're delighted to continue the franchise's long association with ITV as well as the chance, for the first time, to show every Bond feature film in fantastic HD," ITV director of digital channels and acquisitions Zai Bennett said.
ITV's broadcasting business is made up of ITV1, the country's largest commercial channel in terms of audience share, and several digital channels.
The network each year invests about £1 billion ($1.57 billion) in content for its channels and the website itv.com.
The debt-burdened Lion's future continues to be up in the air, with a hook-up with Spyglass Entertainment now the most likely scenario.
3.6 million viwers? Sounds like USA cable networks numbers.
"Those were the days when we still associated Bond with suave, old school actors such as Sean Connery and Roger Moore,"
"Daniel didn't have a hint of suave about him," - Patsy Palmer
Kristatos wrote:Will they still cut them to ribbons?
I would have thought so as they seem to be on at 2 in the afternoon.
So now you can get to see the CIA agent in New Orleans at the beginning of LALD apparently dropping dead of a heart attack (because the shot of him being stabbed has been cut) in glorious 1080p.
"He's the one that doesn't smile" - Queen Elizabeth II on Daniel Craig
