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MGM Networks, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Inc. has entered into agreements to launch MGM-branded channels
in Portugal and South Korea.
These channel agreements, combined with MGM Networks' launch
in the Middle East earlier this year, nearly doubles the
number of countries in which MGM has established a channel
presence to date. MGM now has equity interests in foreign
channels that reach more than 40 countries around the world,
according to an official release. In India, the network
has a joint venture with broadcaster Zee for its English
movie channel Zee MGM.
In Europe, an MGM Movie Channel is planned to launch
in May in Portugal. MGM commenced its Europe footprint by
launching the MGM Movie Channel in Malta on 1 February and
in Russia on 1 March this year. The MGM Movie Channel was
launched in Malta on Melita Cable, the release states. In
Russia, MGM Networks inked a deal with Metromedia International,
which introduced the MGM Movie Channel into the market of
the former U.S.S.R. on 1 March, initially launching on the
Kosmos MMDS system in Moscow. In Portugal the MGM Movie
Channel will commence on cable systems owned by Cabovisao,
S.A.
The MGM Movie Channels in Russia and Malta are owned
100 per cent by MGM Networks. The Portuguese service will
be provided by MGM Networks Latin America LLC, which operates
the MGM Networks Latin America business. In South Korea,
MGM has announced an alliance with the country's leading
DVD distributor, Spectrum DVD, to launch a customised Korean
language service later this month. The MGM Movie Channel
- Korea will be carried on the new Skylife DBS platform.
MGM Networks will own 33 per cent of this channel, the maximum
permitted under Korean law.
All the channels offer round-the-clock offerings from
MGM's celebrated 4,000-title library, the largest modern
film library in the world, claims the company. Films include
the pyschological thriller Hannibal, the Reese Witherspoon
comedy Legally Blonde, and Heartbreakers which
is about a pair of mother-daughter con artists.
The library also includes 19
Woody Allen films, and the popular James Bond, Rocky
and Pink Panther franchises.
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