Universal's output deal moves from HBO to Star Movies

MUMBAI: English movie channel Star Movies has been able to ink an output deal with Universal Studios. This would be a blow to HBO as it had the rights to air the movies from Universal Studios in India.

The new deal between Star Movies and Universal Studios will come into effect from 1 January 2013.

Star Movies has also renewed its first output deals with Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox.

All these deals will give the broadcaster access to films like ?The Avengers?, ?The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1?, ?Snow White And The Huntsman?, ?John Carter?, and ?Battle Ship?

These first output deals with the major studios will help Star Movies strengthen its position in India. "These studios are understanding the importance of the Indian market and also identifying its credentials as the driver of the category in terms of reach, market share as well as thought leadership," Star said.

For HBO, which had slipped ground due to new competition, the new realignment has not been good news. Last year, Pix had snatched from HBO the rights to air movies from the Sony library. HBO, however, still has output deals with Warner and Paramount.