CALIFORNIA: MGM Worldwide Television Distribution, a unit of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has entered into an agreement with UPC Nederland B.V, Holland's largest cable operator, to launch the MGM Channel for the first time in the Netherlands. In India, the channel has a JV with Zee.
MGM Networks executive VP Bruce Tuchman said: "The Netherlands is one of the largest cable markets in Europe and UPC is the country's leading cable operator. We are excited to be making this deal as it will offer Dutch digital subscribers access to an even greater choice of compelling content, while opening up a new revenue stream for us in one of the most highly penetrated cable markets in the world."
The MGM Movie Channel plans to present round-the-clock offerings from MGM's celebrated 4,000-title library, the largest modern film library in the world, including Annie Hall, Bull Durham, , Midnight Cowboy. The channel is expected during the first quarter of 2003 and will also be made available to other Dutch cable operators.
Distribution of MGM's channel in Holland will join the company's growing stable of worldwide network interests in over 90 countries, including branded channels in India, Europe, Latin America, , Israel, Turkey and New Zealand, as well as the Middle East and South Korea.
In October 2002, MGM announced the planned launch of a customised channel in Germany which is anticipated to debut on the Premiere Pay TV platform during the second quarter of 2003. In the last year, MGM has grown by four-fold the number of territories in which it has established a channel presence.