007 to headline new studio based movie channel

In brief news, 007 will be heading the line-up of a new premium movie channel to rival HBO.

Sumner Redstone's Viacom Inc will launch a premium TV and movie channel with Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, aiming a direct volley at Time Warner Inc's HBO as well as Redstone's own Showtime networks owned by CBS Corp.

The new channel will have originally produced television series, as well as feature upcoming movies like "Iron Man" and "GI Joe" and classic hits such as MGM's "James Bond" franchise and Lionsgate's "Dirty Dancing." It is expected to launch in autumn 2009, the companies said in a statement on Sunday.

Harry E. Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc, said: "At MGM, we are very pleased to have found two partners that share our vision of providing first-run movies and premium-quality original television programming across linear and digital platforms in a new way. Our approach delivers unique flexibility for program distributors as well as consumer options that will provide the highest quality entertainment. The newly revitalized MGM, under the direction of Mary Parent, Chairman, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, is preparing to bring top projects to the venture including the newly acquired Robert Ludlum's The Maratese Circle, which will star Denzel Washington as well as franchised movies based on James Bond, Pink Panther and Thomas Crown."

Discuss this news here...