Sky: Licensed to show 007
April 12, 2012
Marking the 50th anniversary of the franchise, the entire James Bond film catalogue, from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, will be available on Sky Movies from October 2012. Customers will be able to enjoy all of the titles from the iconic franchise, as well as upcoming releases, in HD and without commercial interruption.
The twenty-two official Bond titles from EON Productions, from Dr No to Quantum of Solace, will be shown on Sky Movies Showcase HD. In addition, the two non-EON titles -1967’s Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again – will also be available in HD to Sky Movies Showcase HD customers. The upcoming official Bond film Skyfall, which will be released theatrically on October 26, 2012 in the UK, will arrive on Sky Movies Box Office and in the Sky Store in the spring of 2013.
The deal marks the first time the complete catalogue of Bond films will have ever been shown uninterrupted and in high definition (HD) in the UK. It offers Bond fans the opportunity to experience the films via Sky Movies’ comprehensive movies service – on the linear channels, on demand and on the go.
The films will come into licence to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the franchise, with the first film, Dr No, released on 5 October 1962.
The Sky deal marks the departure of the franchise from free-to-air commercial pubcaster ITV. The broadcaster’s existing agreement with the distributor, signed in 2010, draws to a close in August.
ITV has screened the movies since Dr No made its UK small-screen debut in 1975 and they still perform well across the broadcaster’s family of channels. The free-to-air premiere of Quantum Of Solace drew 5.16 million (22.87 per cent share) viewers in 2011.