Sky secures pan-European Sony movies deal
April 18, 2016
In a mark of the benefits of its greater European negotiating clout following the creation of its pan-European operation, Sky and Sony Pictures Television have revealed their first ever multi-year pan-European movies agreement covering Sky’s subscription and transactional movie services in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy
What is described as a “landmark” deal comprises all new and future Sony releases, including for the first time any UHD productions, and it will help Sky reinforce its position as the market-leading movies service for customers in each of its territories.
It means millions of customers of Sky’s subscription movie services in Europe – Sky Movies, Sky Cinema and Sky Film – will have the chance to watch all the latest Sony blockbusters over a year ahead of any other subscription service and only a few months after they have been released in cinemas. They will be able to watch the films whenever and wherever they want on any mobile and tablet device including through Europe’s biggest mobile TV service, Sky Go.
Anyone who uses Sky’s transactional movie services across Europe — Sky Store, Sky Select and Sky Primafila — will also be able to rent and, where available, buy Sony’s new releases and classic titles. Customers of Sky’s streaming services, NOW TV and Sky Online, can also watch Sony’s films live and on demand.
The wide-ranging agreement is the first multi-territory deal with a major Hollywood movie studio that Sky has negotiated. Previously, Sky and Sony Pictures Television negotiated agreements on a territory-by-territory basis. Although the deal covers multiple territories, Sky and Sony Pictures Television will continue to deliver films in a way that preserves the local characteristics of each market and best meets the needs of Sky customers in each individual country.
As a result of the agreement, Sky customers can look forward to major new films including Ghostbusters, Angry Birds, Money Monster and Inferno. Sony is responsible for many of the biggest global box office hits including the Spiderman franchise, Captain Phillips, Hotel Transylvania 2, The Fifth Wave and Goosebumps. As well as all the latest blockbusters, Sky customers can enjoy an expanded on demand library with hundreds of much-loved films ranging from Lawrence of Arabia, Philadelphia and Close Encounters of the Third Kind to major franchises such as Men in Black and The Karate Kid.
Gary Davey, Managing Director, Content, Sky, said the broadcaster’s customers would be able to enjoy all the latest Sony blockbusters over a year before any other subscription service with the ability to watch them whenever and wherever they choose. “Sony has a fantastic track record of producing big global hits with a really exciting slate of films coming up including Ghostbusters and Inferno. Along with our investments in entertainment, sport and the arts, major agreements like this help meet our commitment to provide our customers with exclusive, world-class films and programmes and the very best TV experience.”
Keith LeGoy, President, International Distribution at Sony Pictures Television, described Sky as “a fantastic collaborator”, adding that the “landmark” movie deal across multiple territories further cemented their relationship over the coming years. “Together we are now able to bring what are sure to be some of the biggest and most talked-about movies and upcoming releases to Sky viewers across Europe for the first time.”