Sky Deutschland expands MGM partnership

German pay TV operator Sky Deutschland has expanded its long term output agreement with MGM in a deal that exclusively hands it the Hollywood studio’s latest blockbuster movies.

The deal also includes a renewal of the MGM HD Channel in Germany and Austria, which launched earlier this year.

The content deal comprises exclusive pay TV rights for its linear channels and SVOD rights for Sky Deutschland’s on-demand services Sky Anytime and Sky Go.

Movies such as Skyfall and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey get their German and Austrian TV premieres on the 21^st Century Fox-owned Sky platform as a result. The films, which also include Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and the forthcoming Carrie, will remain locked to free-to-air broadcasters for at least a year after.

“Sky is number one when it comes to films, and through this output deal we can ensure that Sky customers will be the first to enjoy the latest high quality MGM movies. The new MGM HD Channel presents the greatest MGM classics in brilliant HD quality – a true added value for all film fans,” said Sky Deutschland’s executive VP, programming, Gary Davey.