MUMBAI: English movie channel Star Movies has been able to ink an output deal with Universal Studios. This would be a blow to HBO as it had the rights to air the movies from Universal Studios in India.

The new deal between Star Movies and Universal Studios will come into effect from 1 January 2013.

Star Movies has also renewed its first output deals with Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox.

All these deals will give the broadcaster access to films like ?The Avengers?, ?The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1?, ?Snow White And The Huntsman?, ?John Carter?, and ?Battle Ship?

These first output deals with the major studios will help Star Movies strengthen its position in India. "These studios are understanding the importance of the Indian market and also identifying its credentials as the driver of the category in terms of reach, market share as well as thought leadership," Star said.

For HBO, which had slipped ground due to new competition, the new realignment has not been good news. Last year, Pix had snatched from HBO the rights to air movies from the Sony library. HBO, however, still has output deals with Warner and Paramount.

MUMBAI: Cableready, the international television programme distribution and development company, has closed a series of global sales and renewal agreements which collectively exceed 315 hours of programming. The announcement was made by president, CEO Gary Lico.

He said, "As illustrated by the latest round of new deals and renewals, Cableready‘s diverse catalogue continues to attract return customers as well as forging new relationships with various broadcasters and platforms. We look to continue this momentum as we head to Mipcom."

The following sales and renewals deals have been closed by CABLEready as it prepares for the Mipcom market in Cannes, France next week:

? HBO Central Europe licensed 26 episodes of ‘Inside the Actors Studio‘, the long running interview series hosted by James Lipton, including the Brad Pitt episode.

? Multicanal (Spain) licensed six episodes of ‘Big Five Challenge‘, the African safari contestant show.

? NBCUniversal Latin America licensed 10 additional episodes of entertainment news magazine series ‘Hollywood Dailies‘.

? Turner Latin America licensed 50 episodes of movie countdown series ‘Hollywood‘s Top Ten‘.

? After a successful premiere with episode one, AETN‘s Bio (US) licensed episodes two through five of ‘Women on Death Row‘, a documentary series that offers a glimpse into the lives of woman who have committed the ultimate crime ? murder.

? Discovery‘s Destination America (US) licensed 11 titles from LMNO Productions, including ‘Secrets of Muscle Cars‘, ‘Secrets of High End Hawaii‘ and ‘World‘s Best Orlando‘.

? AETN UK has renewed season 12 of ‘Medical Detectives‘.

? Foxtel (Australia) renewed seasons one through five, as well as seasons 11 and 13 of ‘Forensic Files‘, a series that takes viewers through every step of a forensic investigations.

? MSM (Singapore) renewed 52 episodes of ‘Hollywood One on One‘, the series that gives viewers an up-close and uncensored look at the world‘s biggest films and top actors.

? Intra Communications (Russia) licensed 13 episodes of ‘The Minimalist‘, cooking series featuring New York Times food writer, culinary expert and TV personality Mark Bittman.

? SoHo Channel (New Zealand) licensed five episodes of ‘Inside the Actors Studio‘, including the Judd Apatow episode.

? Studio U7 (Russia) licensed 19 episodes of the procedural crime series ‘Medical Detectives‘.

? Hulu.com (US digital) licensed 13 titles from Alliant Content, including ‘Accident Investigator‘, ‘Billion Dollar Disasters‘, ‘Black Widow Women‘, ‘Fire and Ice‘ and ‘Gods of Destruction‘.

? Proxima Video VOD (Bulgaria) licensed five titles, including ‘Great Museums‘ and ‘It Could Happen Tomorrow‘.

 
CABLEready also licensed episodes of ‘Inside the Actors Studio‘ to several airlines. British Airways, Swiss International Airlines and Etihad Airways licensed the ‘Mad Men‘ episode, Korea Airline licensed the Colin Firth episode and Oman Air licensed the Brad Pitt episode.

MUMBAI: Fans in India of US broadcaster HBO‘s orginal show ‘Boardwalk Empire‘ will continue to see it as the broadcaster has renewed it for a fourth season.

The announcement was made by HBO Programming president Michael Lombardo.

Lombardo said, "Terry Winter, Martin Scorsese and the rest of their outstanding team continue to produce a stunning show thatnever fails to surprise and entertain. We are excited to bring this unique series back for a fourth season."

The show is set in the 1920s during Prohibition, and chronicles the life and times of Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, the undisputed leader of Atlantic City.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO CEO Bill Nelson will step down at the end of the year.

Under the new management structure, Eric Kessler will serve as president, COO and Michael Lombardo will serve as president, programming, and both will report to Richard Plepler, who will become the CEO.

Time Warner chairman, CEO Jeff Bewkes said,"Bill and I have worked together for many, many years and though I?m sad to see him leave, I respect his decision to enjoy retirement. He is a world-class CEO and leaves the company well-positioned for the future. The company will not miss a step with the new team, which has the combination of talent and experience to drive HBO to new heights of creative excellence, innovation, and financial performance. Richard and Eric are twenty-plus year veterans of the company who, as Co-Presidents, helped HBO re-establish its pre-eminence over the past five years, and Mike Lombardo has done an exceptional job in developing the best slate in HBO?s history."

Nelson said, "HBO has been my home for almost 30 years so this decision was an emotional one. With my elevation to CEO more than five years ago, we set an ambitious agenda for HBO, and I?m proud to say that I feel the company has never been in better shape financially or creatively. I feel very comfortable in taking this step now because I know HBO will continue in its tradition of innovation and acclaimed programming and retain its superior position in our industry in the hands of Richard, Eric, Mike and the entire team."

MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media?s English movie channel Pix?s business head Sunder Aaron has put in his papers and is serving his notice period.

An industry source confirming the news said that Aaron was the one who spearheaded the channel which started out in 2006 by showing library content.

Pix moved on to telecast premieres last year after it got the Sony library which was earlier with HBO.

Aaron joined MSM in 2002. He was earlier in Los Angeles with Sony Pictures Television International.

MUMBAI: Twentieth Century Fox has renewed its output deal in the US with HBO agreeing to a long-term extension with the subscription pay service.

HBO has been the premium network home of Twentieth Century Fox films for over 30 years. This extension will carry the ongoing relationship into the next decade.

Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution president Mark Kaner said, "We couldn?t be happier to announce the extension of our long-standing relationship with HBO, the leading premium pay television service in the United States. We look forward to continuing our partnership as Fox evolves its distribution business within the ever-changing media landscape."

HBO president, film programming Bruce Grivetti said, "Because of our long and successful partnership with Fox, HBO has been able to deliver to its subscribers some of Hollywood?s biggest theatricals. These films have always enhanced the value of the service so it is great that this ongoing relationship will now extend into the next decade."