Showtime Inks DreamWorks Film Deal

Pay cabler picks up window for 35 of the studio's feature films

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/11/2010 12:41:46 PM

Showtime has made the biggest deal yet to boost its film library, following the departure of Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM announced in 2008. The pay cable network has inked a deal with DreamWorks to televise up to 35 of the studio's films that are released between 2010 and 2015. DreamWorks is owned by The Walt Disney Company.

"We are very pleased to be in business with The Walt Disney Company in bringing us theatrical films from DreamWorks," said Showtime CEO Matt Blank.   "We expect a great supply of high-profile commercially successful films from Steven Spielberg, Stacey Snider and their wonderful team. Combined with our current supply of theatrical titles, our subscribers will enjoy a diverse slate of films for years to come."

Showtime has been busy boosting its film library after its three largest film studio partners, MGM, Lionsgate and Paramount, announced they would be starting their own pay cable channel, now called Epix.

So far the network has inked deals with The Weinstein Company, Summit Entertainment (producers of the Twilight saga), Miramax and CBS Films.