Showtime Extends Output Deal With Walt Disney Studios

DreamWorks films to continue on premium cabler through December 2018

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 3/14/2013 12:52:38 PM

Showtime Networks has extended its exclusive output deal with Walt Disney Studios to continue airing DreamWorks Studios' films.

The new agreement will include all DreamWorks Studios' theatrical releases through December 2018 to air across Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix, as well as multiplex channels. The new current agreement runs through 2015.

Disney drew some raised eyebrows last December amid heightened interest in output deals when it opted for Netflix over longtime partner Starz. Netflix touted that deal as a "game-changer," but Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger last month said he has no concern it would hurt viewership of Disney's linear channels. He called it a 'movie play' during a conference call to discuss the company's first-quarter results."

Titles included in the deal include Lincoln, which will debut later this year, as well as The Help and War Horse, which are already airing. DreamWorks Studios formed a distribution partnership with Disney in 2009.

"We are delighted to extend our output deal with The Walt Disney Studios as we continue to offer DreamWorks' critically-acclaimed theatrical films to our subscribers," said Gary Garfinkel, senior VP, content acquisitions and Kent Sevener, senior VP, content acquisitions and business and legal affairs. "Coupled with our award-winning series, specials, documentaries and sports offerings, as well as our current supply of theatrical titles, these wonderful films add incredible value to our robust programming slate."