Sky grabs exclusive access to Warner Brothers films

BROADCASTING BUSINESS Sky has signed a deal with Warner Brothers studio that will keep the film company's content off services like Lovefilm and Netflix for at least a year.

The firms have announced a "comprehensive film agreement" today, explaining that it covers existing and upcoming movies.

Films like the Matrix and Lord of the Rings trilogies will be exclusive to Sky under the agreement, meaning that the rival on-demand services like Netflix and Lovefilm won't be able to show them.

The deal covers films that can be shown across the Sky estate, so that includes both its usual channels and its on-demand ones as well as Now TV, its internet based option that will appear on things like the Xbox and Youview as well as Iphones and Ipads.

Sky customers will get access to Warner Brothers studio content about six months after it limps out of cinemas and Sky will keep it exclusively for about a year.

Films that will be covered include Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Dark Knight Rises, Dark Shadows and Wrath of the Titans, as well as the upcoming movies Man of Steel, The Hangover Part III and The Great Gatsby.

"We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with Warner Bros. This new deal will give Sky customers exclusive access to the full range of Warner Bros.' films, including recent hits like The Dark Knight Rises and classic titles such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, reflecting our focus on offering the biggest choice of the best films," said Ian Lewis, director of Sky Movies.

"By making the films available on demand and on our multiplatform service Sky Go, Sky is strengthening the customer experience, offering customers greater value and flexibility. The deal also sees us extend our reach by offering the films on Now TV and Sky Store, giving more people new ways to enjoy our fantastic content." µ