USA NETWORK LICENSES UNIVERSAL PICTURES' BLOCKBUSTER FILMS IN BIGGEST INDUSTRY MOVIE DEAL OF THE YEAR
Headlined by Box Office Hits "Bridesmaids," "Fast Five," "Little Fockers"
and "The Adjustment Bureau"
NEW YORK - August 2, 2011 - In a landmark deal in its scope and quality of high profile titles, USA Network has acquired the network television rights to over 30 films from Universal Pictures, it was announced today by Jane Blaney, executive vice president, programming, acquisitions & scheduling, USA and Frances Manfredi, executive vice president/general sales manager, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.
The extensive Universal movie package includes a slate of some of the most commercially viable properties, encompassing over 30 movie titles. In addition to select titles premiering on USA, films will also have the opportunity to run across other NBCUniversal platforms, including NBC, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4, Chiller, Sleuth and UniHD.
"This groundbreaking acquisition package represents our ongoing dynamic partnership with Universal to deliver blockbuster movies and A-list talent to our audience, said Blaney. "These films provide a strategic platform for our originals, while complementing our brand of character-based entertainment."
"We are very pleased to announce another huge win-win deal with USA," said Manfredi. "We applaud USA's appreciation of the value of these great films to their viewers."
As part of the deal, USA will receive more than 30 of the studios' films, some of which are slated to make their exclusive network television premiere in the 2013 calendar year, including such titles as Judd Apatow's surprise hit of the year, "Bridesmaids," with Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph; the big action feature "Fast Five" with Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson; the comedy favorite "Little Fockers" with Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Teri Polo and Owen Wilson; and the critically-acclaimed feature "The Adjustment Bureau" with Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and John Slattery.
USA continues to honor its commitment to providing the best entertainment titles available with a proven track-record of acquiring high profile programming. Recent deals include the exclusive off-network rights to the incredibly popular drama "NCIS: Los Angeles" premiering on the network this fall and critically-acclaimed sitcom and ratings hit "Modern Family," which will bow in 2013 to complement the network's recently announced foray into half-hour original comedy.
USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes. A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and is home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution division is responsible for the distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television within the U.S. and Canada. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.
|