Skyfall to air next year after broadcaster renews longstanding relationship with MGM Worldwide Television
ITV has struck a deal to bring the James Bond franchise back to free-to-air television, including the latest film, Skyfall, which will air next year.
The broadcaster, which last year lost its almost 40-year hold on free-to-air rights to the Bond films after BSkyB struck a deal to launch a dedicated channel and air the full back-catalogue, has renewed its longstanding relationship with MGM Worldwide Television.
Under the multi-year deal, likely to be for three years, although ITV would not confirm this, the broadcaster will air all 23 films in the spy franchise.
"Skyfall is the highest grossing film of all time at the UK box office and proves not only the enduring popularity of the Bond franchise, but also its iconic status," said Angela Jain, ITV's director of digital channels and acquistions. "I am delighted we have the entire Bond library of films on Britain's biggest commercial channel, a fantastic treat for all viewers."
The broadcaster last struck a two-year deal to keep the exclusive free-to-air TV rights for the Bond films in 2010.
BSkyB swooped last year to snap up all rights to the catalogue and launch a Sky Movies channel dedicated to airing Bond films, tying in with the launch of Skyfall and the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Bond movie, Dr No.
Bond films have been a staple of ITV's movie output since 1975. Sky has held pay-TV rights to new Bond movies since the 1990s, giving the satellite broadcaster the UK TV premiere of each.
"MGM is thrilled to partner again with ITV to bring James Bond home to UK audiences," said Chris Ottinger, president of international television distribution and acquisitions at MGM. "The Bond franchise is a jewel in the MGM library and we are delighted to share the films with the viewers across the United Kingdom."
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ITV has struck a deal to bring the James Bond franchise back to free-to-air television, including the latest film, Skyfall, which will air next year.
The broadcaster, which last year lost its almost 40-year hold on free-to-air rights to the Bond films after BSkyB struck a deal to launch a dedicated channel and air the full back-catalogue, has renewed its longstanding relationship with MGM Worldwide Television.
Under the multi-year deal, likely to be for three years, although ITV would not confirm this, the broadcaster will air all 23 films in the spy franchise.
"Skyfall is the highest grossing film of all time at the UK box office and proves not only the enduring popularity of the Bond franchise, but also its iconic status," said Angela Jain, ITV's director of digital channels and acquistions. "I am delighted we have the entire Bond library of films on Britain's biggest commercial channel, a fantastic treat for all viewers."
The broadcaster last struck a two-year deal to keep the exclusive free-to-air TV rights for the Bond films in 2010.
BSkyB swooped last year to snap up all rights to the catalogue and launch a Sky Movies channel dedicated to airing Bond films, tying in with the launch of Skyfall and the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Bond movie, Dr No.
Bond films have been a staple of ITV's movie output since 1975. Sky has held pay-TV rights to new Bond movies since the 1990s, giving the satellite broadcaster the UK TV premiere of each.
"MGM is thrilled to partner again with ITV to bring James Bond home to UK audiences," said Chris Ottinger, president of international television distribution and acquisitions at MGM. "The Bond franchise is a jewel in the MGM library and we are delighted to share the films with the viewers across the United Kingdom."
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook. Reported by guardian.co.uk 8 hours ago.