MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) and Starz have inked a new, multi-year agreement that extends their exclusive first-run output premium pay TV deal.

As a result, Starz will have the exclusive pay television rights to Sony Pictures? theatrical releases through 2021. The previous agreement between the two companies had covered motion pictures released theatrically through 2016.

Commencing with 2005 theatrical releases, Starz has been the exclusive first-run pay television home for the exhibition of Sony Pictures? films including titles from Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, TriStar, and Screen Gems.

Starz had recently renewed its exclusive long-term licensing agreement with Disney-ABC Domestic Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company, for theatrical releases from The Walt Disney Studios through 2015.

The new SPE-Starz agreement provides movie content for all Starz platforms including its linear STARZ and ENCORE channels in standard definition and HD, subscription VOD services in standard definition, HD On Demand and 3D On Demand, and online streaming services, including the recently launched Starz Play and Encore Play.

Big, hit Sony titles coming in 2013 exclusively on pay television to the STARZ channels and services include: The Amazing Spider-Man, 21 Jump Street, Zero Dark Thirty, The Vow, Men In Black 3, and Resident Evil: Retribution.

"Starz and Encore subscribers have enjoyed the consistently stellar theatrical product from Sony, and we are thrilled to extend our exclusive partnership into the next decade," said Starz CEO Chris Albrecht.

"Starz will continue to offer the richest premium TV viewing experience for our subscribers and distributors for years to come thanks to Starz? growing original programming slate, along with the robust lineup of new blockbuster Sony releases and our deep movie library."

"Starz has been a terrific partner and we are excited to be extending our relationship with them through the 2021 slate," said SPT President, U.S. John Weiser.