UTV Action in major movie syndication deal with WB

MUMBAI: UTV Action, the dubbed Hollywood action movie channel from the UTV Group, has entered into a multi-year movie syndication deal with Warner Brothers International Television Distribution that adds a significant number of movie premieres to both UTV Action and UTV Action Telugu?s library.

The two-year deal involves a minimum of 60 movies for UTV Action and 50 titles for UTV Action Telugu.

"We have signed a long term deal with WB, which has a minimum commitment of 60 movies for UTV Action and 50 movies for UTV Action Telugu. It is a two-year deal with option of renewal. It gives us exclusive Hindi and Telugu language rights of the movies of WB," UTV Action and UTV Action Telugu programming head Manasi Sapre told Indiantelevision.com.

Sapre added that the deal with WB is very important and significant for the channel as WB is known for some of the best action movies.

The list of movies include The Lord of the Rings (triology), The Dark Knight, Shoot Them Up, Most Wanted, Cradle to The Grave, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Blue Sea, Golden Compass, Get Smart Jason X among others.

Sapre claims that the channel is making sizeable investments for the movie acquisitions while keeping in mind the RoI (return on investments). "We have our inventory fully sold. The RoI is very good; that?s why many Hollywood studios are looking at India as a lucrative market for dubbed movies," Sapre said.

The deal includes first airing after being shown on HBO and WB. "UTV Action has broad based the market and we reach out to a wider set of audience. The channel?s active movie library has around 350 titles for airing per year, while total titles are 450-500," Sapre said.

UTV Action was launched in January 2010. Last year, the channel had entered into a three-year movie deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for the exclusive Hindi language telecast rights of 70 action films of SPT.

UTV Action Telugu, which was launched in June 2011, has a library of around 250 titles.