LOS ANGELES : MGM Networks has announced that it has signed a distribution agreement for an MGM-branded movie network in Hong Kong. The MGM Channel will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and feature English- language movies with Mandarin-language subtitles.

In India, MGM has a 50:50 JV with Zee. An official release informs that the MGM Channel will premiere in Hong Kong later this year as part of NOW Broadband TV. This is the pay-TV platform announced by PCCW the Hong Kong-listed flagship of the Pacific Century Group, one of Asia3's leading integrated communications companies.

The PCCW carriage deal follows MGM Networks' strategic alliance with CNBC Asia Pacific, which was announced last month.

MGM Networks' executive VP Bruce Tuchman said:"Our deal with PCCW further confirms the high value distributors around the world place on our celebrated brand and unrivaled content library. Coming so soon after the announcement of our strategic alliance with CNBC Asia Pacific, this agreement demonstrates our determination to bring new subscribers to MGM Networks and more widely expand our presence across Asia and the Pacific region."

The release adds that the PCCW deal is the latest in MGM Networks' global expansion drive, which over the last two years has increased the company's channel interests more than fourfold to about 100 countries on five continents.

The MGM Channel in Hong Kong, as with other branded MGM channels, relies on MGM's library for its content.