Sky acquires Bond movies


UK movie channel Sky Movies HD has acquired the rights to air the entire James Bond film catalogue after striking a deal with MGM.

This move means that Sky has usurped commercial broadcast rival ITV, which previously held the rights to show old Bond movies. The deal will see 22 titles from EON Productions including Dr No and Quantum of Solace and two non EON-produced titles Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again air on the high definition movie channel from October 2012. The upcoming Bond film Skyfall, which is released later this year, will also be part of the deal and will air on Sky Movies Box Office in the spring of 2013.

“We are simply delighted to have secured the Bond films for our customers. Everything about these films is iconic – whether it’s the cars, the gadgets or the catchphrases. What’s more, they’ve become hugely significant culturally; demonstrating the best of British film. It’s an honour for us to have all of them for our customers, and we will ensure that we do them justice across Sky Movies, giving our customers the best possible experience in watching them. It’s an exciting time for Sky Movies and this is just one of many exciting plans we have coming up in the months ahead,” said Ian Lewis, director of Sky Movies.