MGM and BSkyB in HD movie launch

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and BSkyB are today launching a new movie channel exclusively in the HD format. MGM HD is a 50/50 joint venture between movie studio and broadcaster and becomes the first branded channel for the studio in the UK.

Bruce Tuchman, President, MGM Worldwide Networks, said he was pleased to be partnering with Sky in the venture: “As it’s truly is the best way to experience feature films, MGM anticipated the popularity of high definition and has been committed to re-mastering many of the great MGM movies in HD for some time.”

MGM-branded channels are already available as 20 separate branded channels available across 130 countries. Most recently there have been HD launches in the United States, Latin America, Poland and Israel.

The UK channel, the 37th in the HD format to broadcast on the Sky platform, will broadcast 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a week and showcase movies that have been remastered in the HD format. It will go live at 21:00 with A Shot in the Dark starring Peter Sellars as Inspector Clouseau. Other highlights in the first few months on air include Woody Allen’s Annie Hall and Manhattan; The Apartment, Network, The Russia House, Tom Jones, Moonstruck and The Fortune Cookie.

MGM HD will be available to ‘dual movie’ subscribers that also take the HD pack. It will also be available a la carte for £5 per month.