In a series of recent deals, HDNet has secured the rights to carry TV programs and movies produced by Paramount and Warner Brothers.
In the Paramount deal HDNet gets HD satellite and cable telecast rights for a several Paramount TV series shot in HD. HDNet will begin broadcasting several of the shows in 2003, including “That’s Life,” “Big Apple” and “Some of My Best Friends.” The deal also includes the conversion of “Hogan’s Heroes” for HDTV broadcast.
The deal with Warner marks HDNet’s first foray into broadcasting feature film packages. The titles range the from “A Clockwork Orange” and “Full Metal Jacket” to “A Chorus Line” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe” and represent choices from Warner Bros. 75-year library.
“Feature films have always served as a driver in emerging media -- be it pay television, cable networks, pay-per-view or VOD,” says Mark Cuban, co-founder and president of HDNet. “We will continue to expand HDNet’s audience and availability.”
HDNet is distributed over DirecTV to customers with an HDTV set, receiver and elliptical dish.
