Showtime Extends DreamWorks Pay TV Deal

Showtime Networks has extended its pay TV output agreement with DreamWorks Studios movies released through The Walt Disney Company. Showtime senior vice president of content acquisitions Gary Garfinkel, senior vice president of content acquisitions and business & legal affairs Kent Sevener, and Disney-ABC domestic television president Janice Marinelli made the announcement Thursday, noting it would include films released theatrically through 2018.

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This replaces the current agreement made in 2009 (when Showtime replaced Starz), which had DreamWorks movies on Showtime through 2015. DreamWorks’ critically acclaimed Oscar nominee Lincoln will make its debut on Showtime later this year. Showtime is a part of CBS Inc.

This agreement is separate from Disney’s stunning pay TV deal announced in December 2012 with Netflix, covering traditional pay rights and a host of digital distribution rights, which also included a multi-year deal for library titles such as Dumbo and Alice In Wonderland.

Movies under this agreement will also be available through Showtime Anytime, part of the TV Anywhere initiative, which means they can be streamed by authenticated users on a host of computer and mobile devices. Authenticated means that they have to already have an account with a pay distributor.

This is an important deal for Showtime, which doesn’t have an output agreement with any of the big five studios -- Warner, Disney, Sony, Paramount and Fox -- as it has become increasingly dependent in recent years on its growing roster of original productions. Showtime has previously said its strategy is to program more originals. 

Showtime does have pay TV output agreements with the Weinstein Company, Summit (now part of Lionsgate), IFC and sister company CBS Films.

“We are delighted to extend our output deal with The Walt Disney Studios as we continue to offer DreamWorks' critically-acclaimed theatrical films to our subscribers,” said Garfinkel and Sevener. “Coupled with our award-winning series, specials, documentaries and sports offerings, as well as our current supply of theatrical titles, these wonderful films add incredible value to our robust programming slate."

"Showtime has been a tremendous partner, and we are thrilled to be expanding our highly-valued relationship with them for DreamWorks Studios' first-rate slate of films," added Marinelli. "Showtime has successfully embraced the DreamWorks brand and this long-term extension guarantees that these top quality, diverse and entertaining films will continue to complement Showtime's impressive programming lineup for years to come."