Starz, Comcast make new affil deal
By Georg Szalai
NEW YORK -- Premium channel operator Starz Entertainment and cable giant Comcast Corp. have signed a new multi-year affiliation deal.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
The companies said the agreement covers the distribution of Starz Entertainment's Starz, Encore and MoviePlex premium channels and the related HD, on demand, HD on demand and online advanced services.
The new deal replaces separate Starz and Encore agreements with Comcast.
As part of the deal, the companies also agreed on the distribution of Starz Entertainment's authenticated online broadband offerings, such as Starz Online and Encore Online.
Starz is focusing on striking more such deals with its distributors.
Comcast's Starz and Encore subscribers will receive Starz Online and Encore Online, which each offer 300 movies and episodes of original programming.
Starz is also planning to launch MoviePlex Online for older films this summer.
"Extending the broader relationship between the companies provides a great pipeline of commercial-free movies and original programming for years to come," said Matt Bond, executive vp of content acquisition for Comcast.
"The agreement with Comcast extends and expands our relationship in a way that benefits consumers and provides Comcast with even more flexibility in presenting our programming," said Bill Myers, Starz Entertainment's president and COO.
Previously, Comcast had separate deals with Starz and Encore that ran through Dec. 2012 and Feb. 2010, respectively. Comcast had agreed on a short-term extension before the new broad deal.