Disney Inks Output Deals with Showtime, Starz (updated)

DreamWorks movies go to Showtime; most other Disney titles headed to Starz

Showtime has signed rich output deal with Disney’s DreamWorks banner, with up to 35 of the studio’s films headed to the network between now and 2015.

Meanwhile, Disney has also renewed its existing output deal with Starz. That agreement, which had been set to expire in 2012, will now run through 2015.

As for Showtime, DreamWorks had previously been set up at HBO. The deal is big for Showtime: It’s one of the biggest output agreements for the network since it split up with former suppliers Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM.

Showtime did a deal with Summit, the studio behind the "Twilight" franchise, after Paramount and Co. decamped. It also has a long-term deal in place with the Weinstein Co.

“We are very pleased to be in business with The Walt Disney Company in bringing us theatrical films from DreamWorks,” said Showtime CEO Matt Blank. “We expect a great supply of high-profile commercially successful films from Steven Spielberg, Stacey Snider and their wonderful team. Combined with our current supply of theatrical titles, our subscribers will enjoy a diverse slate of films for years to come.”

Meanwhile, the Starz-Disney agreement will give Starz exclusive pay rights to  Walt Disney Studios live-action and animated feature films — including those from Marvel Entertainment, Disney-Pixar and Touchstone — on its Starz, Encore and MoviePlex linear channels, and its related on-demand and IP-based services.

The deal doesn’t include DreamWorks Studios (obviously). Miramax Films, which soon may not even be a part of Disney, also isn’t included (it’s already at Showtime).

Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television, engineered both the Showtime and Starz deals for Disney.

UPDATED 2:40 PM

CORRECTED 9:55 AM

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