Bell Media and Corus Entertainment Sign Landmark Deal with HBO

– Beginning this fall, HBO Canada enhances its service to deliver every episode of every season of all current HBO scripted series and more –

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TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Bell Media and Corus Entertainment announced today a landmark multi-year, multi-platform deal with HBO that will see HBO Canada exclusively deliver the entire past-season library of every HBO scripted series currently on air for years to come. The deal immediately strengthens HBO Canada's consumer offering, and will roll out in full force this fall. HBO Canada is a multiplex channel of Bell Media's The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment's Movie Central (Western Canada).

For the first time ever, every episode of every season of all current HBO scripted programming will be available on HBO Canada linear and non-linear platforms. All past seasons of some of the most acclaimed programs currently on television, including GAME OF THRONES, GIRLS, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, and TRUE DETECTIVE, will immediately become available to subscribers of The Movie Network and Movie Central at no additional charge. The deal includes the rights to more than 700 episodes from past seasons of current programs, in addition to the 300+ episodes of HBO series that are already available.  

"We are proud of the array of quality programming produced by HBO and it is wonderful to see Bell Media and Corus Entertainment have such appreciation for this catalogue," said Charles Schreger, President, Programming Sales, HBO.  "It is great to have this robust library made available to subscribers of HBO Canada, further enriching the offering."

"With this deal, our premium subscribers will be able to enjoy all of their favourite HBO programs, significantly increasing the value of a subscription to The Movie Network," said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. "Now we can offer even more of what our subscribers want, which is all of HBO's incredible programming across multiple platforms, including the industry-leading TMN GO."

"This deal reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with a great value proposition," said John Cassaday, President and Chief Executive Officer, Corus Entertainment. "Securing prior seasons of HBO's hit programs enables our subscribers to view past episodes of current series that they might not have seen from the very first season and positions HBO Canada as the place to see the most talked about series from start to finish."

Subscribers will now be able to catch-up on past seasons via on-demand and video-streaming services in time for the broadcast premieres of the latest seasons on HBO Canada. In Eastern Canada, episodes will be available on TMN GO and HBO Canada OnDemand. In Western Canada, episodes will be available on the go with Shaw Go Movie Central app, Bell TV app, Telus Optik on the go, and HBO Canada On Demand. Subscribers can look forward to the expanded offering in time for new seasons of HBO series THE COMEBACK, GETTING ON, and THE NEWSROOM premiering later this fall.

The Movie Network and Movie Central currently carry all of HBO's hit programming on HBO Canada, including recent Emmy® winners VEEP, TRUE DETECTIVE, and THE NORMAL HEART. Coming this Fall, HBO Canada will present new seasons of hit series and exciting new shows, including:  BOARDWALK EMPIRE, REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER, BEYONCÉ JAY Z ON THE RUN , THE COMEBACK, GETTING ON, and THE NEWSROOM.

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About HBO Canada
HBO Canada brings Canadians HBO's current slate of signature dramatic and comedic programs, together with new and never-before-seen programming including comedy series, live specials, sporting events, behind-the-scenes content and titles from HBO's extensive library – all in an uncut and commercial-free environment. HBO Canada is offered in high definition on HBO Canada HD and programming is accessible on TMN GO, on demand and online where available by service provider. For more information, please visit www.hbocanada.com. In Eastern Canada, HBO Canada is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. In Western Canada, HBO Canada is offered by Corus Entertainment's Movie Central (Western Canada).

About Movie Central
Movie Central is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc. (CJR.B), a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

SOURCE: HBO CANADA

For The Movie Network (Eastern Canada): Scott Campbell, 416.384.4235 or [email protected]; For Movie Central (Western Canada): Sally Tindal, 416.479.6107 or [email protected]