Sony Pictures Television's Sony Movie Channel and AXN Movies to launch in Canada in partnership with Hollywood Suite

TORONTO, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Sony Pictures Television Networks is pleased to announce that Hollywood Suite will be the exclusive home of Sony Movie Channel and AXN Movies in Canada. The two channels will launch September 4, 2012 as part of Hollywood Suite's four HD movie channels.

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Sony Movie Channel is Sony Pictures Television's movie network created specifically for the Hollywood movie fan, with access to Sony Pictures' vast feature film library, while AXN Movies delivers high octane, edge-of-your-seat movies.

Sony Movie Channel will feature such award-winning films as THE BIG CHILL, TOOTSIE, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, TO SIR WITH LOVE and THE GRADUATE. AXN Movies will feature films such as TAXI DRIVER, GHOSTBUSTERS, RUN LOLA RUN, ON THE WATERFRONT, THE KARATE KID and SNATCH.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Hollywood Suite on our first branded channels to launch in Canada," said Andy Kaplan, President of worldwide networks at Sony Pictures Television. "We continue to see strong demand for HD movies presented without commercial interruption, and these channels will bring our first-rate catalogue of feature films directly to viewers."

"We are proud to partner with Sony Pictures Television Networks to bring these strong brands to Canada," said David Kines, President of Hollywood Suite. "Together with WarnerFilms and MGM channel, our channels bring customers an unsurpassed experience of high-quality Hollywood blockbuster movies in stunning HD."

Building on successful launches in the U.S. and U.K., Sony Movie Channel has access to more than 3,500 Sony Pictures films, which collectively have received 184 Academy Awards including 12 for Best Picture. Among Sony Pictures' string of blockbuster films are two of this summer's most hotly-anticipated franchises, The Amazing Spider-Man and Men in Black III. Last year, the studio's successful slate of films generated more than $3 billion in worldwide box office - a milestone accomplished by Sony Pictures three times in its history.

The first all-movie network from AXN, the global leader in hard-hitting drama, AXN Movies showcases the ultimate action films with the best in epic adventure - uncut, uncensored, and unstoppable.

Already the exclusive home ofWarnerFilms and MGM Channel in Canada, Hollywood Suite broadcasts 4 channels with over 450 commercial-free HD movies per month, uncut and unedited, and offers over 250 different movies per month on demand, on-line and on mobile - all for one low monthly price. Hollywood Suite is available on Bell Satellite, Bell Fibe, TELUS, EastLink, SaskTel, MTS, Westman Communications, Access Communications and NorthwesTel.

Effective September 4, 2012 Hollywood Suite's Hollywood Festival channel will re-launch as Sony Movie Channel and Hollywood Storm will re-launch as AXN Movies.

About Hollywood Suite: Hollywood Suite Inc. owns and operates four HD movie channels playing movies 24/7, commercial-free, uncut and unedited, with a selection of content also available on demand on TV, on-line and on mobile - all for one low monthly price. Hollywood Suite is the home of exclusive channels from major motion picture studios, WarnerFilms and MGM Channel, Hollywood Festival (soon to be Sony Movie Channel) - critically acclaimed independent and major studio romance and relationship films and Hollywood Storm (soon to be AXN Movies) - the ultimate action films involving the best in epic adventure.

Hollywood Suite is available exclusively through Canadian television service providers Bell TV, Bell Fibe, EastLink, TELUS Optik, SaskTel, MTS, Westman Communications and Access.

www.hollywoodsuite.ca Twitter: @truemovielover

About Sony Pictures Television: Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off-network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate that includes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT produces 6,000+ hours of programming annually in over 70 countries. SPT is a leader in local language productions, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats around the world. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 754 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, production company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT (www.sonypicturestelevision.com) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

SOURCE Sony Pictures Television

Mary Powers, MPowers Communications, [phone] or [email protected]; or Katie Wittenburg, Sony Pictures Television, [phone] or [email protected]

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