MGM Networks,the TV networks arm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), is to launch two channelsinto Africa after striking an agreement with Multichoice Africa. The 24-hour aday, seven-days-a-week channels, which are dubbed MGM Movie Channel, will becarried on Multichoice Africa's DStv platform. One will be supplied inEnglish to subscribers throughout sub-Saharan Africa, while the other will bethe company's Portugese language channel from MGM Networks Latin Americafor Portugese speakers in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau.

'Africarepresents a real milestone in our network expansion initiatives, and we areparticularly fortunate to be partnered with one of the world's leaders inPay TV, Multichoice,' said MGM Networks executive vice president BruceTuchman in a statement. 'With this deal, MGM now has equity interests inchannels that reach every inhabited continent across the globe, from theAmericas to Australia, from Asia to Europe and now Africa.'

The channels areexpected to launch this month subject to the approvals of relevant regulatoryauthorities. Both will present films from MGM's library including AnnieHall, Last Tango In Paris, The Manchurian Candidate, Raging Bull, Manhattan,Marty, West Side Story, Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally, Network and The Pink Panther.