Africa's leading pay-TV broadcaster, M-Net, has renewed its long-term, exclusive output deal with Columbia TriStar International Television (CTIT) giving it access to titles such as The Mask of Zorro, Stepmom and Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels.

M-Net has distribution in 42 countries on the African continent, including South Africa. The channel also has exclusive output deals with Disney, 20th Century Fox, MGM, MCA/Universal, Paramount, Warner Bros and Dreamworks SKG.

M-Net managing director Lazarus Zim said the deal "confirms M-Net's ranking as the pre-eminent African pay-TV operator and is market-related proof of a business based on a solid foundation with great prospects for the future.

John McMahon, CTIT executive vice president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East commented: "M-Net has an excellent track record in aggressively marketing and promoting our product. This deal reaffirms and expands our long-term commitment with an outstanding slate of first-run, hit feature film product."