Summit Entertainment has signed an exclusive output deal with HBO that will see the US pay TV network screening Summit titles released theatrically between January 2013 and the end of 2017.
Summit films expected to appear on HBO include the re-imagining of Highlander, award-winning novel adaptation Ender’s Game and 3D production Pompeii.
The agreement sees Summit shifting allegiances in the evolving but valuable US pay TV market and becoming the only mini-major with an exclusive output arrangement with HBO. It also and deals a blow to Showtime, where Summit previously had its domestic pay deal, though it appears Showtime will still screen the last two films in Summit’s massively successful Twilight Saga franchise, Breaking Dawn Part 1 (set for theatrical release in November) and Part 2 (due to arrive in cinemas in November 2012).
HBO’s other output deals are with Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Universal and DreamWorks Animation. Among other mini-majors, The Weinstein Company has a deal with Showtime, Lionsgate feeds its films to new pay player Epix and Relativity recently signed a ground-breaking deal with video rental and streaming operation Netflix.
In a statement, Summit co-chairman and CEO Rob Friedman said: “We are proud to be in business with HBO and have our films programmed alongside many of the industry’s leading studios. HBO continues to consistently produce quality original programming mixed with exciting sports and feature film programming and we look forward to a very productive relationship.”
HBO president, film programming Bruce Grivetti said: “We are extremely happy to have Summit Entertainment as our newest partner. HBO is committed to delivering the best filmed entertainment to our subscribers and we believe Summit, an innovative and exciting producer, will play a vital role in the fulfillment of this promise.”
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