This article was published on April 17, 2013

BSkyB inks exclusive indie movie deal in the UK for The Master, Silver Linings Playbook and more


BSkyB inks exclusive indie movie deal in the UK for The Master, Silver Linings Playbook and more

UK satellite broadcaster BSkyB (Sky) has announced a multi-year deal with Entertainment Film Distributors, a British distributor of independent films in the UK and Ireland that works on behalf of a myriad of production companies.

The deal will see Sky Movies get exclusive access to newer films such as BAFTA and OSCAR-nominated Silver Linings Playbook and The Master, as well as classic titles such as Brokeback Mountain, The Departed, Gangs of New York, American Psycho and Ali.

The titles will be available through on-demand (including Sky Go and Now TV) and its channels, and also on a rental basis via Sky Store and Sky Movies Box Office.

The deal means that Sky will be the first subscription service in the UK and Ireland to broadcast the two aforementioned films, as well as other new titles from Entertainment Film Distributors, only six months after their cinema run ends. The films will be available on Sky Movies for more than a year, and won’t be opened to any other TV channel or online streaming service.

The <3 of EU tech

The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!

“We’re delighted to be extending our relationship with Entertainment Film Distributors, who have been great partners for many years,” says Ian Lewis, Director of Sky Movies.

Today’s announcement follows January’s news that Sky had penned a deal with Sony Pictures Television, gaining exclusive access to the studio’s blockbuster movies six months after they hit cinemas, and included hits such as Django Unchained, This is the End and After Earth.

But Sky is keen to get both blockbusters and lower-budget indies on board, and today’s deal will go some way towards separating it from the competition, which includes Netflix and LoveFilm which can only dream of gaining exclusive access to such movies so soon after launch.

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.