Comcast has notched a deal to offer titles from MGM Television through the Xfinity On Demand digital store, the multiscreen electronic-sell through (EST) service the MSO launched last November.
MGM’s debut on the service will start with the 2014 flick RoboCop on May 20. Under the deal, Comcast gains the ability to sell other titles from the MGM library, including Bull Durham, Carrie (2013), Capote, Fargo, Skyfall, Hoosiers, The Princess Bride and the Rocky franchise.
Comcast has previously notched EST deals with Twentieth Century Fox, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, and corporate cousin NBCUniversal.
Comcast’s digital store allows customers to buy movies and TV shows via the Web and the set-top box. Those titles can also be played back on tablets and smartphones via the MSO’s Xfinity On Demand Purchases app.
Comcast has not announced sales figures for its EST offering, but in a recent interview for a feature on cable’s pursuit of the EST market, Matt Strauss, Comcast Cable’s SVP and GM, video services, said that the “vast majority” of transactions made on the service are coming not from the Web, but from the remote control.
At last check, Comcast’s digital video store offered more than 565 movies and 26 TV series, including season one of Netflix original House of Cards.
“Our Xfinity TV customers now have access to hundreds of movies and shows they can own digitally and enjoy anywhere, on any device,” said Michael Schreiber, SVP of content acquisition at Comcast, in a statement. “Our digital store was a hit with customers from day one, and we expect continued success with the addition of the incredible film and television content from MGM.”
“MGM is thrilled to join the Comcast store and to offer its premiere content, including our newest film releases and television series, to Xfinity customers,” added Damien Marin, SVP, domestic pay TV & worldwide digital media. “Through Xfinity, Comcast provides an incredible platform for subscribers to enjoy MGM’s latest releases including RoboCop, Carrie and Vikings as well as beloved movies such as Rocky and The Silence of the Lambs. We are delighted to be part of this service and look forward to delivering more content to Comcast customers.”
