Netflix and MGM Announce Exclusive Licensing Agreement for UK, Ireland Customers in 2012

Deadline is reporting that Netflix and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. have announced a new multi-year licensing agreement, allowing Netflix to be the exclusive streaming provider to the UK and Ireland for the majority of MGM feature films. 

Netflix members in the UK and Ireland will have the ability to have instant access in the pay TV window on their televisions, tablets, game consoles, computers and mobile phones, for a low monthly price. The service is set to begin in early 2012.

Among the films which will be made available to customers on Netflix within the next year will be "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," the upcoming prequels to Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "Zookeeper" starring Kevin James, "Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters," with Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, and "21 Jump Street," featuring Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Ice Cube.

In addition, customers will have access to a large selection of past MGM classics such as "Capote," "Fargo," "The Usual Suspects," "West Side Story" and "The Amityville Horror."

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflik commented, "We are delighted to be entering the UK and Ireland with a legendary studio like MGM at our side. And we are excited to be extending our relationship with MGM from the U.S. to these important markets and proud to be the exclusive home for their films in the traditional Pay TV window."

Roma Khanna, MGM's President Television Group and Digital agreed, "Developing this relationship further will help us bring our films, both old and new, into the homes of our loyal audiences with the great ease Netflix offers customers."