Universal Pictures and HBO Agree to Long-Term Extension of Film Output Deal

Universal Pictures has renewed its domestic output deal with HBO agreeing to a long-term extension with the subscription pay service, it was announced today by Rick Finkelstein, Vice Chairman, Universal Pictures and Harold Akselrad, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, HBO.

The renewal will keep Universal Pictures’ top box office films heading to HBO in the domestic pay TV network window well into the next decade, extending the relationship between Universal Pictures and HBO that dates back to 2003. The negotiations were led by Frances Manfredi, Senior Vice President and General Sales Manager, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Doris Casap, Senior Vice President, Film Programming, HBO.

Said Finkelstein, “This agreement is a very important piece of the financial structure of our films and we are extremely happy to announce its completion. We have an excellent relationship with HBO, the premiere name in cable television, and we are thrilled to be building on that relationship by extending our output deal with them well into the future.”

The agreement includes movies from the slate of Universal Pictures as well as its specialty labels, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures.

“This deal with Universal Pictures reflects HBO’s commitment to offer the best and most theatrical films out of Hollywood. As we continue to explore opportunities for our company in this evolving digital landscape, this long term agreement helps solidify HBO’s position as the leader in the subscription business,” said Akselrad. “We’ve benefited from a great relationship with Universal and look forward to delivering their movies to our subscribers well into the next decade.”