MUMBAI: UTV Action, the dubbed Hollywood action movie channel from the UTV Group, has entered into a multi-year movie syndication deal with Warner Brothers International Television Distribution that adds a significant number of movie premieres to both UTV Action and UTV Action Telugu?s library.

The two-year deal involves a minimum of 60 movies for UTV Action and 50 titles for UTV Action Telugu.

"We have signed a long term deal with WB, which has a minimum commitment of 60 movies for UTV Action and 50 movies for UTV Action Telugu. It is a two-year deal with option of renewal. It gives us exclusive Hindi and Telugu language rights of the movies of WB," UTV Action and UTV Action Telugu programming head Manasi Sapre told Indiantelevision.com.

Sapre added that the deal with WB is very important and significant for the channel as WB is known for some of the best action movies.

The list of movies include The Lord of the Rings (triology), The Dark Knight, Shoot Them Up, Most Wanted, Cradle to The Grave, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Blue Sea, Golden Compass, Get Smart Jason X among others.

Sapre claims that the channel is making sizeable investments for the movie acquisitions while keeping in mind the RoI (return on investments). "We have our inventory fully sold. The RoI is very good; that?s why many Hollywood studios are looking at India as a lucrative market for dubbed movies," Sapre said.

The deal includes first airing after being shown on HBO and WB. "UTV Action has broad based the market and we reach out to a wider set of audience. The channel?s active movie library has around 350 titles for airing per year, while total titles are 450-500," Sapre said.

UTV Action was launched in January 2010. Last year, the channel had entered into a three-year movie deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT) for the exclusive Hindi language telecast rights of 70 action films of SPT.

UTV Action Telugu, which was launched in June 2011, has a library of around 250 titles.

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has acquired the original multi-platform series, The Confession, for their international channels and branded non-linear platforms.

Starring multi award-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland and two-time Academy Award nominee John Hurt, The Confession wll premiere on SPT?s AXN-branded platforms in 125 territories and on AXN.com beginning this month.

The announcement was made by SPT executive VP programming and production, networks Marie Jacobson.

AXN Korea will debut the digital series first on 12 September followed by a targeted online roll out across AXN Central Europe?s 10 localised websites on 20 September with subsequent territory roll outs including Spain, Portugal, Latin America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan.

The series consists of 10 original episodes, four scripted back-story episodes and extensive behind-the-scenes footage. In total, almost two hours of original content will be available in varying formats across the channels and on AXN.com in every region.

SPT will handle additional distribution of the show worldwide and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will handle digital and DVD distribution exclusively, outside of North America.

Jacobson said, "The Confession is one of the highest-quality multi-platform series we?ve seen in our many years developing and buying content for our TV and digital platforms. The series will play great alongside AXN?s biggest primetime shows and Kiefer is a killer draw for our global audience."

The Confession is a story of redemption and the exploration of good and evil. The story begins on Christmas Eve when a hitman (Kiefer Sutherland) enters a church to confess his sins to a priest (John Hurt). Through a series of gripping flashbacks, the Confessor?s story is revealed.

The audience is taken on a dramatic journey leading to the moment where one man?s chance at ultimate redemption hangs in the balance. While at first the Confessor appears to be an evil, cold-blooded killing machine and the Priest the ultimate arbiter of good, both characters push the boundaries of right and wrong.