AMERICAN BROADCASTING COMPANY has signed a deal worth $30 million (£19.8m) to show 13 classic 007 films. A television unit of METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER has licensed the films to the network until September 2002, it was announced Wednesday (10JA01).

The films, including DR NO, GOLDFINGER and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, have not been seen on ABC for 10 years. They had been a regular feature on the network's ABC SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIE. "ABC felt there was a legacy they shared with the Bonds," said JIM GRIFFITHS, president of MGM WORLDWIDE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION. "They were our partner of choice because they really brought creativity and passion to the negotiations as well."

Griffiths said the higher profile of having the films on ABC will help build an audience for the franchise. The Bond films had been licensed to TURNER BROADCASTING, which regularly featured them in marathons each time a new movie hit the big screen. The ABC deal excludes THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL, starring TIMOTHY DALTON, and A VIEW TO A KILL, starring ROGER MOORE. Those remain licensed to Turner. The deal is part of a new corporate strategy at MGM to regain control of its valuable film library.

The new licensing agreement will let MGM cut an even richer deal when the next Bond film is released in November 2002. (PDD/WNWA)

Source: WENN