Britain's Channel 5 Signs Movie Deal With Fox

LONDON (Reuter) - Britain's Channel 5, due to launch next March, Wednesday signed a movie deal with 20th Century Fox International that will allow it to show television premieres of hit films including "Independence Day."

The deal, which includes 68 first-run films, was negotiated jointly with the BBC but only nine of the 68 premieres will be shared.

The new station plans to show the 37 films it has taken exclusively in peak weekday slots.

Channel 5 is owned by a consortium comprising Pearson Plc, United News, Luxembourg broadcast group CLT and Warburg Pincus of the United States. Fox is part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

Channel 5's Director of Programs Dawn Airey said, "This is a key deal for 5. We are serious about film and we will be showing top movies every night of the week."

Other titles exclusive to Channel 5 include "Braveheart," "Courage Under Fire," "Speed" and "Mrs. Doubtfire."

Channel 5 declined to comment on terms of the deal.

Reuters/Variety