MGM Launching HD Movie Channel On DirecTV

MGM has used its 4,100-title movie library to create a 24/7 high-definition cable network called MGM HD, which has signed a carriage deal with DirecTV. The network, which will debut on DirecTV before year’s end, starts with titles such as The Black Stallion, West Side Story, Leaving Las Vegas, RoboCop and Hotel Rwanda. MGM HD will be advertiser-supported. Although MGM HD is the studio’s first foray into the cable-network business in the U.S., MGM movie channels reach viewers in more than 100 countries across the globe. Initially, MGM HD will consist of nothing but movies. But in the works are “exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of red-carpet events, sneak peeks at new films in production, seasonal promotions and world premieres of newly re-mastered hits from the MGM library,” according to the studio.