• Reuters, Tuesday, August 10, 2010 11:42 PM

Hollywood studios are getting closer to a deal to make new movies available to cable and satellite TV operators like Time Warner Cable as early as 30 to 60 days after their theatrical debuts, for a premium price. Under terms discussed so far, cable or satellite customers choosing to watch first-run movies at home would have to pay around $24.99 for a movie 60 days after its theatrical release, and up to $50 for a 30-day window, says Reuters .

Those terms are not yet finalized but studios have held talks in recent months with pay-TV operators including DirecTV and Time Warner Cable, according to sources with knowledge of the talks. Talks about a so-called "premium video on demand" window have been on and off for years but have really heated up in past months as studios seek to maximize profits by reworking movie release windows, adapting to changing consumer behavior.

In March, Disney ABC Domestic Television group Thursday renewed its long-term distribution deal with Starz Entertainment to carry Walt Disney Studios films released theatrically through 2015, reported the LA Times. The previous agreement was set to expire in two years. Separately, Disney also negotiated a new deal for DreamWorks that will see that production company's films go to CBS' Showtime

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