• by David Goetzl , July 15, 2008

With Viacom in a joint venture to start its own pay-TV network, which looks to take the availability of Paramount films from Showtime, the network has struck a deal with the Weinstein Co. The seven-year arrangement gives Showtime access to films produced by the company, now run by the founders of Miramax.

The deal is effective in 2009, when Weinstein releases a film starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Nicole Kidman, and another directed by Quentin Tarantino. The Weinstein Co. also will provide Showtime with content from its Dimension Films unit.

Showtime has been emphasizing its original programming, but evidently felt it still needed a supply of exclusive film content. The cable network apparently had balked at the price Viacom sought to continue providing it with Paramount films, and in that vein, Showtime head Matthew Blank said the Weinstein deal comes "at a price ... that is consistent with today's marketplace."

"We will continue to pursue such value-enhancing deals in the future," Blank said.

Viacom has joined with MGM and Lionsgate to launch a pay-TV channel next year that it hopes will compete with HBO, Showtime and the Starz/Encore fleet.

"This long-term strategic partnership is a tremendous initiative for our company and provides our films with a critically important pay-TV home for the next seven years," said Harvey Weinstein.