Press Releases
MGM PARTNERS WITH YOUTUBE TO LAUNCH SEVERAL NEW CHANNELS FEATURING FAN-FAVORITE CLIPS, FULL-LENGTH TV SHOWS AND FILMS
Impact Action Brand & American Gladiators Pave Way for Studio's Multichannel Broadband and Promotional Offerings
LOS ANGELES, CA, and SAN BRUNO, CA November 10, 2008 – MGM Worldwide Digital Media (MGM) and YouTube™, the leading online video community that allows people to discover, watch and share originally created videos, today announced a multiple channel commitment that kicks off with “Impact,” a channel dedicated to promoting MGM’s VOD high octane action programming (www.youtube.com/impact), and “American Gladiators” (www.youtube.com/americangladiators), a channel which showcases highlights and full episodes from the classic show that took America by storm during the 1980s and 1990s. MGM’s “Impact” launched as a VOD offering in partnership with Comcast. It has quickly become one of the cable operator's most popular on-demand offerings, amassing more than 12 million views since launching in August. The "Impact" channel on YouTube is an extension of the popular brand dedicated exclusively to action programming. The YouTube "Impact" channel will feature a host of exciting clips from classic MGM films such as “Rocky,” “Ronin,” “Legally Blonde,” and “The Magnificent Seven” in addition to a sampling of exciting and popular action television show clips and full length movies like “Lone Wolf McQuade” and “Bulletproof Monk” as well."We're looking to mine the breadth and depth of the MGM library to build out and promote branded, multiplatform opportunities on demand, online and wherever viewers consume their entertainment," said Jim Packer, co-president, MGM Worldwide Television. “Our agreement with YouTube opens the door to a number of themed broadband channels that will serve the consumers' growing appetite for entertainment media consumption in the digital space and ‘on demand’ space.”
“YouTube is committed to helping our community of fans discover new content and reconnect with their all-time favorite TV shows and movies,” said Jordan Hoffner, director of content partnerships for YouTube. “By partnering with MGM, YouTube is strengthening its position as an entertainment destination where Hollywood studios can reach a global audience and where our audience can watch their favorite full-length films, TV shows, and clips.”
The “Impact” and “American Gladiator” YouTube Channels will be refreshed with new videos every month and will be ad-supported. MGM has plans to launch additional channels on YouTube in the near future.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.