By : Erik Gruenwedel | Posted: 26 Oct 2009
egruenwedel@questex.com

On-demand TV content service Zillion TV Oct. 26 said it signed a distribution deal with Lionsgate.

Santa Monica, Calif.-based Lionsgate will offer current feature film releases and television shows, including “Weeds” and “Mad Men,” in addition to content from its library of 12,000 motion picture and TV titles.

“We are always exploring new ways to monetize our content in a digital world,” said Curt Marvis, president of digital media at Lionsgate. “We believe that Zillion TV has distinguished itself with a strong business model and an impressive content offering, and we look forward to our partnership to deliver content to our audiences with the customization and immediacy of the online world.”

Lionsgate generated home entertainment revenue, which includes electronic distribution, of $151 million in the most recent quarter. The mini-major’s co-partnered high-definition pay-TV and online streaming channel, Epix TV, launches Oct. 31.

After a one-time $99 fee, Zillion TV users get a remote and a thin ‘Z’ bar that fits on top of an HDTV, and includes Ethernet, USB and HDMI ports, with built-in wireless.

Once connected, users access instant, on-demand streaming video without the need for a hard drive. Users have buy-to-own, rent, or free ad-supported viewing options, and with the ads, users get to choose which type of advertisements they are interested in.

More than 60 content providers have signed on with Zillion TV, including Disney, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Sony and Warner Bros.

The subscription-free service, which is slated to launch nationwide this year, last month cut 30% of its staff.

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