Comcast has partnered with Maya Entertainment to offer "Maya
at the Movies," a dedicated video-on-demand channel offering an array of movie
titles from the Los Angeles-based theatrical-film producer and distributor.
Deal terms were not disclosed, but Maya co-chairman and CEO
Moctesuma Esparza told Hispanic TV Update
it will expand households to its already strong VOD presence. Maya already
reaches 43 million VOD homes via deals with TVN and In Demand.
"Maya at the Movies" kicked off on Comcast Dec. 3 with a
quartet of day-and-date VOD releases, including the premiere of Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie
Wright, starring Aidan Quinn, Andy Garcia and Gina Gershon. Overall, Maya
Entertainment has established a library of more than 100 titles, available at
retail and via rental, VOD and theatres.
The deal aligns Maya with four other VOD distributors with a
branded presence. It is also consistent with the company's strategy to
diversify the distribution platforms for the films it produces or acquires.
"Maya is a content company distributing movies across all
platforms," Esparza, who also founded Maya's own chain of theatres, Maya Cinemas,
with 30 screens in California, said. "We want our movies to be present in every
single platform."
Esparza also said Maya is in advanced conversations with
"another major MSO" for a similar VOD deal. He declined to disclose which
operator, though, as negotiations are still underway.
