Starz Play, the on-demand video streaming service available in 19 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, has signed a new deal with NBCUniversal International Distribution to offer its subscribers popular TV box-sets, television series currently available in the US and top-rated films.

The new additions will include current critically acclaimed TV shows like Mr Robot, starring Emmy winner Rami Malek and Golden Globe winner Christian Slater, along with Bates Motel, the psychological drama-thriller starring Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga that is a contemporary prequel to the film Psycho, said a statement from the company.

Other box-sets to be added include 12 Monkeys, a sci-fi thriller drama series based on Terry Gilliam's 1995 film and Heroes, a fantasy sci-fi series about ordinary people who discover they possess remarkable super powers, it said.

In addition, later this year, Starz Play subscribers will be able to watch both seasons of Shades of Blue, starring global superstar Jennifer Lopez and Emmy winner Ray Liotta.

Maaz Sheikh, CEO at Starz Play, said: “NBCUniversal is known to cater to a broad audience and we are delighted to announce our deal with such a reputable studio.”

“From the Fast and the Furious films – Universal Pictures’ biggest franchise of all time - to the Jurassic Park movies, Universal Pictures delivers some of the most popular titles in the world of cinematography,” he said.

“This new arrangement is about adding more to our rich library of blockbuster Hollywood movies, current US TV series, documentaries and children’s entertainment. It also presents a remarkable opportunity that allows us to continue to meet our customers’ requests," he added.

Belinda Menendez, president, NBCUniversal International Distribution and Networks, said: “From compelling and critically acclaimed TV series to blockbuster films, our diverse portfolio offers something for everyone, and we are delighted to partner with Starz Play to bring our high-quality content to their viewers in the region.”   

The deal with NBCUniversal will also bring a number of other popular feature films to the service. These include titles such as Luc Besson’s Lucy, the sci-fi action film starring Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman; The Bourne Legacy, the fourth installment of the blockbuster Bourne franchise; The Purge, a dystopian horror film starring Ethan Hawke; and Despicable Me - a box office hit that brings everyone’s favorite yellow henchmen back to the screen.

Starz Play has increased its service to more than 6,000 hours of popular TV series and award-winning movies, which includes 4K content– to subscribers in 19 countries. The platform features English, Arabic and French audio options and user interfaces, plus one-click Arabic subtitling, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service