The MGM channel on StarSat and DStv now changing and rebranding to AMC in December.

The change and rebranding of the MGM (DStv 140 / StarSat 115) channel to AMC on MultiChoice's DStv and on On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes South Africa's StarSat satellite pay-TV platforms has been pushed one month on from this month to December.

AMC Networks International announced the global name-change for its MGM channel in August and said that MGM will rebrand globally in all the different territories before the end of the year.

The MGM to AMC change originally planned for November according to sources who spoke about it in August, has now been pushed a month on.

Once MGM changes to AMC for South African TV viewers, the rebranded and repositioned TV channel will add more movies from Sony and the Paramount film libraries beyond just the MGM movie vault.

AMC Networks International also said it will be adding TV shows to the channel when MGM changes to AMC in the form of dramas like Halt and Catch Fire and the just cancelled The Divide. Up until now MGM has been a movies only channel.

AMC Networks International Zone runs channels on DStv and StarSat like CBS Reality, CBS Drama, CBS Action, JimJam, Extreme Sports Channel and MGM which will now change to AMC.

Asked whether MGM will be changing to AMC on 1 December on StarSat and DStv and what TV series there will be on the rebranded channel and its starting dates, a spokesperson of AMC Networks International Zone tells TV with Thinus that the channel distributor is not quite ready to make the announcement.

MGM channel to change to the AMC channel in November on both DStv and StarSat; will add drama series and wider range of movies.

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MGM (DStv 140 / StarSat 142) on MultiChoice's DStv and on On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat platforms will be changing to AMC in November this year TV with Thinus can reveal, although a specific date in November is not yet known.

AMC Networks International announced the global name-change for its MGM channel last week and said that MGM will rebrand globally in all the different territories before the end of the year.

Once MGM changes to AMC in November for South African viewers, the rebranded and repositioned TV channel will add more movies from Sony and the Paramount film libraries beyond just the MGM movie vault.

AMC Networks International will also add TV shows produced by AMC Studios like the dramas Halt and Catch Fire and The Divide to MGM which until now has been a movies only channel.

"We intend to reproduce our United States strategy, expanding AMC's brand throughout the world and creating a new way of distribution our original content," Ed Carroll, operations director at AMC Networks, said last week in a statement..

"The international interest in our productions, plus movies from the main production houses to complete our schedule, means a great opportunity to make AMC an international entertainment channel," saisd Bruce Tuchman, AMC global's president, in last week's statement.

AMC Networks International runs channels on DStv and StarSat like CBS Reality, CBS Drama, CBS Action, JimJam, Extreme Sports Channel and MGM - which will now become AMC in November.

BREAKING. MGM channel on MultiChoice's DStv and ODM's StarSat renamed AMC, will add TV shows and bigger movie range before end of 2014.

MGM (DStv 140 / StarSat 142) on MultiChoice's DStv and on On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat platforms is changing its name and will be changing from MGM to AMC soon, and will in addition to that start to add movies from the Paramount and Sony film libraries and will also start to show TV dramas.

MGM on DStv and on StarSat will change to AMC within months and before the end of this year as AMC Networks International starts to replace MGM where it is internationally broadcast with locally versioned channel feeds - such as the MGM seen in Southern Africa on DStv and StarSat.

MGM as AMC will also start to show TV series, like the new series Halt and Catch Fire and The Divide, produced by AMC Studios, which will be shown on AMC internationally, in an exclusive first TV window.

The quick rebranding of MGM follows the renaming of Chellomedia which runs MGM, to AMC Networks International in June after AMC

Besides films from the MGM vault, the MGM or now AMC channel will soon start to also broaden its range of titles and add films from the Paramount and Sony libraries.

"We intend to reproduce our United States strategy, expanding AMC's brand throughout the world and creating a new way of distribution our original content," says Ed Carroll, operations director at AMC Networks.

Some of AMC's productions, such as Breaking Bad have been among the most pirated content ever and their local broadcasting on other TV channels in the world have drawn million of viewers. Following such interest, AMC Networks International wants to attaining rapid worldwide success with the MGM to AMC rebrand.

"The international interest in our productions, plus movies from the main production houses to complete our schedule, means a great opportunity to make AMC an international entertainment channel," says Bruce Tuchman, AMC Global's president.

AMC Networks International runs channels on DStv and StarSat like CBS Reality, CBS Drama, CBS Action, JimJam, Extreme Sports Channel and MGM - or now AMC.

Bruce Tuchman becomes president of MGM movie channel available on both DStv and StarSat.

Bruce Tuchman is the new president of the MGM (DStv 140 / StarSat 142) TV channel which is seen in South Africa on both MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's StarSat satellite pay-TV platforms.

Bruce Tuchman is already the president of the AMC and the Sundance Channel Global movie channels, and is now adding president of the MGM channel to the list.

MGM is available in 130 territories worldwide.

MGM renews the contracts of its top MGM Television executives through 2016.

MGM which movie TV channel is seen in South Africa, as well as several of the studio's shows such as Teen Wolf and Vikings, has renewed the contracts of its top MGM Television TV executives through 2016.

The MGM movie channel (StarSat 140 / DStv 140) is seen in South Africa on both MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat.

MGM has renewed the contracts of Roma Khanna as president of the TV group and digital, Chris Ottinger who is the president of International Television distribution and acquisitions, and Steve Stark who is president of television production and development until 2016.

Roma Khanna continues to report directly to MGM chairperson and CEO Gary Barber, with Chris Ottinger and Steve Stark reporting to Roma Khanna.

"MGM Television, under Roma Khanna's direction, is stronger than ever, and is an important producer and distributor of content for television and digital platforms worldwide," says Gary Barber in a statement.

MGM Television's portfolio includes shows such as Vikings which will start on 13 March on M-Net Series Showcase after History (DStv 186) failed to bring it to South African viewers as it did in the United States, and Teen Wolf which has been seen on MTV as well as M-Net Series Showcase.

Rhoma Khanna joined MGM in 2011 from NBCUniversal.

BREAKING. MultiChoice makes a U-turn on MGM movie channel; will unblock and add the channel for all DStv Premium subscribers.

MultiChoice is making a U-turn and will be unblocking and adding the MGM (DStv 140) channel for all its DStv Premium subscribers from Saturday 16 November.

From tomorrow the MGM channel will be available to DStv Premium subscribers as well who were excluded since the addition of the channel, and felt - and were very vocal - in their unhappiness of not receiving all possible TV channels from DStv.

The turnaround decision comes after the South African satellite pay-TV platform on Tuesday added four new TV channels from Chello Zone in the United Kingdom.

MultiChoice however opted, for the first time ever, to deliberately withhold a TV channel from its most expensive DStv Premium package which up until now has always carried all TV channels.

It stirred fear and uncertainty under angry subscribers that DStv Premium will in future no longer contain a complete collection of TV channels and be inclusive of all available content.

MultiChoice said that by not making MGM available to DStv Premium subscribers that it wanted to limit the amount of repeat programming subscribers are exposed to. Subscribers however felt that MultiChoice shouldn't withhold access to specific TV channel and that the precedent setting decision is wrong.

"Not all channels that launch on the DStv platform, such as MGM, are intended for DStv Premium customers. However, we understand our Premium customers would like to have the full range of channels available on their package," says MultiChoice in announcing the addition of MGM to DStv Premium since the channel was added to lower-tiered bouquets earlier in the week.

"We thank our Premium customers for their feedback on this issue. We hope you will enjoy the entertainment on offer on MGM," says MultiChoice.

The pay-TV operator says ""we understand that our customers, especially those without PVRs, are sensitive to the amount of repeats on DStv."

"Excluding MGM from premium was a decision taken to partly address this concern. We want to give our customers on all the different packages the best entertainment at great value for their monthly subscription."

MultiChoice says MGM will be made available from Saturday 16 November.

South Africa's film critics weigh in on MultiChoice's decision to block MGM from its subscribers; DStv subscribers say they feel 'cheated'.

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South Africa's most notable film critics are now weighing in on MultiChoice's decision to block the MGM movie channel (DStv 140) from DStv Premium subscribers - at the same time as DStv subscribers are blasting the pay-TV operator, saying that they feel that they are "being cheated" by the South African satellite TV operator.

It is the first time MultiChoice is not making a TV channel available on its most expensive bouquet, a move described as an "unprecedented decision".

The notable and well-known South African film critic Leon van Nierop tells TV with Thinus he finds MultiChoice's actions to block MGM from DStv Premium subscribers "strange".

MGM, supplied by Chello Zone in the United Kingdom and shown on competitor TopTV since May 2010 was made available on DStv since yesterday afternoon but only to lower DStv packages - not to DStv Premium.

"I think if you're a top subscribers of DStv, that you have to receive ALL the available TV channels and entertainment," says Leon van Nierop.

"The price DStv Premium subscribers pay should also be inclusive of this channel. Especially MGM which has such a treasure chest of musicals and which comes with such a rich history of contributing to the film industry - it's actually unmissable for movie lovers."

The notable and famous South African film critic Barry Ronge told TV with Thinus that what would interest him is if the MGM channel went back and showed some of the "real black-and-white movies" MGM made and films such as MGM's Marie Antoinette and work of Alfred Hitchcock. "If it's that kind of thing, I would be grateful. I will have to see what they're offering."

Barry Ronge said "the big thing for people right now is that they're paying a lot to see movies on DStv. And if they keep seeing them over and over again, it's not good. If a movie channel buys a tranche of movies with for instance Joan Crawford people will look at that."

"The success of The Great Gatsby with the original one which was black-and-white and with so many stellar performances that people then go back to, shows that there's a lot of people who relish the idea of watch classics. However it has to be the pick of the bunch otherwise you get stuck with some of those horrible crime and Westerns they throw in. Some of those MGM motion pictures were quite bad."

MGM movies  in November on the channel - which MultiChoice is not allowing DStv Premium subscribers to watch - include Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Kings of the Sun (1964), Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972), Wuthering Heights (1970), Play Dirty (1969), The Alamo (1960) and many more DStv subscribers haven't seen in years, if ever.

In response to a media enquiry, MultiChoice said its blocking MGM from DStv Premium subscribers to spare them repeats.

"As MGM contains library content that has already been seen by our Premium customers, a decision was made not to include this channel on the Premium package," said MultiChoice.

The blocking of MGM from DStv Premium subscribers ironically comes in the same week in which MultiChoice is making all of its premium TV channels freely available to lower-tiered DStv subscribers as part of a marketing exercise. Yet MGM is not made available to Premium subscribers.

DStv subscribers are livid about the MGM channel block and say they're "being cheated". They say MultiChoice should reduce the problem of repeats on existing channels instead of blocking an available TV channel.

DStv subscriber Gerald Umraw says "I feel like many others that we are being cheated. I do not expect DStv to make decisions on my behalf when they suggest that DStv Premium customers will not like to watch repeats. What if I want to watch repeats of some movies that I enjoy? I suggest you reconsider your decision and make MGM available to Premium customers, after all that's the reason why you charge us R700 per month."

"Will this now become a norm where DStv will block certain channels from DStv Premium subscribers? This was never the case in the past, so I do not see why it has to be now. I am a DStv Premium subscriber like many others and expect the very best DStv has to offer," he says.

Cindy Morgan says "there's so many repeat channels that we can block for ourselves from our decoders, but give us the premium paying subscribers' choice to do so. Don't do it on our behalf. We have a right to the MGM channel."

Neldri Rabe says "as per the excuse that MGM will be showing things that were on DStv before, we are receiving CBS Drama and CBS Action that are showing shows so old they have been on the SABC channels ages ago. How does this work? Sorry but I don't agree with this. If we don't get all the channels as per what it should be - we are after all paying the premium rate - then you are going to start losing customers."

MGM: MultiChoice blocking the lion's roar for DStv Premium subscribers in an 'unprecedented' move, witholding a channel for the first time.

MultiChoice is adding the MGM movie channel to DStv as part of four further channel additions but will be blocking MGM from its DStv Premium subscribers in what is described as an "unprecedented" move.

For the first time ever the South African satellite pay-TV platform will not be making a newly added TV channel available to its most expensive DStv Premium bouquet.

When TV channels are added to lower-tiered DStv packages, MultiChoice has always followed the "sell-through" strategy where non-premium channels are automatically made available to subscribers who pay more to get either all the available content or fall in higher channel brackets.

On 12 November MultiChoice will add the library channels CBS Drama and CBS Action from Chello Zone to DStv, with programming from CBS's television library. MultiChoice is also adding the preschool channel JimJam which has been available on On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV the past three years.

MGM used to be on DStv when the platform started but was removed. MGM returned to South Africa with movies from the famous studio’s movie vault when ODM added it to TopTV in May 2010.

The iconic lion will however not be roaring for DStv Premium subscribers. MultiChoice responded to a media enquiry on Thursday about the blocked MGM movie channel and says DStv Premium is not getting MGM because those subscribers have already seen the movies. It's not clear whether MultiChoice is referring to brand-new, recent, or to longtime customers.

"As MGM contains library content that has already been seen by our Premium customers, a decision was made not to include this channel on the Premium package," says MultiChoice.

MultiChoice confirmed that it's the first time that DStv won't allow a movie channel available on its channel line-up for its high-end customers. "It is correct that this is the first time. Our Premium customers complained about the channels being added that repeat shows or movies they've already seen."

Asked whether future channels might now also go missing on the DStv Premium package, MultiChoice confirms the new practice of possibly blocking channels, saying the pay-TV operator will "evaluate this on a case by case basis. This is about offering our customers the best entertainment available."

The TV critic Tashi Tagg and editor-in-chief of the influential TVSA website which broke the news of the new channel additions on Wednesday told TV with Thinus in a media enquiry made on Thursday, that MultiChoice blocking DStv Premium customers from getting MGM is "nonsensical and unfair" and says "the situation is unprecedented".

"It's like ordering a Supersize meal at McDonalds and not getting condiments when the regular meals do!

"DStv Premium subscribers have always been under the impression that they're paying to get everything. Now suddenly this sets a precedent that DStv Premium subscribers can't trust that they're going to get everything in the future. What other channels won't they get in the future?" asked Tashi Tagg.

She said that the situation "could also imply that the MGM channel’s so bad DStv doesn't want to foist it off on premium subscribers".

"Considering the fact that DStv Premium subscribers get Tellytrack this says a lot about the channel – which ultimately makes it an insult to subscribers of other bouquets. Either way it's a problem for DStv subscribers."

It's not yet clear if DStv subscribers will be taking action over blocked content. In July furious DStv subscribers started a petition after changes to new DStv channels supplied by M-Net suddenly meant that DStv subscribers were no longer getting certain TV series on their specific bouquets.

Following the furore and online petition, the pay-TV operator made content changes.

BREAKING. MultiChoice adds MGM to DStv but is withholding the channel from DStv Premium subscribers.

MultiChoice is adding the MGM movie channel to DStv but the channel is being withheld from DStv Premium subscribers who will not be getting the movie channel on their Premium package from the satellite pay-TV operator.

It's probably the first time that MultiChoice is not making a TV channel added to lower-tiered packages available as so-called "sell-through" to all higher and more expensive bouquets.

MultiChoice didn't specify in the announcement why MGM supplied by Chello Zone in the United Kingdom isn't being given to DStv Premium subscribers who pay the highest subscription fee to receive all available content.

MGM has already been available on On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV or soon to be StarSat platform for the past three years.

MGM will start on DStv's lower-tiered bouquets from 12 November which DStv Premium customers won't have access to.

BREAKING. MGM which was coy when news leaked that their international TV channels are up for sale just got bought by Chellomedia.

Chellomedia in which CBS Studios International now has a 30% stake, just bought MGM's international TV channels such as MGM (TopTV 113) but will continue to operate the channel as it is under the MGM brand.

In April I told you RIGHT HERE that MGM as a TV channel might undergo dramatic change very soon - something which MGM denied.

MGM was quietly looking to get rid of its international MGM channels - something MGM didn't want to talk about. TV channels like the MGM channel seen in South Africa are no longer considered core assets to MGM the studio who rather wants to monetise the movies and content on those channels differently.

Now Chellomedia has acquired Hollywood studio MGM's international TV channels, including the MGM channel seen in South Africa.

Roma Khanna, MGM's president for the television group and digital says "MGM is not exiting the channel business completely. We are instead shifting our focus to the territories of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany, along with our joint venture territories of Brazil and Australia."

Chellomedia will continue to operate the channels and South Africa's MGM channel (which is part of the pan European Middle East and Africa (EMEA) feed) under the MGM brand. In addition, Chellomedia has entered into a long term programming licensing agreement with MGM to allow the MGM channels to continue to be programmed from MGM's programming library.

"The MGM channels are superb assets with a great brand and fit extremely well within our existing channel portfolio, which we have built successfully over the last ten years," says Niall Curran, the president of Chellomedia in a press statement. "We see lots of scope to enhance the movie lover's experience through choice and control and look forward to working with operators around the world to develop this much loved classic movie channel for a TV on demand world".

BREAKING. TopTV next problem channel: the MGM channel could disappear or be radically altered if MGM sells it.

The next problem child channel for the pay TV provider TopTV: the MGM (TopTV 113) movie channel - which could possibly disappear or be radically altered content wise from what viewers are currently seeing.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) is quietly looking to get rid of its international MGM channels including the MGM channel as seen in South Africa on TopTV, The Hollywood Reporter reports. Channels like MGM are no longer considered core assets.

According to the trade publication, MGM which has shown movie titles which it owns on these MGM channels (25 of them across Europe, Asia, South America, an HD one in North America and of course one here in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa) no longer wants to do that with its library of films.

MGM believes it can make more money from licensing its library of films to other distributors and networks - something which is not possible if MGM continues with the MGM channel on which it has to place the bulk of its library content.

MGM rather wants to sell the movie titles from its library separately again "to make more money than they can from putting 100% of them on the channels," The Hollywood Reporter quotes a former MGM executive who's not named.

Unclear is what will happen if the MGM channel(s) are sold. The MGM name won't be able to remain if the channel is converted. It will also be interesting for what time a library license will remain in effect after a deal, since, if sold, the MGM channel will eventually no longer show just MGM movies.

The change in ownership of the MGM channel(s) could also means the disappearance of the channel off of pay TV providers such as TopTV, since new channel owners will have to renegotiate carriage agreements. It could mean that any number of the 25 channel feeds of the MGM channel will get dropped from pay TV platforms if operators and a possible new owner can't come to new agreements.

MGM in America asked for comment, declined comment.

History orders Vikings, a fictional historical drama that will tell the story about a band of Viking brothers and their families.

History (DStv 254) has ordered the TV channel's first drama series entitled Vikings about the legendary Norsemen of medieval times.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios will be producing the show for the History channel in America where it will start showing in 2013. That makes the likelihood big that Vikings will also be shown on History in South Africa which is a channel feed from Britain. Vikings could also go to MGM (TopTV 113) itself (although the channel only currently shows movies from its own MGM stable) or another broadcaster in South Africa, since MGM will be the distributor of Vikings outside of Ireland and Canada.

Vikings will be a historical drama, and will be filmed in Northern Ireland and other locations in Northern Europe similar to where the first seasons of the fantasy shows Camelot and Game of Thrones were filmed last year.

"People think they know about the Vikings – we see references to them all the time in our popular culture, from TV commercials to football teams – but the reality is so much more fascinating and complex, more vivid, visceral and powerful than popular legend," says Nancy Dubuc, History president and general manager in a press release.

''We will explore the mysteries of the Vikings, the adventures they took and the people who led them. And we will start to understand a past that is very much part of our collective DNA today."

Vikings will be a fictitious historical family drama, chronicling the exploits of historical figure Ragnar Lothbrok and his band of Viking brothers as Lothbrok rises to become king of the Viking tribes.

Vikings is an international Ireland-Canada co-production from World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. Vikings has been created and will be written by Michael Hearst whose other show indeed included Camelot.

Programming note: MGM on TopTV doing an 'Oscar Nights' movie festival during February.

MGM (TopTV 113) will be celebrating the upcoming 84th Annual Academy Awards from 10 to 26 February with a themed ''Oscar Nights'' showing a classic Academy Award winner or nominee nightly.

MGM will have a movie fitting the following themes, on the following nights: ''The Soundtrack of Our Lives'' from 10 to 12 February, ''Great Actors'' from 17 - 19 February, and ''Great Stories'' from 24 to 26 February. All the movies will start on MGM at 21:00 (South African time).

Here's the movie line-up:
10 Feb: Mannequin
11 Feb: Irma La Douce
12 Feb: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
17 Feb: Ulee's Gold
18 Feb: Salvador
19 Feb: Coming Home
24 Feb: Khartoum
25 Feb: Hannah and Her Sisters
26 Feb: Radio Days

Chris Ottinger appointed as the new president of international TV distribution and acquisitions at MGM.

Chris Ottinger has been appointed as president of international television distribution and acquisitions at MGM (TopTV 113).

Chris Ottinger was previously the American studio's executive vice president for worldwide television and now takes over control of international TV distribution and acquisitions. He will now be reporting to the new Roma Khanna, president of television and digital at MGM who is starting in this position in July.

Chris Ottinger has been with MGM since 2007 looking after MGM's international pay TV business. His appointment comes after Gary Marenzi quit earlier this week.

ALSO READ: Gary Marenzi quits as president of worldwide television at MGM.
ALSO READ: Roma Khanna appointed as new president of MGM's television and digital operations for MGM worldwide.

Gary Marenzi quits MGM as president of worldwide television weeks before he was supposed to report to new appointment Roma Khanna.

Gary Marenzi, president of worldwide television at MGM (TopTV 113) has quit a few months after MGM's former co-president, Jim Packer, who left MGM in January.

Gary Marenzi was in charge of production and distribution for television and digital media for the past four years.

At MGM Gary Marenzi was instrumental in the launch of the new teen drama series Teen Wolf and the sale of the show to international broadcasters. Teen Wolf will start on 1 August in South Africa on Vuzu (DStv 123) and will also later be shown on MTV in South Africa and Africa.

ALSO READ: Hot werewolf show Teen Wolf on Vuzu from 1 August.

Gary Marenzi decided to quit MGM just weeks before the former NBCUniversal executive Roma Khanna is set to join MGM as the new president of MGM's television group and digital from next month, handling all worldwide television operations.

Gary Marenzi who was MGM's top TV executive, would have had to now report to Roma Khanna in the post-bankruptcy rebuilding of MGM's TV division. Gary Marenzi's duties will for now be handled by Chris Ottinger, the executive vice president of international television distribution.

BREAKING. Roma Khanna appointed as new president of MGM's television and digital operations for MGM worldwide.

Roma Khanna has been appointed to run MGM's TV and digital division worldwide of which the MGM movie channel (TopTV 113) is seen in South Africa.

Roma Khanna was running international networks at NBC but left earlier this year. As president of MGM's Television Group and Digital she will oversee all television sales, production, acquisitions, licensing, content creation and digital initiatives for MGM globally. Roma Khanna will also oversee all existing franchises and partnerships and guide the creation of new content based on the MGM library.

"We look forward to Roma developing a robust slate of new television and digital content for markets all around the world,'' MGM says in a statement. ''MGM has a long history of creating and distributing world-class content and I am very excited to have the opportunity to help grow the global business across both digital and traditional platforms,'' says Roma Khanna.

BREAKING. MGM files for bankruptcy; ''is emerging from one of the most challenging periods of its storied history''.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) has filed for bankruptcy. MGM has a subsidiary called MGM Networks that distributes the MGM channel to 120 countries globally, including since May this year to On Digital Media's (ODM) TopTV's channel 113.

MGM that was founded in 1924 is currently undergoing serious reorganization and officially filed for what is known in America as ''Chapter 11 bankruptcy'' earlier today. ''Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) today announced that it and approximately 160 of its affiliates have filed Chapter 11 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to seek confirmation of their “pre-packaged” plan of reorganization,'' MGM says in a press release.

''MGM is emerging from one of the most challenging periods of its storied history. We are honored and inspired at the prospect of leading one of Hollywood's most iconic studios into its next generation of unforgettable filmmaking, global television production and distribution, and aggressively pursuing, developing and exploiting new digital entertainment platforms.''

''Upon its exit from bankruptcy, MGM expects to raise approximately $500 million in financing to fund operations, including production of a new slate of films and television series. MGM will retain ownership of all of its assets,'' says the studio.