BT in talks for $50m investment in Curzon independent film fund
TELECOMS giant BT is in talks with Curzon World to make a $50m (£30m) investment that would bolster its independent film offering on BT TV.
BT is reportedly looking to invest in Curzon’s third film fund to buy exclusive cinema and on-demand rights for independent films, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
Discussions are said to be in very early stages according to people with knowledge of the talks who warned that there was a chance they would not lead to an investment.
Curzon World, owner of film distributor Artificial Eye and six cinemas specialising in independent films, has an existing relationship with BT to offer its pay-per-view film library via BT’s movie streaming service on BT TV.
Curzon’s previously acquired the rights to films including Blue is the Warmest Colour, winner of Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2013.
BT executives hinted at the telecoms firm’s full year results last month that further non-sport pay-TV content deals would be announced over the coming year to support its existing £2bn investment in content for BT Sport.