Cable networks TNT, TBS, USA and FX have been buying up theatrical releases by the dozens in recent weeks, including a package of yet-unreleased Warner Bros. films 10,000 B.C., THE DARK KNIGHT, SPEED RACER to Turner Broadcasting's TNT and TBS, VARIETY reported Wednesday.
The Warners/Turner deal also includes released pictures like TMNT, ANT BULLY and I AM LEGEND.
Details and monies weren't discussed by the parties, but generally with prebuys, the network pays about 11 percent of the final domestic box office, capped at $250 million gross in U.S. theaters.
USA recently bought INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL from Paramount, with FX tying down several titles from Sony and Columbia, including two Judd Apatow movies.
TBS can run ANT BULLY in June, TNT gets TMNT in October 2009, with others to seep into rotation in 2010 and 2011.
