Carlton to Buy ITC Film and Television Library

LONDON — Carlton Communications, Britain’s biggest free-to-air commercial broadcaster, agreed to buy Universal Studios Inc.’s ITC television and film library for $150 million in cash to broaden its programming.

Carlton said the purchase from PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, part of Seagram Co., will give it more than 300 movies and 5,000 hours of mostly British TV programs, increasing its library more than 50%.

The programs will add to Carlton’s film distribution unit and also enhance the offerings available on ONdigital, the new digital TV service co-owned by Carlton and Granada Group, Carlton said. ONdigital, the world’s first digital TV service available via a TV aerial, is competing with satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting Group for British pay-TV subscribers.

Among the films in the ITC library are “The Boys From Brazil,” “On Golden Pond” and “Sophie’s Choice.” Television programs include “The Saint” and “Space 1999.”

“The ITC library fits perfectly with our growing collection of television programs and films,” Carlton Chairman Michael Green said in a statement. “It gives Carlton even more to sell to the rapidly expanding number of channels worldwide.”