MUMBAI: MBC Group has signed a long term free television output deal with Paramount Pictures Corporation.

As part of the deal with Paramount, MBC will have exclusive rights to broadcast some of the studio’s stand-out theatrical hits including this year’s, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which has recorded over $829 million in worldwide box office and continues to climb; and Star Trek, which has reached over $385 million in worldwide box office.

In addition, the deal includes rights to Paramount’s recent worldwide hit, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, which is also still in theatrical release throughout the world and has already achieved over $ 269 million in worldwide box office.

"We’re delighted to tie up this deal with Paramount to show some of the biggest box office hits of the year for the first time on free TV. This is wonderful news for viewers of our movie channels, MBC2 and MBC MAX, and is further proof of our commitment to movies in the region," said MBC Group TV director Tim Riordan.

Paramount president of worldwide television distribution Hal Richardson added, "We are very pleased to have concluded this arrangement with one of the leading free to air entertainment broadcasters in the Middle East and look forward to expanding the successful working relationship we have developed with our friends at MBC."

Other titles included in this exclusive free television deal are Marvel’s Iron Man and DreamWorks Animation’s Monsters vs. Aliens, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.