MUMBAI: INX Media has signed a three-year television licensing agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) for the Hindi telecast of 20 films from the James Bond collection. These films will be telecast on the company’s Hindi general entertainment channel 9X.

INX Media founder and CEO Indrani Mukerjea said, “James Bond movies have always been immensely popular in India for their edge-of-the-seat entertainment and the titles are a great fit with 9X’s promise of ‘9 Times More.’ We are confident that millions of viewers will enjoy these thrilling films in Hindi on 9X.”

“We have reunited the James Bond movies under one roof in India and this agreement lends itself to maximum promotion and publicity opportunities that will drive viewership in the region. With our friends at 9X, we look forward to showcasing the Bond franchise in the territory,” said MGM co-president, worldwide television Gary Marenzi.

The James Bond series is the longest running film franchise in history, beginning in 1962 with Dr. No. The collection to be aired on 9X will include classics like Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Moonraker, Octopussy, GoldenEye and Die Another Day. Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan have all played the role of the super spy.

9X will also air a series of Bond specials, highlighting some interesting trivia about the franchise. The specials – ‘And The Word Was Bond’, ‘The Bond Cocktail’ and ‘Bond Girls Are Forever’ – will also showcase interviews with the cast and crew and reveal such secrets as the ingredients of Bond’s most famous cocktail.