Blockbuster Inc. is in talks about taking a stake in the new Viacom Inc.-led premium television channel that plans to compete with HBO, Showtime and Starz, according to people familiar with the situation. As part of a deal being discussed, Blockbuster would get digital rights to the new channel's programming in return for an investment in the partnership, these people said. Viacom, parent of the Paramount Pictures movie studio, said earlier this month it would join forces with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. to launch a new pay-TV channel that will show movies and original television series made by the three companies. The companies now sell their movies to CBS Corp.'s premium channel Showtime, but talks to renew their agreement fell apart when CBS tried to cut the price.The new partnership is currently in talks with cable operators and various companies with digital interests about deals to distribute the as-yet unnamed channel, which will debut in fall 2009. Blockbuster has been in talks about joining the partnership for several weeks, according to people familiar with the situation.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120943876851351887.html
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