Star Movies celebrates ‘passion for Hollywood movies’

(Published Dec. 9, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

Movie buffs and members of the media recently converged at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City for events organized by cable channel Star Movies. A 14-hour movie marathon required 100 contestants to watch several flicks nonstop at the Newport Cinema, while a media appreciation dinner was held at the Red Crab restaurant later that day.

“The marathon celebrated the Filipino’s passion for Hollywood movies, and also showcased the state-of-the-art movie theater facilities of Resorts World,” said Fox International Channels’ territory director Jude Turcuato.

The 100 movie marathoners/promo participants were randomly chosen. They were given food and drinks, but were not allowed any bathroom breaks within the 14-hour, five-movie span. Films like “The Godfather,” “G.I. Joe,” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” were screened.

“Participants were chosen from the almost 50,000 e-mail entries for the promotion,” Turcuato said. The objective is to endure watching multiple movies in the theater without giving in to the call of nature.

A cash prize of P100,000 was split among 16 winners by the end of the marathon.

Turcuato revealed that Star Movies is currently faring well, enjoying an increase in local viewers.

“Star Movies has 20 percent more viewers this year compared to last year, and competes head to head with HBO in leadership among movie channels,” he said. “It is consistently in the top 10 among all cable channels, and is the highest rated English cable channel that accepts advertising.”

Star Movies viewers can look forward to the airing of “Twilight: Eclipse,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Toy Story 3” in the coming months, Turcuato added. The channel will be revamping its “on-air look” and will be having more contests, among other things, to attract more viewers.

“In the past two years, Star Movies has inked exclusive partnerships for Asia with the biggest studios like 20th Century Fox and Disney to showcase the most popular titles available. Star Movies is also working in unison with the other channels and the major cable operators to fight piracy by using better encryption methods and putting out more compelling content. On the local end, promotions such as the movie marathon create more reasons for our viewers to enjoy our movies instead of watching pirated content.”