Lightbox signs major studio deal

Dexter, Twin Peaks and Nurse Jackie are set to stream on Lightbox.

The battle of video-on-demand is stepping up as Spark's Lightbox announces a new studio deal with one of the world's biggest content providers.

The move comes just a day after Lightbox announced a new sports partnership with Coliseum Sports Media and cements Spark's position as a serious challenger to traditional television providers.

It comes as Sky TV prepares to launch its own video on demand service, Neon, which was originally announced to launch this month but appears to have been delayed, with no further details released.

Lightbox has signed a deal with US broadcaster CBS - formerly TV3's broadcast partner - securing the rights to hit series such as Californication, Dexter, Nurse Jackie and the cult classic Twin Peaks.

Mediaworks chose not to renew its output deal with CBS in 2012, instead opting to purchase individual programmes.

Lightbox also announced two additional content deals with local production companies Moon Media and Top Shelf Productions, which will see the Moon TV series and local documentaries added to the service.

In addition to Sky's Neon service, video on demand giant Netflix will join the growing market in March.

TVNZ is also upgrading its video-on-demand offering, with a new TVNZ On Demand service due to launch in March.

- nzherald.co.nz