SCI FI Channel, RHI in TV movie pact

Sci Fi Channel and RHI Entertainment announced Thursday they have entered into a network license agreement for a slate of U.S. premiere TV movies.

The agreement was announced by Thomas Vitale, Sci Fi's senior vice president of programming and original movies, and Robert Halmi, Jr., president and chief executive officer of RHI Entertainment.

"RHI understands our audience and knows how to deliver the kind of powerful, edge-of-your-seat entertainment our viewers crave," Vitale said in a statement. "These movies will be a great addition to our 'Most Dangerous Night of Television' weekend franchise and we look forward to seeing them on our air."

"We are thrilled to be working with Sci Fi Channel again," added Halmi, Jr. "The RHI-Sci Fi partnership has already turned out highly rated and acclaimed productions, including most recently, the Emmy Award-winning 'Tin Man.' We are confident that these chilling, action-packed films will continue the tradition of success this partnership has enjoyed to date."

The deal includes basic cable rights for five new horror and thriller projects.

"Hellhounds," directed by Ricky Schroder, and "Rise of the Gargoyle," starring Eric Balfour, have already wrapped production on location in Romania.

Production on "Alien Western," "Carney" and "Sand Serpents," also to be shot on location in Romania, is set to begin shortly, the companies said.