Amazon, IMDb sign new licensing deal with Universal

Under the agreement, IMDb TV, Amazon’s free streaming service, has also secured an exclusive additional window for films from UFEG’s 2020-2021 theatrical slate and rights to a package of animated titles. (File/AFP)
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Updated 12 July 2021
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Amazon, IMDb sign new licensing deal with Universal

  • Agreement will bring Universal’s new releases to streaming platforms

DUBAI: A multi-year licensing deal between Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG) and Amazon will bring the former’s theatrical releases to the streaming platform from next year.

UFEG’s new live-action films will first become available on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock after their theatrical releases, before landing exclusively on Prime Video four months later. Among the movies are “Jurassic World: Dominion,” “The 355,” and “Ambulance.”

Amazon will also receive rights to a variety of Universal’s library flicks.

Under the agreement, IMDb TV, Amazon’s free streaming service, has also secured an exclusive additional window for films from UFEG’s 2020-2021 theatrical slate and rights to a package of animated titles.

These include “Dolittle,” “The Invisible Man,” and “F9 (Fast and Furious 9),” as well as access to select titles in UFEG’s animation library such as “Despicable Me 2,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” and “Shrek 2.”

Peter Levinsohn, UFEG’s vice chairman and chief distribution officer, said: “Recognizing that all parties would benefit from a modernized windowing structure, this new agreement allows Prime Video and IMDb TV to benefit from UFEG’s vast library and diverse content like never before.”

In a joint statement, Lauren Anderson and Ryan Pirozzi, co-heads of content and programming at IMDb TV, said: “Expanding our library with prominent UFEG titles from every genre, IMDb TV continues to deliver on our promise to provide viewers the content they crave with something for everyone.”


Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut

Updated 14 January 2026
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Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut

  • The court cut her sentence from five years to two, ‌making her eligible for ‌immediate release, ‌her ⁠brother ​told ‌Reuters

TUNIS: A Tunisian appeal court on Wednesday ordered the release of journalist Chatha ​BelHajj Mubarak, jailed since 2023 in a conspiracy case, after reducing her prison sentence, her family said.
The court cut her sentence from five years to two, ‌making her eligible for ‌immediate release, ‌her ⁠brother ​told ‌Reuters.
She was convicted in the so-called “Instalingo” case, which involved politicians, media figures and other defendants accused of conspiracy and financial crimes. BelHajj Mubarak denied the charges.
“Chatha ⁠is free and leaving prison,” ‌her brother, Amen BelHajj Mubarak, ‍said.
He said ‍her health had severely ‍deteriorated during her time in prison. She suffered serious complications, including significant hearing loss, and was diagnosed ​with cancer in detention, he added.
Tunisian authorities have said the ⁠case stems from judicial investigations into alleged financial and security-related offenses, and have rejected accusations by opposition groups that the prosecutions were politically motivated.
Tunisian prosecutors are pursuing a number of high-profile conspiracy cases involving politicians, journalists and activists. Several opposition ‌leaders have received lengthy prison terms.