HBO, SPE sign movie deal. (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.)(Brief Article)

HBO has signed a long-term deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment that extends the network's rights to Columbia Pictures titles by six years and wrestles away rights to TriStar Pictures titles from rival Showtime. The deal gives HBO exclusive pay TV rights to future Columbia movies theatrically released through the year 2004 and exclusive rights to TriStar titles from 1998 to 2004. HBO is expected to …