Rogers Cable Inc. has struck a deal that will allow the operator to offer movies from MGM Home Entertainment on-demand.

Rogers, owner of one of the largest video store chains in Canada, said the video-on-demand agreement marks the first between a major Hollywood studio and a Canadian MSO. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Rogers presently offers VOD in central Toronto and has tapped SeaChange International as its primary VOD vendor in that market. The operator plans to add the service to more neighborhoods in the city throughout 2003.

Digital customers in VOD-enabled areas can access a library of 400 titles, including movies, concerts, documentaries and television series.

Rogers also gets content from Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution, which has relationships with Miramax, New Line, Artisan Films, Lion's Gate, CBC, Corus Entertainment and TVA.