Universal Studios Home Entertainment Canada and Nelvana Enterprises have signed a seven-year home video deal that will see Universal manufacture, market and distribute DVDs for the Nelvana animated properties Jane and the Dragon, Grossology, Di-Gata Defenders, Ruby Gloom and Franklin. The deal covers more than 150 episodes of the shows.
‘This agreement perfectly combines the premier marketing and distribution infrastructure of one of the world’s most successful media companies with a number of the world’s top-quality youth entertainment brands,’ comments Steve Dorman, exec VP and managing director of Universal Studios Home Entertainment Canada.
‘This strategic arrangement will allow us to leverage [Universal’s] industry-leading marketing and distribution capabilities to ensure that our shows gain maximum retail and consumer exposure,’ adds Peter Maule, VP of worldwide home entertainment and digital media for Nelvana.
The deal follows Nelvana’s recent agreement to sell its animated content through online stores powered by HP Video Merchant Services. Episodes of such series as Beyblade, Braceface, Brian Jacques’ Redwall and Tales from the Cryptkeeper will soon be available for purchase as DVDs manufactured on demand and/or via electronic sell through in the U.S. via HP’s network of retailers.
