23/12/2008
UK-based Shed Media PLC has sealed a major, comprehensive home video
rights deal with Acorn Media Group, a leading independent video and DVD
distributor specialising in high quality British television series.
The
deal sees Acorn take an exclusive first option on all Shed Media
productions in a worldwide DVD deal. Privately owned Acorn was
established in the US over twenty years ago, opening up a UK division
ten years ago and most recently it opened up its Australian operation.
Over this period Acorn has firmly established its reputation for
releasing the very best of British television. Some of Acorn’s key
brands include Midsomer Murders, Foyle’s War and Lynda La Plante’s
Trial & Retribution.
Acorn already successfully
distributes several Shed Media series in the UK including series three
and four of Wall to Wall’s drama production for BBC1 New Tricks with
Dennis Waterman, and all series of smash hit Who Do You Think You Are?
The
initial focus of the deal now will be to exploit DVD rights for prime
time drama and comedy series programming, taking advantage of Acorn’s
strong market positions in these fields but will encompass other genres
to be found within the Shed Media family of companies form factual
entertainment, specialist factual. Starting from January 1st 2009 the
first titles to be released in the UK will include the hit BBC One
drama Waterloo Road series three and four, the brand new BBC One series
Hope Springs starring Alex Kingston and the new six part comedy series
from Catherine Bailey, Life of Riley.
Acorn Media UK’s
Managing Director, Paul Holland explained: ‘We are very excited that
Shed Media have decided to work with Acorn Media as their worldwide
partner for DVD publishing starting in 2009. This deal will deliver
some of the best new prime time TV programming on DVD in the months and
years ahead across many genres including modern drama, classic drama,
comedy and special interest.’ Holland continued: ‘Another brilliant
aspect to this deal is that it gives Acorn the opportunity to delve
into the catalogue of the Shed Media group of companies and allow us to
release on DVD a number of new titles from a fabulously rich catalogue
of programming. The success we have enjoyed on New Tricks in the UK is
just the start of bigger things to come.’
The deal was put
together by global content distributor Outright whose slate of
programming, which it sells on behalf of both its parent company Shed
Media and third-party producers, is now some 1250 hours of finished
programming and 80 properties with format rights available.