Entertainment One Ltd. completes Blueprint, Barna-Alper, Oasis and Maximum Film acquisitions
25 September 2008
TORONTO, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - Entertainment One Ltd., today announces the completion of the acquisition of: the television production companies Blueprint and Barna-Alper; the international television distributor Oasis; and the Canadian and international distribution operations of Maximum Films, first announced on 7 July 2008.
The four acquisitions establish Entertainment One as a fully-integrated film, television, music, sales, marketing and distribution company, with distribution operations and libraries in Canada, the US, the UK, Holland and Belgium. In addition, the company controls a growing library of world-wide rights consisting of over 9,300 hours of programming which will be licensed to both international and domestic distributors and broadcasters by its international sales operations - Oasis - for television product and Seville for theatrical films.
The acquisitions have been integrated into E1's Filmed Entertainment Division, headed by Patrice Theroux, which also includes the UK's Contender Entertainment Group and RCV Entertainment which operates in Holland and Belgium.
"With the closing of these transactions, E1's Filmed Entertainment Division is now in a great position to pursue a wide range of commercial opportunities," said Theroux. "Not only have we created a television company that is a force to be reckoned with in North America, but we've expanded our theatrical market share in Canada and positioned the company to grow significantly in international film sales and distribution."
Notes to Editors :
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO) AIM listed, Entertainment One's strategy is to build the leading global independent entertainment content ownership and distribution business which acquires films, television programs and music content and exploits these rights in all media throughout the world. Entertainment One has operations in Canada, the U.S, Holland, Belgium and the UK. Entertainment One also owns Koch Entertainment, the largest independent record label in North America and a leading independent distributor of music and video in the United States.
For further information:
Shane Dolgin,
Edelman for Entertainment One,
(416) 979-1120 x328,
shane.dolgin@edelman.com