E1 Entertainment reports Significant global Box Office growth in 2009
12 January 2010
TORONTO, January 12, 2010 – E1 Entertainment (E1) today announced that the Company achieved extraordinary box office momentum in 2009 as its theatrical releases demonstrated significant year-over-year growth in all its geographies, including an impressive 718 per cent increase in the U.K.; a 74 per cent increase in Canada, and a 46 per cent climb in The Netherlands.
In the U.K., E1 distributed films grew their take from £6,490,661 ($10,732,459 CAD) in 2008 to £53,106,957 ($87,813,590 CAD) in 2009 with 13 films released during this period, including The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Nativity!, An Education and Knowing. In the process, E1 increased its U.K. box office market share from 0.68 per cent to 4.93 per cent, making it the second largest independent distributor in the U.K.
“In what proved to be a turbulent year for many companies in the film industry, E1 has remained focused on its goal of becoming the independent film distributor of choice in every market where it does business. Based on our success growing in our existing markets in 2009, we are very much on track to continue to aggressively expand our reach into new markets in 2010” said Patrice Theroux, President of E1’s Filmed Entertainment division.
In Canada, E1 increased box office revenues from $32,654,952 CAD in 2008 to $56,847,844 CAD in 2009. In terms of market share, E1 now holds 5.6 per cent of the total Canadian market share and is now the second largest independent Canadian film distributor. In Quebec, E1/Seville achieved 53 per cent growth in box office revenues, growing from $12,101,736 CAD in 2008 to $18,525,598 CAD in 2009. E1 now holds more than a 10.4 per cent share of the overall Quebec market and has 31.3 per cent of the Quebec independent market.
Business in The Netherlands was equally as strong, with E1 taking the top spot among independents. Box office revenues increased by 46 per cent and increased from €12,080,000 ($17,954,477 CAD) in 2008 to €17,697,093 ($26,305,769) CAD in 2009, while E1’s market share grew from 7.3 per cent to 8.8 per cent of the overall Netherlands market.
“We expect that E1’s success in 2009 will yield returns for years to come,” added Patrice Theroux. “As we hold all rights to these films in our 3 major markets, we will continue to enjoy revenues generated from their continuous exploitation on DVD, Digital, On-Demand , Pay-Per-View and all forms of television licensing, well into the future.”
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television and music rights and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190 countries.
The company currently operates in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Holland and Belgium through its four primary businesses units: E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution. These businesses collectively represent E1’s extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production/distribution, kids’ content, licensing and distribution.
E1’s content library includes more than 3,700 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks.
For more
information:
Holly Cybulski
E1 Entertainment Canada
HCybulski@e1ent.com
416.979.1933
Edelman for E1 Entertainment
Tom Sargent
Thomas.Sargent@Edelman.com
416.979.1120