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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc.
| name = Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc.
| logo = Sony Pictures Home Entertainment logo.svg
| logo = [[File:Sony Pictures Home Entertainment logo.svg|frameless|upright=0.5|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_size = 100px
| logo_size =
| logo_alt = Sony Pictures Home Entertainment logo
| logo_alt = Sony Pictures Home Entertainment logo
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2004
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2004
Line 18: Line 18:
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| type = [[Division (business)|Division]]
| industry = [[Home video|Home entertainment]]
| industry = [[Home video|Home entertainment]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1978|06}} in [[Burbank, California]], [[United States]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1978|06}}, in [[Burbank, California]], [[United States]]
| hq_location = [[Sony Pictures Studios|10202 West Washington Boulevard]]
| hq_location = [[Sony Pictures Studios|10202 West Washington Boulevard]]
| hq_location_city = [[Culver City, California|Culver City]], [[California]]
| hq_location_city = [[Culver City, California|Culver City]], [[California]]
| hq_location_country = United States
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served = Worldwide
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Keith LeGoy {{small|([[President (corporate title)|President]])}}
| key_people = Keith LeGoy ([[President (corporate title)|president]])
| products = [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], [[Electronic sell-through|EST]], [[Video on demand|VOD]]
| products = [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], [[Electronic sell-through|EST]], [[Video on demand|VOD]]
| services = Physical and digital distribution
| services = Physical and digital distribution
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==Background==
==Background==
SPHE is responsible for the distribution of the Sony Pictures library for home entertainment, mainly releases from the [[Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group]] ([[Columbia Pictures]], [[TriStar Pictures]], [[Sony Pictures Classics]], and [[Screen Gems]]) as well as releases from [[Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions]] ([[Triumph Films]], [[Destination Films]], [[Stage 6 Films]] and [[Affirm Films]]) and [[Crunchyroll LLC|Crunchyroll, LLC]] after the latter company's deal with [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]] as [[Funimation]] expired.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/funimation-and-universal-pictures-home-entertainment-enter-into-multi-year-distribution-agreement-300103173.html|title=Funimation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Enter Into Multi-Year Distribution Agreement|agency=PR Newswire|date=June 22, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623232234/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/funimation-and-universal-pictures-home-entertainment-enter-into-multi-year-distribution-agreement-300103173.html|archive-date=June 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.onepiecepodcast.com/2017/07/31/sony-funimation-mean/#disqus_thread|title = Sony and Funimation: What does that mean for you?|date = August 2017}}</ref> SPHE also releases and distributes products from [[Lionsgate#Home entertainment|Lionsgate Home Entertainment]], [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]], [[The Criterion Collection]] and Content Partners LLC (which includes titles from [[FilmDistrict]] (now absorbed into [[Focus Features]]), [[Morgan Creek Productions]], [[Franchise Pictures]] and [[Revolution Studios]]). Since June 20, 2007, SPHE has handled distribution of children's content formerly handled by [[Sony BMG]]'s [[Sony Pictures Kids Zone|Sony Wonder]] label.<ref name="Animation World Network">{{Cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/business/sony-home-ent-takes-over-sony-wonder|title=Sony Home Ent. Takes Over Sony Wonder|last=DeMott|first=Rick|date=June 21, 2007|website=Animation World Network|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>
SPHE is responsible for the distribution of the Sony Pictures library for home entertainment, mainly releases from the [[Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group]] ([[Columbia Pictures]], [[TriStar Pictures]], [[Sony Pictures Classics]], and [[Screen Gems]]) as well as releases from [[Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions]] ([[Triumph Films]], [[Destination Films]], [[Stage 6 Films]] and [[Affirm Films]]) and [[Crunchyroll LLC|Crunchyroll, LLC]] after the latter company's deal with [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]] as [[Funimation]] expired.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/funimation-and-universal-pictures-home-entertainment-enter-into-multi-year-distribution-agreement-300103173.html|title=Funimation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Enter Into Multi-Year Distribution Agreement|agency=PR Newswire|date=June 22, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623232234/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/funimation-and-universal-pictures-home-entertainment-enter-into-multi-year-distribution-agreement-300103173.html|archive-date=June 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.onepiecepodcast.com/2017/07/31/sony-funimation-mean/#disqus_thread|title = Sony and Funimation: What does that mean for you?|date = August 2017}}</ref> SPHE also releases and distributes products from [[Lionsgate#Home entertainment|Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] (since 2021), [[The Walt Disney Company]] (since 2024), [[The Criterion Collection]] and Content Partners LLC (which includes titles from [[FilmDistrict]] (now absorbed into [[Focus Features]]), [[Morgan Creek Entertainment]], [[Franchise Pictures]] and [[Revolution Studios]]). Since June 20, 2007, SPHE has handled distribution of children's content formerly handled by [[Sony BMG]]'s [[Sony Pictures Kids Zone|Sony Wonder]] label.<ref name="Animation World Network">{{Cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/news/business/sony-home-ent-takes-over-sony-wonder|title=Sony Home Ent. Takes Over Sony Wonder|last=DeMott|first=Rick|date=June 21, 2007|website=Animation World Network|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>


In Canada, Columbia TriStar Home Video helped distribute tapes from [[Astral Media|Astral Video]] in the 1990s. It also has an Australian deal with [[Hoyts]].
In Canada, Columbia TriStar Home Video helped distribute tapes from [[Astral Media|Astral Video]] in the 1990s. It also has an Australian deal with [[Hoyts]].
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In 1987, once pre-existing distribution deals had expired, [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] announced that it would be launching a home video unit, [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Video]], with Saul Melnick, a former [[MGM Home Entertainment|MGM/UA Home Video]] employee, as its president.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=February 28, 1987|title=Orion, TriStar enter home video arena|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-02-28-Billboard-Page-0083.pdf|access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> In 1988, after Coke sold its entertainment business, Tri-Star Video was merged into RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=February 20, 1988|title=RCA/Columbia Is a Home for Tri-Star|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1988/1988-02-20-Billboard-Page-0003.pdf|access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> In late 1989, it was rumored that [[Trans World Entertainment (film company)|Trans World Entertainment]] would eventually sign a deal with RCA/Columbia to distribute its titles.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sweeting|first=Paul|date=December 16, 1989|title=Paramount, RCA/Columbia Indie Deals|pages=1|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1989/1989-12-16-Billboard-Page-0001.pdf|access-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sweeting|first=Paul|date=December 16, 1989|title=Paramount, RCA/Columbia Indie Deals|pages=80|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1989/1989-12-16-Billboard-Page-0110.pdf|access-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref> This rumor bore fruit by that December when a deal with TWE -- which had by this point become a part of [[Epic Productions]], which struck a separate distribution deal with RCA/Columbia not long before -- was officially announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCullaugh |first=Jim |date=23 December 1989 |title=Vid Consolidation Cont'd: RCA/Col Gets TWE Titles |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1989/BB-1989-12-23.pdf |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=World Radio History}}</ref>
In 1987, once pre-existing distribution deals had expired, [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] announced that it would be launching a home video unit, [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Video]], with Saul Melnick, a former [[MGM Home Entertainment|MGM/UA Home Video]] employee, as its president.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=February 28, 1987|title=Orion, TriStar enter home video arena|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-02-28-Billboard-Page-0083.pdf|access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> In 1988, after Coke sold its entertainment business, Tri-Star Video was merged into RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=February 20, 1988|title=RCA/Columbia Is a Home for Tri-Star|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1988/1988-02-20-Billboard-Page-0003.pdf|access-date=September 8, 2021}}</ref> In late 1989, it was rumored that [[Trans World Entertainment (film company)|Trans World Entertainment]] would eventually sign a deal with RCA/Columbia to distribute its titles.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sweeting|first=Paul|date=December 16, 1989|title=Paramount, RCA/Columbia Indie Deals|pages=1|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1989/1989-12-16-Billboard-Page-0001.pdf|access-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sweeting|first=Paul|date=December 16, 1989|title=Paramount, RCA/Columbia Indie Deals|pages=80|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1989/1989-12-16-Billboard-Page-0110.pdf|access-date=October 22, 2021}}</ref> This rumor bore fruit by that December when a deal with TWE -- which had by this point become a part of [[Epic Productions]], which struck a separate distribution deal with RCA/Columbia not long before -- was officially announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCullaugh |first=Jim |date=23 December 1989 |title=Vid Consolidation Cont'd: RCA/Col Gets TWE Titles |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1989/BB-1989-12-23.pdf |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=World Radio History}}</ref>


In March 1990, NBC filed a lawsuit against Columbia and its then-new parent company [[Sony]] under the perception that the latter two parties were violating their joint pact. Columbia purchased the foreign video rights to [[Orion Pictures]] titles a month earlier. NBC alleged that they were unaware of this transaction and had become convinced that Columbia was forming their own video unit in strict defiance of the joint venture, which was set to expire in 1992. Sony/Columbia denied NBC's claims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-16/business/fi-274_1_joint-venture|title=NBC Sues Sony/Columbia in Video 'Plot'|last=Lippman|first=John|date=March 16, 1990|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 9, 2016|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> As the lawsuit continued into 1991, [[General Electric]], the parent of NBC and RCA, announced that it was divesting its interest in RCA/Columbia.<ref name="New York Times 1991-5-30">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/30/business/the-media-business-ge-sells-its-50-stake-in-video-unit.html?scp=3&sq=Sony%20acquires%20Columbia%20Pictures&st=cse|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS – G.E. Sells Its 50% Stake In Video Unit|last=Fabrikant|first=Geraldine|date=May 30, 1991|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> In August 1991, [[General Electric]] sold its 50% share of the company to Sony Corporation, and the litigation officially ended with Sony renaming the company as '''Columbia TriStar Home Video'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-24/business/fi-974_1_sony-pictures-entertainment|title=Entertainment|date=August 24, 1991|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 9, 2016|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> In 1998, it inked a deal with [[The Jim Henson Company]] to launch its own video label, [[The Jim Henson Company|Jim Henson Home Entertainment]], with CTHV distributing; at the time, Columbia and Henson were also allied theatrically for the [[Jim Henson Pictures]] venture.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sandler|first=Adam|date=May 18, 1998|title=Col TriStar, Henson ink vid pact|url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/col-tristar-henson-ink-vid-pact-1117470921/|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 1990, NBC filed a lawsuit against Columbia and its then-new parent company [[Sony]] under the perception that the latter two parties were violating their joint pact. Columbia purchased the foreign video rights to [[Orion Pictures]] titles a month earlier. NBC alleged that they were unaware of this transaction and had become convinced that Columbia was forming their own video unit in strict defiance of the joint venture, which was set to expire in 1992. Sony/Columbia denied NBC's claims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-16/business/fi-274_1_joint-venture|title=NBC Sues Sony/Columbia in Video 'Plot'|last=Lippman|first=John|date=March 16, 1990|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 9, 2016|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> As the lawsuit continued into 1991, [[General Electric]], the parent of NBC and RCA, announced that it was divesting its interest in RCA/Columbia.<ref name="New York Times 1991-5-30">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/30/business/the-media-business-ge-sells-its-50-stake-in-video-unit.html?scp=3&sq=Sony%20acquires%20Columbia%20Pictures&st=cse|title=THE MEDIA BUSINESS – G.E. Sells Its 50% Stake In Video Unit|last=Fabrikant|first=Geraldine|date=May 30, 1991|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> The deal closed in August of that year and the litigation officially ended with Sony renaming the company as '''Columbia TriStar Home Video'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-08-24/business/fi-974_1_sony-pictures-entertainment|title=Entertainment|date=August 24, 1991|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 9, 2016|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> In 1998, it signed a deal with [[The Jim Henson Company]] to launch its own video label, [[The Jim Henson Company|Jim Henson Home Entertainment]], with CTHV distributing; at the time, Columbia and Henson were also allied theatrically for the [[Jim Henson Pictures]] venture.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sandler|first=Adam|date=May 18, 1998|title=Col TriStar, Henson ink vid pact|url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/col-tristar-henson-ink-vid-pact-1117470921/|access-date=November 8, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>


On February 28, 1999, CTHV and [[Universal Studios Home Video]] signed a multi-year deal to allow CTHV to distribute Universal's products on DVD outside North America.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/universal-and-columbia-tristar-join-international-dvd-distribution | title=Universal and Columbia TriStar Join for International DVD Distribution | date=February 28, 1999 }}</ref>
On February 28, 1999, CTHV and [[Universal Studios Home Video]] signed a multi-year deal to allow CTHV to distribute Universal's products on DVD outside North America.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/universal-and-columbia-tristar-join-international-dvd-distribution | title=Universal and Columbia TriStar Join for International DVD Distribution | date=February 28, 1999 }}</ref>
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===Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer===
===Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer===
In 2005, when Sony and four partners acquired [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) from [[Kirk Kerkorian]], SPHE held the domestic home entertainment rights to MGM's 4,000 film and 10,400 television episode library, though the releases used the MGM DVD label. On May 31, 2006, MGM ended its distribution deal with SPHE and transferred most of its output to [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]].
In 2005, when Sony and four partners acquired [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) from [[Kirk Kerkorian]], SPHE held the domestic home entertainment rights to MGM's 4,000 film and 10,400 television episode library, though the releases used the MGM DVD label. However, thanks to a cooling DVD market, sales did not meet projections; this was one of several factors that led to MGM splitting off from Sony Pictures control. On May 31, 2006, MGM ended its distribution deal with SPHE and transferred most of its output to [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eller |first=Claudia |date=2006-05-31 |title=MGM Drops Sony as DVD, TV Distributor |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-may-31-fi-mgm31-story.html |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eller |first=Claudia |date=2006-10-20 |title=MGM Deal a Bold Miscalculation for Sony |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-20-fi-mgm20-story.html |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The MGM fiasco directly led to long time SPHE president Ben Feingold's departure in the fall of 2006, and was replaced by, ironically, [[MGM Home Entertainment]] executive Dave Bishop, who brought along numerous MGM employees to replace Sony staffers.<ref name="High Def Digest">{{Cite web|url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Sony/Industry_Forecasts/sony-home-video-chief-feingold-exits-mgm-vet-steps-in/236|title=Sony Home Video Chief Feingold Exits; MGM Vet Steps In|date=September 14, 2006|website=High-Def Digest|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>


⚫
In February 2011, Sony was in negotiations with MGM for a co-financing deal that would've included full distribution rights to the MGM Home Entertainment library; this deal, however, ultimately did not include home media rights to MGM's catalog (which instead remained with Fox), though Sony would distribute some of the films they co-financed on video as part of the deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/sns-lat-entertainment-sony-finalizing-distribution-and-cofinancing-deal-with-mgm-including-next-two-bond-films-20110208,0,4049023.story|title=Sony finalizing distribution and co-financing deal with MGM, including next two 'Bond' films|last=Fritz|first=Ben|date=February 8, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216082751/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/sns-lat-entertainment-sony-finalizing-distribution-and-cofinancing-deal-with-mgm-including-next-two-bond-films-20110208,0,4049023.story|archive-date=February 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Mike Fleming Jr,Nikki |last2=Jr |first2=Mike Fleming |last3=Finke |first3=Nikki |date=2011-04-13 |title=TOLDJA! MGM Makes Distribution Deal With Sony Pictures That Includes James Bond |url=https://deadline.com/2011/04/toldja-mgm-makes-distribution-deal-with-sony-pictures-that-includes-james-bond-122524/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |date=2011-04-13 |title=Sony Pictures Reaches Agreement with MGM to Co-Finance and Distribute BOND 23 and 24 |url=https://collider.com/mgm-sony-james-bond/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>
In 2006, long time SPHE president Ben Feingold left the company and was replaced by MGM Home Entertainment executive Dave Bishop, who brought along numerous MGM employees to replace Sony staffers.<ref name="High Def Digest">{{Cite web|url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Sony/Industry_Forecasts/sony-home-video-chief-feingold-exits-mgm-vet-steps-in/236|title=Sony Home Video Chief Feingold Exits; MGM Vet Steps In|date=September 14, 2006|website=High-Def Digest|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>

⚫
In February 2011, Sony regained full distribution rights to [[MGM Home Entertainment]] library under a deal that pays SPHE 8% in distribution fees (industry norm is 10%).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/sns-lat-entertainment-sony-finalizing-distribution-and-cofinancing-deal-with-mgm-including-next-two-bond-films-20110208,0,4049023.story|title=Sony finalizing distribution and co-financing deal with MGM, including next two 'Bond' films|last=Fritz|first=Ben|date=February 8, 2011|work=Los Angeles Times|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216082751/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/sns-lat-entertainment-sony-finalizing-distribution-and-cofinancing-deal-with-mgm-including-next-two-bond-films-20110208,0,4049023.story|archive-date=February 16, 2011}}</ref>


===Recent history===
===Recent history===


On February 21, 2010, [[The Weinstein Company]] (TWC) made a home video distribution deal with SPHE through [[Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions]].<ref name="Deadline 2010-2-21">{{Cite web|last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/02/weinsteins-seal-sony-worldwide-dvd-deal/ |title=Weinstein Company Seals Sony DVD Deal |publisher=Deadline |date=February 21, 2010 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> On August 31, 2010, SPHE partnered with [[Image Entertainment]] in a multi-year agreement, marketing and distributing DVDs and Blu-rays by Image. Image retains its own sales and marketing.<ref>"BusinessWire" [http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100831007013/en/Image-Entertainment-Partners-Sony-Pictures-Home-Entertainment Image Entertainment Partners with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420113459/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100831007013/en/Image-Entertainment-Partners-Sony-Pictures-Home-Entertainment |date=April 20, 2016 }} businesswire.com, Retrieved on January 9, 2013</ref>
On February 21, 2010, [[The Weinstein Company]] (TWC) struck a home video distribution deal with SPHE through [[Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions]].<ref name="Deadline 2010-2-21">{{Cite web|last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/02/weinsteins-seal-sony-worldwide-dvd-deal/ |title=Weinstein Company Seals Sony DVD Deal |publisher=Deadline |date=February 21, 2010 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> On August 31, 2010, SPHE partnered with [[RLJ Entertainment]] in a multi-year agreement, marketing and distributing DVDs and Blu-rays by RLJ. RLJ retained their own sales and marketing.<ref>"BusinessWire" [http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100831007013/en/Image-Entertainment-Partners-Sony-Pictures-Home-Entertainment Image Entertainment Partners with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420113459/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100831007013/en/Image-Entertainment-Partners-Sony-Pictures-Home-Entertainment |date=April 20, 2016 }} businesswire.com, Retrieved on January 9, 2013</ref>


In September 2011, the Australian division of SPHE announced they would merge their video operations with the local operations of [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures International Entertainment]] to form a joint-venture called Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/universal-sony-merge-australian-home-231535/ | title=Universal, Sony Merge Australian Home Entertainment Operations | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=September 6, 2011 }}</ref>
In September 2011, the Australian division of SPHE announced they would merge their video operations with the local operations of [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures International Entertainment]] to form a joint-venture called Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/universal-sony-merge-australian-home-231535/ | title=Universal, Sony Merge Australian Home Entertainment Operations | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=September 6, 2011 }}</ref>
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On December 18, 2013, SPHE president David Bishop, who had served since 2006, announced he would leave when his contract expired in March 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-david-bishop-departing-654340/|title=Sony Pictures Home Ent. Boss David Bishop Departing|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=December 18, 2013|website=Deadline|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321231206/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-david-bishop-departing/|archive-date=March 21, 2014|access-date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> It was announced that Man Jit Singh would replace Bishop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/01/sony-pictures-names-new-home-entertainment-chief/|title=Sony Pictures Names Man Jit Singh CEO Home Entertainment|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=January 6, 2014|website=Deadline|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>
On December 18, 2013, SPHE president David Bishop, who had served since 2006, announced he would leave when his contract expired in March 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-david-bishop-departing-654340/|title=Sony Pictures Home Ent. Boss David Bishop Departing|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=December 18, 2013|website=Deadline|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321231206/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-david-bishop-departing/|archive-date=March 21, 2014|access-date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> It was announced that Man Jit Singh would replace Bishop.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/01/sony-pictures-names-new-home-entertainment-chief/|title=Sony Pictures Names Man Jit Singh CEO Home Entertainment|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=January 6, 2014|website=Deadline|access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref>


On July 22, 2015, SPHE and Transmission Films reached a multi-year distribution pact to release Transmission's library in Australia (through Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia Pty Limited) and in New Zealand.<ref name="Sony Pictures Entertainment">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2015/07_15/072215_transmissionfilms.html |title=CULVER CITY, CA (July 22, 2015) – TRANSMISSION FILMS AND SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT PARTNER IN MULTI-YEAR DISTRIBUTION DEAL &#124; Press Release |publisher=Sony Pictures |date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> On November 20, 2015, SPHE announced that it would release Ultra HD [[Blu-ray]] releases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/sony-pictures-becomes-second-studio-to-announce-ultra-hd-films-on-disc-1201637500/|title=Sony Pictures Becomes Second Studio to Announce Ultra HD Films on Disc|last=Arnold|first=Thomas K.|date=November 10, 2015|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=November 20, 2015}}</ref>
On July 22, 2015, SPHE and Transmission Films reached a multi-year distribution pact to release Transmission's library in Australia (through Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia Pty Limited) and in New Zealand.<ref name="Sony Pictures Entertainment">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2015/07_15/072215_transmissionfilms.html | title=CULVER CITY, CA (July 22, 2015) – TRANSMISSION FILMS AND SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT PARTNER IN MULTI-YEAR DISTRIBUTION DEAL &#124; Press Release | publisher=Sony Pictures | date=July 22, 2015 | access-date=July 29, 2015}}</ref> On November 20, 2015, SPHE announced that it would release Ultra HD [[Blu-ray]] releases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/sony-pictures-becomes-second-studio-to-announce-ultra-hd-films-on-disc-1201637500/|title=Sony Pictures Becomes Second Studio to Announce Ultra HD Films on Disc|last=Arnold|first=Thomas K.|date=November 10, 2015|website=Variety|language=en-US|access-date=November 20, 2015}}</ref>


On March 15, 2016, SPHE partnered with [[Entertainment One|eOne]] to distribute films by [[Momentum Pictures]] across the globe except for Canada on physical and digital home entertainment platforms.<ref name="Entertainment One News & Events">[http://entertainmentone.com/about-eone/news-events/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-to-distribute-ent SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT TO DISTRIBUTE ENTERTAINMENT ONE’S MOMENTUM PICTURES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002001818/http://entertainmentone.com/about-eone/news-events/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-to-distribute-ent |date=October 2, 2016 }} entertainmentone.com, Retrieved on June 22, 2017</ref> In January 2017, SPHE expanded its distribution deal with [[Genius Brands]] to include all properties and acquired an equity stake in the company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sony-stake-children-genius-brands-1201962857/|title=Sony Takes Stake in Genius Brands International|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=January 18, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>
On March 15, 2016, SPHE partnered with [[Entertainment One|eOne]] to distribute films by [[Momentum Pictures]] across the globe except for Canada on physical and digital home entertainment platforms.<ref name="Entertainment One News & Events">[http://entertainmentone.com/about-eone/news-events/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-to-distribute-ent SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT TO DISTRIBUTE ENTERTAINMENT ONE’S MOMENTUM PICTURES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002001818/http://entertainmentone.com/about-eone/news-events/sony-pictures-home-entertainment-to-distribute-ent | date=October 2, 2016}} entertainmentone.com, Retrieved on June 22, 2017</ref> In January 2017, SPHE expanded its distribution deal with [[Genius Brands]] to include all properties and acquired an equity stake in the company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/sony-stake-children-genius-brands-1201962857/|title=Sony Takes Stake in Genius Brands International|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=January 18, 2017|work=Variety|access-date=April 12, 2018}}</ref>


On February 6, 2018, Man Jit Singh stepped down as president of SPHE and was replaced by Keith LeGoy.<ref name="Bloomberg">[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-06/sony-pictures-shakes-up-tv-home-entertainment-for-digital-age Sony Pictures Shakes Up TV, Home Entertainment for Digital Age] Anousha Sakoui bloomberg.com February 6, 2018, Retrieved on February 28, 2018</ref>
On February 6, 2018, Man Jit Singh stepped down as president of SPHE and was replaced by Keith LeGoy.<ref name="Bloomberg">[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-06/sony-pictures-shakes-up-tv-home-entertainment-for-digital-age Sony Pictures Shakes Up TV, Home Entertainment for Digital Age] Anousha Sakoui bloomberg.com February 6, 2018, Retrieved on February 28, 2018</ref>
Line 84: Line 82:
In February 2021, Sony announced it would distribute releases by [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] in North America beginning in July 2021, when Lionsgate's distribution deal with [[20th Century Home Entertainment]] (owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]]) expires.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/lionsgate-sony-home-entertainment-deal-1234701848|title=Lionsgate Teams with Sony in New Multi-Year Home Entertainment Pact|date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>
In February 2021, Sony announced it would distribute releases by [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] in North America beginning in July 2021, when Lionsgate's distribution deal with [[20th Century Home Entertainment]] (owned by [[The Walt Disney Company]]) expires.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/lionsgate-sony-home-entertainment-deal-1234701848|title=Lionsgate Teams with Sony in New Multi-Year Home Entertainment Pact|date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>


In February 2024, it was reported that SPHE had reached an agreement to distribute physical releases by Disney in North America, succeeding [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] (who has begun to discontinue physical distribution entirely).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=Disney Strikes Deal for Sony to Take Over Its DVD, Blu-ray Disc Business |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/disney-sony-pysical-media-dvd-blu-ray-disc-business-1235917294/ |website=Variety |access-date=20 February 2024 |date=20 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=February 20, 2024 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Disney & Sony Ink Deal for Sony to Take Over Disney’s Physical Media Production, Disney Movie Club to Shut Down as a Result |url=https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/022024-1000 |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=The Digital Bits}}</ref>
In February 2024, it was reported that SPHE had reached an agreement to distribute physical releases by Disney in North America, succeeding [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] (who has begun to discontinue physical distribution entirely).<ref>{{cite web | last1=Rubin | first1=Rebecca | title=Disney Strikes Deal for Sony to Take Over Its DVD, Blu-ray Disc Business | url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/disney-sony-pysical-media-dvd-blu-ray-disc-business-1235917294/ | website=Variety | access-date=20 February 2024 | date=20 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date=February 20, 2024 | title=EXCLUSIVE: Disney & Sony Ink Deal for Sony to Take Over Disney’s Physical Media Production, Disney Movie Club to Shut Down as a Result |url=https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/022024-1000 | access-date=February 20, 2024 | work=The Digital Bits}}</ref>

In June 24, 2024, it was reported that SPHE had entered into a distribution deal with [[Studio Distribution Services]] (a joint venture between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and [[Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment]]). The deal will allow SDS to handle the physical distribution of titles from Sony Pictures as well as Disney and Lionsgate through their existing distribution deals with SPHE.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hunt |first1=Bill |title=Paramount sets Bringing Out the Dead for 4K Ultra HD, plus Sony signs a new distribution deal with SDS that includes Lionsgate, Disney & 20th Century |url=https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/062424-1230 |website=thedigitalbits.com |access-date=25 June 2024 |date=24 June 2024}}</ref>


==Sub-labels==
==Sub-labels==
Line 93: Line 93:
* '''Musicvision''' – A short-lived music video division of RCA/Columbia Pictures HV in the mid-1980s, primarily releasing artists linked to [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 29, 1986|title=RCA/Col Dropping Music Vid Staff|page=48|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
* '''Musicvision''' – A short-lived music video division of RCA/Columbia Pictures HV in the mid-1980s, primarily releasing artists linked to [[RCA Records]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 29, 1986|title=RCA/Col Dropping Music Vid Staff|page=48|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
* '''Columbia Classics''' – A label releasing classic films on DVD by Columbia Pictures; it was previously used for VHS and LaserDisc releases as well.
* '''Columbia Classics''' – A label releasing classic films on DVD by Columbia Pictures; it was previously used for VHS and LaserDisc releases as well.
* '''Screen Classics by Request''' -- A service available on the web, where classic films are pressed and ordered directly from Sony, similar to Warner Bros.' "Warner Archive" brand. A similar service called "Choice Collection" also exists, but is pressed and ordered directly from Warner, via the systems used for the "Warner Archive" titles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/sony-screen-classics-by-request/|title=Sony Unveils "Screen Classics by Request"|last=Barr|first=Jason|date=September 13, 2010|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Screen Classics by Request''' -- A service available on the web, where classic films are pressed and ordered directly from Sony, similar to Warner Bros.' "[[Warner Archive Collection|Warner Archive]]" brand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/sony-screen-classics-by-request/|title=Sony Unveils "Screen Classics by Request"|last=Barr|first=Jason|date=September 13, 2010|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref>
* '''[[Superbit]]'''
* '''[[Superbit]]'''


Revision as of 23:22, 21 July 2024

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc.
Formerly
  • Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment (1978–1982)
  • RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video (1981–1991)
  • RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1982–1991)
  • Columbia TriStar Home Video (1991–2001)
  • Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001–2004)
Company typeDivision
IndustrieHome entertainment
GegründetJune 1978; 46 years ago (1978-06), in Burbank, California, United States
Hauptsitz10202 West Washington Boulevard,
Culver City, California
,
Vereinigte Staaten
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Keith LeGoy (president)
ProdukteDVD, Blu-ray, EST, VOD
ServicesPhysical and digital distribution
ParentSony Pictures Entertainment
SubsidiariesSony Pictures Kids Zone
Kartoon Studios (equity stake)
Big Picture Productions (Iberia)
WebsiteSPHE website

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Inc. (abbreviated as SPHE) is the home entertainment distribution division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony.

Background

SPHE is responsible for the distribution of the Sony Pictures library for home entertainment, mainly releases from the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group (Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, and Screen Gems) as well as releases from Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Triumph Films, Destination Films, Stage 6 Films and Affirm Films) and Crunchyroll, LLC after the latter company's deal with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment as Funimation expired.[1][2] SPHE also releases and distributes products from Lionsgate Home Entertainment (since 2021), The Walt Disney Company (since 2024), The Criterion Collection and Content Partners LLC (which includes titles from FilmDistrict (now absorbed into Focus Features), Morgan Creek Entertainment, Franchise Pictures and Revolution Studios). Since June 20, 2007, SPHE has handled distribution of children's content formerly handled by Sony BMG's Sony Wonder label.[3]

In Canada, Columbia TriStar Home Video helped distribute tapes from Astral Video in the 1990s. It also has an Australian deal with Hoyts.

History

Early history

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment was established in June 1978 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, and released 20 titles in November 1979.[4] Its first 20 titles were licensed and distributed by Time-Life Video, a unit of Time-Life Films, but the relationship didn't last long, and Columbia formed its own distribution arm.[5]

In March 1981, Columbia Pictures established a joint venture with RCA, RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video, to distribute tapes in overseas markets. The partnership expanded to North America as RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video the following year; this was in part to give RCA's CED videodisc format a steady stream of titles.[6][7][8] The venture distributed NBC titles, as it was a subsidiary of RCA at the time. When Tri-Star Pictures was formed in 1984, R/CPHV became one of the three primary distributors of Tri-Star product for home video (the other two being CBS/Fox Video and Thorn-EMI/HBO Video {later renamed to HBO/Cannon Video and then simply HBO Video}, as CBS and HBO originally held stakes in Tri-Star), and fully assumed distribution of TriStar titles in the early 1990s. In Australia, they signed a deal to distribute releases from Hoyts Distribution and formed a longstanding relationship in August 1983.[9]

They also distributed titles from various other film companies unrelated to Columbia, including most of New Line Cinema's theatrical releases (though not all, as Media Home Entertainment and Family Home Entertainment distributed several New Line films during the Columbia deal). New Line formed their own video label in 1990 (the result of acquiring Nelson Entertainment, which had previously been Embassy Home Entertainment, itself a former Columbia subsidiary), but continued to go through RCA/Columbia Pictures (as well as SVS-Triumph and then Columbia TriStar Home Video) for distribution until 1994, when Turner Broadcasting acquired New Line and Turner Home Entertainment assumed distribution functions. Other companies distributed by RCA/Columbia included Weintraub Entertainment and 21st Century Distribution.

In 1987, once pre-existing distribution deals had expired, Tri-Star Pictures announced that it would be launching a home video unit, Tri-Star Video, with Saul Melnick, a former MGM/UA Home Video employee, as its president.[10] In 1988, after Coke sold its entertainment business, Tri-Star Video was merged into RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video.[11] In late 1989, it was rumored that Trans World Entertainment would eventually sign a deal with RCA/Columbia to distribute its titles.[12][13] This rumor bore fruit by that December when a deal with TWE -- which had by this point become a part of Epic Productions, which struck a separate distribution deal with RCA/Columbia not long before -- was officially announced.[14]

In March 1990, NBC filed a lawsuit against Columbia and its then-new parent company Sony under the perception that the latter two parties were violating their joint pact. Columbia purchased the foreign video rights to Orion Pictures titles a month earlier. NBC alleged that they were unaware of this transaction and had become convinced that Columbia was forming their own video unit in strict defiance of the joint venture, which was set to expire in 1992. Sony/Columbia denied NBC's claims.[15] As the lawsuit continued into 1991, General Electric, the parent of NBC and RCA, announced that it was divesting its interest in RCA/Columbia.[16] The deal closed in August of that year and the litigation officially ended with Sony renaming the company as Columbia TriStar Home Video.[17] In 1998, it signed a deal with The Jim Henson Company to launch its own video label, Jim Henson Home Entertainment, with CTHV distributing; at the time, Columbia and Henson were also allied theatrically for the Jim Henson Pictures venture.[18]

On February 28, 1999, CTHV and Universal Studios Home Video signed a multi-year deal to allow CTHV to distribute Universal's products on DVD outside North America.[19]

It was named Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment from April 2001 until a name change to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment in November 2004.[20]

SPHE had a three-year deal with Starz's Anchor Bay Entertainment for worldwide DVD releases, with the exceptions of North America, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.[21]

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

In 2005, when Sony and four partners acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) from Kirk Kerkorian, SPHE held the domestic home entertainment rights to MGM's 4,000 film and 10,400 television episode library, though the releases used the MGM DVD label. However, thanks to a cooling DVD market, sales did not meet projections; this was one of several factors that led to MGM splitting off from Sony Pictures control. On May 31, 2006, MGM ended its distribution deal with SPHE and transferred most of its output to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.[22][23] The MGM fiasco directly led to long time SPHE president Ben Feingold's departure in the fall of 2006, and was replaced by, ironically, MGM Home Entertainment executive Dave Bishop, who brought along numerous MGM employees to replace Sony staffers.[24]

In February 2011, Sony was in negotiations with MGM for a co-financing deal that would've included full distribution rights to the MGM Home Entertainment library; this deal, however, ultimately did not include home media rights to MGM's catalog (which instead remained with Fox), though Sony would distribute some of the films they co-financed on video as part of the deal.[25][26][27]

Recent history

On February 21, 2010, The Weinstein Company (TWC) struck a home video distribution deal with SPHE through Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.[28] On August 31, 2010, SPHE partnered with RLJ Entertainment in a multi-year agreement, marketing and distributing DVDs and Blu-rays by RLJ. RLJ retained their own sales and marketing.[29]

In September 2011, the Australian division of SPHE announced they would merge their video operations with the local operations of Universal Pictures International Entertainment to form a joint-venture called Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. [30]

On April 23, 2012, Mill Creek announced that they had signed a home video distribution deal with SPHE, acquiring the rights to distribute 250 films from the Sony Pictures catalog on DVD and Blu-ray.[31] On August 27, 2013, Mill Creek Entertainment signed a deal with SPHE to distribute 665 SPE films and 54 television series on DVD.[32]

Anime News Network reported in February 2013 that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's Australian joint venture with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment licensed anime television series from NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan for distribution in Australia, with its initial titles, A Certain Magical Index, Shakugan no Shana and Armitage III, scheduled for release on April 24, 2013.[33] From 2017 to 2018, Funimation began directly distributing a select number of its anime titles in Australia and New Zealand through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's Australian joint venture with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. In September 2018, Funimation transferred distribution to Madman Entertainment, with Madman handling distribution and classification within the region.[34][35]

On December 18, 2013, SPHE president David Bishop, who had served since 2006, announced he would leave when his contract expired in March 2014.[36] It was announced that Man Jit Singh would replace Bishop.[37]

On July 22, 2015, SPHE and Transmission Films reached a multi-year distribution pact to release Transmission's library in Australia (through Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia Pty Limited) and in New Zealand.[38] On November 20, 2015, SPHE announced that it would release Ultra HD Blu-ray releases.[39]

On March 15, 2016, SPHE partnered with eOne to distribute films by Momentum Pictures across the globe except for Canada on physical and digital home entertainment platforms.[40] In January 2017, SPHE expanded its distribution deal with Genius Brands to include all properties and acquired an equity stake in the company.[41]

On February 6, 2018, Man Jit Singh stepped down as president of SPHE and was replaced by Keith LeGoy.[42]

In February 2021, Sony announced it would distribute releases by Lionsgate Home Entertainment in North America beginning in July 2021, when Lionsgate's distribution deal with 20th Century Home Entertainment (owned by The Walt Disney Company) expires.[43]

In February 2024, it was reported that SPHE had reached an agreement to distribute physical releases by Disney in North America, succeeding Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (who has begun to discontinue physical distribution entirely).[44][45]

In June 24, 2024, it was reported that SPHE had entered into a distribution deal with Studio Distribution Services (a joint venture between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment). The deal will allow SDS to handle the physical distribution of titles from Sony Pictures as well as Disney and Lionsgate through their existing distribution deals with SPHE.[46]

Sub-labels

During this time, the company also has and had some sub-labels, including:

  • Magic Window – Children's titles (including He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and The Real Ghostbusters,[47] as well as classic Columbia/UPA cartoons).
  • SVS-Triumph – Some low-profile Columbia, TriStar, New Line, CineTel Films and Epic Productions releases, and releases from Triumph Films (it was founded in 1979 as Sony Video Services, then Sony Video Software,[48] and renamed after the formation of Sony Pictures Entertainment, to be used briefly in-between the ending of the RCA joint venture and the formation of Columbia-TriStar[49]).
  • Musicvision – A short-lived music video division of RCA/Columbia Pictures HV in the mid-1980s, primarily releasing artists linked to RCA Records.[50]
  • Columbia Classics – A label releasing classic films on DVD by Columbia Pictures; it was previously used for VHS and LaserDisc releases as well.
  • Screen Classics by Request -- A service available on the web, where classic films are pressed and ordered directly from Sony, similar to Warner Bros.' "Warner Archive" brand.[51]
  • Superbit

International sub-labels

  • RCA/Columbia Pictures International Video – Used for videos distributed outside the US and Canada. Orion Pictures films were distributed globally via this label.
  • 20/20 Vision – A British rental home video label that released films by TriStar Pictures, Goldcrest Films International, New Line Cinema, Triumph Films and Columbia Pictures.
  • Cinema Club - British joint-venture with Video Collection International for budget-priced movies mainly from CTHV's catalog that VCI would distribute.[52] The venture was later sold entirely to VCI, who used it as their low-price budget label for mainstream releases.
  • First Independent Films – a British film distributor and home video company formed by HTV after acquiring Vestron Video International's UK operations in May 1990. First Independent was sold to Sony in 1997 and was entirely folded into Columbia TriStar Home Video by 1999. However, Columbia TriStar continued to use the First Independent Films label for some years afterwards.
  • First Release Home Entertainment – A mixture of B-movies, Magic Window, music videos, TriStar, top TV shows, re-releases, Thames Video and some mainstream Hoyts/Columbia/Cannon/Triumph/other film releases in Australia and The Netherlands.
  • Gaumont-Columbia-RCA Video – A joint-venture with Gaumont that released Gaumont, Columbia, TriStar, and Triumph products on VHS. They were formed in 1982, renamed as Gaumont/RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video in 1986, and under its final name in 1992.
  • RCA/Columbia Pictures/Hoyts Video Pty. Ltd. – An Australian joint-venture with Hoyts Distribution that was formed in August 1983.[9] The company released products from Hoyts, Cannon Films, Columbia Pictures, TriStar and Triumph Films in the market.
  • Video Box Office – a mixture of B-movies, HBO and some mainstream releases in Australia.
  • VideoServis – A Russian home video label with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment that released films by Columbia Pictures, Monumental Pictures, TriStar and Screen Gems, created in 1994.[53]

During the time that Consolidated Press Holdings, and later Publishing and Broadcasting Limited and West Australian Newspapers owned Hoyts, they re-established the Hoyts Distribution arm of the company. SPHE Australia releases Hoyts titles, including the recent box-office hit, Twilight. They also released the handful of films from the Nine Network's film arm, Nine Films and Television.

SPHE also handles the Australian DVD distribution of Lionsgate titles (via Hoyts), after that company was unsuccessful in purchasing Magna Pacific, and the subsequent collapse of the successful bidder, Destra Entertainment.

References

  1. ^ "Funimation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Enter Into Multi-Year Distribution Agreement" (Press release). PR Newswire. June 22, 2015. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  2. ^ "Sony and Funimation: What does that mean for you?". August 2017.
  3. ^ DeMott, Rick (June 21, 2007). "Sony Home Ent. Takes Over Sony Wonder". Animation World Network. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  4. ^ [1] Archived August 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Brown, Les (June 13, 1979). "Videotapes for Homes". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  6. ^ McCullaugh, Jim (July 10, 1982). "See RCA Label Boost In Vid Deal" (PDF). World Radio History. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  7. ^ ""RCA, Col Pix Form Joint Video Board."" (PDF). World Radio History. October 30, 1982. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  8. ^ "Columbia Pictures, RCA in Venture". The New York Times. June 29, 1982. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "RCA/Col/Hoyts Hot with 'Gandhi', 'Tootsie;' Dealer Discount Helps". Variety. May 2, 1984. p. 84.
  10. ^ "Orion, TriStar enter home video arena" (PDF). Billboard. February 28, 1987. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  11. ^ "RCA/Columbia Is a Home for Tri-Star" (PDF). Billboard. February 20, 1988. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Sweeting, Paul (December 16, 1989). "Paramount, RCA/Columbia Indie Deals" (PDF). Billboard. p. 1. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  13. ^ Sweeting, Paul (December 16, 1989). "Paramount, RCA/Columbia Indie Deals" (PDF). Billboard. p. 80. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  14. ^ McCullaugh, Jim (December 23, 1989). "Vid Consolidation Cont'd: RCA/Col Gets TWE Titles" (PDF). World Radio History. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  15. ^ Lippman, John (March 16, 1990). "NBC Sues Sony/Columbia in Video 'Plot'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  16. ^ Fabrikant, Geraldine (May 30, 1991). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS – G.E. Sells Its 50% Stake In Video Unit". The New York Times. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  17. ^ "Entertainment". Los Angeles Times. August 24, 1991. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  18. ^ Sandler, Adam (May 18, 1998). "Col TriStar, Henson ink vid pact". Variety. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  19. ^ "Universal and Columbia TriStar Join for International DVD Distribution". February 28, 1999.
  20. ^ "Sony Pictures Renames Columbia TriStar". Billboard. November 19, 2004. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  21. ^ Kay, Jeremy (April 3, 2008). "Sony to distribute Anchor Bay's library on DVD around the world". ScreenDaily. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  22. ^ Eller, Claudia (May 31, 2006). "MGM Drops Sony as DVD, TV Distributor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  23. ^ Eller, Claudia (October 20, 2006). "MGM Deal a Bold Miscalculation for Sony". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "Sony Home Video Chief Feingold Exits; MGM Vet Steps In". High-Def Digest. September 14, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  25. ^ Fritz, Ben (February 8, 2011). "Sony finalizing distribution and co-financing deal with MGM, including next two 'Bond' films". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011.
  26. ^ Finke, Mike Fleming Jr,Nikki; Jr, Mike Fleming; Finke, Nikki (April 13, 2011). "TOLDJA! MGM Makes Distribution Deal With Sony Pictures That Includes James Bond". Deadline. Retrieved March 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Chitwood, Adam (April 13, 2011). "Sony Pictures Reaches Agreement with MGM to Co-Finance and Distribute BOND 23 and 24". Collider. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
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