"Nick., Sony, Paramount Article"
Nick videos home at Paranmount , June 26th, 1996
By Scott Hettrick
Six months after signing Paramount Home Video to distribute its product internationally (HR 1/18), Nickelodeon Video has pulled back its domestic distribution from Sony Wonder to turn over to its Paramount sister as well.
The deal was considered inevitable because shortly after the five-year deal was reached with Sony Wonder in 1993, Nickelodeon parent Viacom Inc. bought Paramount and sought to move all the properties under one roof, including moving the production of Nickelodeon movies from Fox to Paramount.
Details of the buyout from Sony Wonder -- which was to have rights until 1998 -- were not disclosed, but executives from Sony Wonder and Nickelodeon said it was an amicable and mutually satisfying agreement.
Sony Wonder had success in the United States with the releases of animated TV series such as "Ren & Stimpy" and "Rugrats" but had less luck with live-action Nickelodeon series such as "Pete & Pete," "Clarissa Explains It All" and others.
As a result, Nickelodeon Video & Audio vp Catherine Mullally said that Paramount will mostly focus on Nick Toons animated fare and preschool programming that falls under the Nick Jr. umbrella on the network such as "Allegra's Window." She said no live-action titles are slated for release through 1997.
Paramount executive vp sales and marketing Jack Kanne said the first couple of titles would be released in October from the catalog of titles, all of which Paramount has obtained rights to in the deal. The titles will feature new packaging. New titles will be released next year but the release slate, pricing and volume of titles brought to market has not been determined. An announcement in that regard is expected at the Video Software Dealers Assn. convention next month at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Kanne said that the distribution deal offers unique marketing opportunities since Paramount also handles the video versions of theatrical movies distributed by Paramount Pictures. Paramount will release the first Nickelodeon Movies' picture this summer, "Harriet the Spy."
Mullally said a movie version of "Rugrats" is also in the works for theatrical release in 1998.
"The network is extremely recognizable and successful and this is a very popular brand," said Paramount Pictures worldwide video president Eric Doctorow. "There are synergy opportunities on a worldwide basis."
"Now this is a global relationship," Mullally said. "The line was real successful in the U.K. and Asia (where the network has been introduced), so it made sense to bring everything in-house. There are a lot of efficiencies."
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eric@ezz.u-net.comEric Last, 25/5/97