Sony TV projects move straight to DVD
UPDATE: New division launched to create disc fare
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 8/2/2006
AUG. 2 | Sony Pictures Television has launched a made-for-DVD specialty division, dubbed Culver Entertainment, marking one of the first disc-specific operations originating from a TV studio.
Culver is set to first produce a new Spider-Man series, with 13 episodes slated to bow on DVD beginning in 2007.
The division also will create scripted comedy, drama and other animated series that will generally debut on DVD. This content might later be sold to TV networks, into syndication and to digital outlets.
It’s unlikely that Culver will be able to deliver projects tied to current Sony series, such as Rescue Me or The Shield, as their network homes typically dictate exclusive windows. Re-assembling casts from past Sony hits, such as Seinfeld, for a DVD specific project also could prove difficult.
But it appears that Sony’s TV unit has plenty of ideas up its sleeve. Sources say the studio is circling a new live-action project as a follow-up to its Spider-Man release.
Sony TV production and programming co-presidents Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg will oversee Culver’s project development and creation. The two also will work closely with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Sony’s international TV unit for distribution.
Sony is one of the few major studios not aligned with a TV outlet, so it was natural to expand the unit’s reach by launching this direct-to-DVD specialty arm, according to studio officials.
SPHE already produces and releases a number of DVD premiere films each year, including Steven Seagal movies and, most recently, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
“With the growing demand for original content here and abroad, it’s the perfect time to deliver programs directly to consumers,” Sony TV president Steve Mosko said. Sony TV “has all of the systems in-house to bring in advertisers, develop and execute marketing support and deliver top-shelf programs.”
The Sony TV division should not affect DVD premiere output from other studio units. “It doesn’t mean it lessens our activity in our own direct-to-DVD production,” SPHE president David Bishop said. “It is an additional source. I think it will be a good economic model, where it is reverse feeding to the marketplace. We build the audience [on DVD first] for TV programming, which will later enable TV broadcast distribution around the world.” Sony’s DVD drive follows on the heels of many recent studio efforts to crank up straight-to-disc activities.
DVD premieres are proving they can generate revenue rivaling major studio theatrical disc sales, especially when the titles are off-shoots of established theatrical brands. Universal Studios Home Entertainment sold 1 million copies of American Pie Presents: Band Camp during the title’s April street week.
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s TV off-shoot Family Guy Presents: Stewie Griffin—The Untold Story was crowned the No. 1 2005 DVD premiere title, with $78.2 million in revenue. The studio has since tripled its DVD premiere output in 2006 over last year.
Warner Home Video has launched three DVD premiere initiatives this year.
At this month’s Comic-Con, Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics announced they will be producing 13 DVD premieres, with WHV distributing. Upcoming titles for 2007 and early 2008 include Superman: Doomsday and Justice League: New Frontier.
Warner’s DVD unit also will be distributing new horror label Raw Feed, with Rest Stop from The X-Files executive producer John Shiban set to come first on disc this fourth quarter.
The studio’s DVD and theatrical units also are teaming up to produce and distribute 10 to 15 DVD premieres annually. A sequel to The Dukes of Hazzard kicks things off in 2007.
Paramount Home Entertainment created a new DVD premiere department last year, committed to releasing six to eight films a year. The studio has partnered with MTV to deliver a number of these projects, including a sequel to Save the Last Dance.
