Weinstein loads up on TV programming
Partners with RHI to produce new content, release catalog on DVD
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 12/11/2006
DEC. 11 | The Weinstein Co. and its disc distributor, Genius Products, have pacted with RHI Entertainment to produce new TV programming as well as release catalog TV content on DVD.
Under the deal’s terms, RHI (formerly known as Hallmark Entertainment) and TWC will co-produce and co-finance series, miniseries and movies of the week over the next five years. RHI will oversee worldwide broadcast rights while Genius will manage worldwide DVD distribution of the forthcoming TV content.
In a separate but related agreement, Genius also has secured North American distribution rights to RHI’s 600-program TV catalog. Genius will manage the physical and distribution rights on each title for five years after each title is released.
NBC’s The Poseidon Adventure, which recently was distributed by Echo Bridge Entertainment on DVD, is one such RHI library title. Other recent RHI highlights include A Christmas Carol: The Musical, The Colt, Earthsea, Frankenstein, Human Trafficking and Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
Genius anticipates the RHI TV product influx will generate 200 to 250 new DVD releases over the next five years, boosting Genius’ library to 1,800 titles. Currently, RHI delivers 40 to 60 TV movies and miniseries annually to various networks.
“The addition of RHI Entertainment’s library of high-quality film and TV product dramatically expands our portfolio of genre films and gives us a very strong position in the expansive TV on DVD market,” said Genius CEO Trevor Drinkwater. RHI co-owners “Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr. have produced a staggering body of work, and we are proud to be associated with them.”
The RHI pact will further feed TWC’s ever expanding content pipeline. In the past several days, TWC said it would soon roll out faith-based theatrical films and DVDs.
“TWC co-founder Bob [Weinstein] and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Halmis and think they are incredibly savvy business people,” TWC co-founder Harvey Weinstein said. “We are excited to start working on the TV programming and look forward to partnering with RHI on many other projects in the future.”
The deal also helps Genius conquer yet another DVD category, TV, after recently inking disc output deals in sports with World Wrestling Entertainment and children’s with Discovery Kids.
“I am very proud of our early track record of strategically expanding our position in the entertainment industry through the introduction of new brands and content provider partnerships across the four verticals of sports, faith/family, lifestyle and independent film product segments,” said Genius chair Stephen K. Bannon.
