TWC, Genius sign up for Sesame Workshop

UPDATE: Companies to distribute brand's 100-plus children titles, work on productions

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 2/20/2007

FEB. 20 | The Weinstein Co. and its distributor Genius Products have signed a long-term output and co-production pact with Sesame Workshop.

Under the deal’s terms, Genius will oversee North American DVD rights to Sesame Workshop’s 100-plus titles, including many revolving around legendary Sesame Street TV programming. Other titles are Sesame Beginnings, Elmo’s World and Pinky Dinky Doo.

The companies also are expected to work together on upcoming productions, but officials did not provide details on these future collaborations.

For about the last ten years, Sony BMG-owned Sony Wonder distributed Sesame Workshop DVDs.

Sesame Workshop was not intending to leave Sony Wonder but was forced to find new distribution after Sony Wonder said it was reducing its operations. Jim Wilson, executive VP and general manager for Sony Wonder, has exited the company in recent weeks. Sony BMG spokesman John McKay declined comment on Sony Wonder developments.

“They officially notified us in late 2006 that they had strategically decided to exit the kids home entertainment business,” said Scott Chambers, VP of publishing, home video and audio for Sesame Workshop. “It was surprising … but we reacted and found ourselves in a great position.”

Sesame Workshop is looking forward to its new Genius home, staffed by a number of former major studio executives including, CEO Trevor Drinkwater and executive VPs Christine Martinez and Mike Radiloff, all last with Warner Home Video.

“Genius is a relative new kid on the block, but they have amazing staff members,” said Chambers. “We aligned ourselves with them based primarily on the belief that they can do a great job doing Sesame Worshop.”

Sesame hopes to first release a Sesame Beginnings title through Genius this April. That will likely be followed by four additional DVDs through 2007.

TWC and Genius have been on a content tear of late from Sony Wonder. In recent months, the companies also gained DVD rights to former Sony Wonder-holdings World Wrestling Entertainment and Classic Media (Lassie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer).

Also, Sesame Workshop cements Genius as a large DVD distributor of family content, complementing its Baby Genius line and Discovery Kids programming.

TV and music specialist Shout! Factory continues to distribute discs through Sony Wonder.

“Genius Products’ experienced management team, robust infrastructure and marketing expertise will ensure that we help children reach their highest potential,” said Gary E. Knell, Sesame Workshop CEO. “And we believe by working with the multi-talented team The Weinstein Co. on properties and future productions, we will continue to deliver the leading children’s educational and entertaining content in the industry.”

TWC and Genius believe Sesame Workshop immediately raises the profile of their family entertainment offerings.

“I consider this to be one of the most important acquisitions I’ve ever been involved with both on an artistic and commercial level,” TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said. “Children’s Television Workshop and Sesame Workshop have been major fixtures in homes since it first premiered in 1969 and is one of the most highly regarded and well-known brands existing today. I told Joan Ganz Cooney, one of the founders of CTW, that if I had to wear a Big Bird suit to close this deal, I would. I am extremely proud to be partnering with the unbelievably talented team at CTW and Sesame Workshop and look forward to collaborating with them both on their current properties and future productions.”

Genius CEO Trevor Drinkwater added, “By adding award-winning Sesame Street and Pinky Dinky Doo to our current offering of children’s entertainment, we now have one of the world’s leading portfolios of contemporary, classic and new children’s product.”