Image to distribute ProElite mixed martial arts DVDs

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 4/28/2008

APRIL 28 | Image Entertainment has signed a multi-year output deal with mixed martial arts producer ProElite.

Under the pact, Image will release four titles annually within ProElite’s EliteXC brand and eight titles annually within its ShoXC property.

EliteXC, ProElite’s premiere league, will soon start running as primetime special events on CBS. ShoXC is a co-production with Showtime Networks that features rising MMA talent.

Image’s first ProElite titles, Destiny featuring fighters Frank Shamrock and Renzo Gracie, and Renegade with the debut of Kimbo Slice, bow May 13. Streeting on July 22 will be Huntington Beach Bad Ass with California fighter David “Tank” Abbot.

“There is a growing market for high-quality arena-based mixed martial arts content, and ProElite is the premiere source for this type of sports entertainment,” said Steven DeMille, senior VP of marketing at Image. “We are pleased to add ProElite to our roster of content suppliers as we continue to grow both our distribution channels and scope of programming.”

ProElite home entertainment VP Turi Altavilla added, “With MMA going primetime, we are introducing the sport to a whole new audience that will likely drive demand for MMA events on DVD. Watching these DVDs will be like having front row seats at MMA events.”