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March 24, 2005
Cosby, Different World to Disc
TV's top-rated program for five seasons in the '80s--The Cosby Show--is coming to DVD on Aug. 2.
Just three weeks after striking a deal with Anchor Bay Entertainment to release Roseanne and 3rd Rock From the Sun on DVD, Carsey-Werner has signed a multi-year deal with a different indie DVD distributor--Ventura Entertainment--to handle the biggest sitcom yet to be scheduled for release on DVD, as well as its spin-off A Different World.
The deal gives Ventura rights to all eight seasons of Cosby and all six of A Different World, the latter of which will debut on DVD in January.
Both series will be released under the Ventura label UrbanWorks Entertainment, a division appealing to urban markets--was a factor in the decision of Carsey-Werner. Carsey-Werner spokesman James Anderson said the company has always looked for the right fit for all its programming, whether it was broadcast networks or syndication.
DVD rights to the company's That '70s Show went to Fox. Other Carsey-Werner series yet to be released on DVD, such as Cybill and Grace Under Fire, could go to any of those three distributors or another one.
Shopping the series around results in stronger ideas for the DVD and ensures that the distributor is on the same page as Carsey-Werner relative to how the DVD will be marketed, he said.
The Emmy-winning Cosby Show and A Different World were the first two hits for C-W, which made it even more important that Carsey-Werner chose the right company to distribute and market the DVDs, co-president and chief operating officer Robert Dubelko said.
Details of plans for bonus features on the series have yet to be determined but Bill Cosby has already provided his input, according to Anderson.
The Cosby Show ran on NBC 1984-92. A Different World, initially starring Cosby co-star Lisa Bonet in 1987 before she left World and returned to Cosby in 1989, starred Jasmine Guy through the end of its run in 1993.
"This agreement highlights Ventura's ongoing commitment to develop key relationships with premiere content partners," said Eric Doctorow, chief operating officer of Ventura Entertainment Enterprises.
UrbanWorks is one of several labels at the 12-year-old Ventura, which provides sales, distribution, marketing and financing services for independent producers and studios in the home entertainment marketplace. Others include youth-oriented extreme programming division StudioWorks Entertainment; Studio Latino; and the cult, specialty film label Ventura Select.
Category : Industry News
Posted by dvd software at March 24, 2005 11:17 PM
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