Universal scoops Entertainment Rights video deal

Universal Pictures Video (UPV) and Right Entertainment, the video arm of UK family distributor Entertainment Rights, have signed an exclusive partnership deal.

Under the deal, UPV will now represent all of Entertainment Rights’ video and DVD output for the next four years with its newly established Right Entertainment label.

The deal kicks off with the autumn release of Barbie in The Nutcracker, the Mattel doll's first ever animated feature film. The feature-length cgi film will be a key release for UPV in the autumn.

Right Entertainment controls some 300 hours of video property including; Basil Brush (BBC), Cubeez (GMTV), Dr Otter (BBC), and the classic Harvey Comic characters Harvey Toons, including Casper The Friendly Ghost.

Also included in the distribution deal are CiTV’s Titch, Friendly Monsters, Katie and Orbie, Gerry Anderson’s Lavender Castle, Beany and Cecil and the Tangerine Bear.

UPV’s portfolio of kids' programming product already includes Maisy, Land Before Time, Fun Song Factory, Robot Wars, Clangers, Bagpuss and Ivor the Engine, along with the animation series The X Men and Beast Wars.

UPV also developed both Barney and the Power Rangers into two of the biggest ever selling kids brands on video.

{Following the recent acquisition and integration of Link into Entertainment Rights, the Right Entertainment video label completes the circle in enabling Entertainment Rights to fully exploit all rights opportunities in all media across the Company’s portfolio,{ said Mike Heap, ceo of Entertainment Rights.