FremantleMedia Enterprises And Acorn Media Group Forge Home Entertainment Distribution Deal

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced an agreement with Acorn Media Group to handle the home video distribution of more than 30 of FME's classic British mystery and drama titles throughout the US and Canada. The seven-year deal, which has been over a year in the making, encompasses many titles which have never been released on DVD or digital download in North America before.
The agreement includes a vast array of classic British dramas and mysteries, including 'Callan', an espionage drama starring Edward Woodward ('The Equaliser', 'Paradise Postponed', an acclaimed 'Masterpiece Theatre' series adapted by 'Rumpole of the Bailey creator John Mortimer from his own novel; 'Pie in the Sky', a light-hearted detective drama featuring Richard Griffiths ('The History Boys', 'Harry Potter' films) as a policeman-turned-restauranteur who finds it hard to leave his previous career behind him; 'Rivals of Sherlock Holmes', a Victorian-era mystery series featuring early performances by Derek Jacobi, John Thaw and many more of Britain's finest actors; and 'Road from Coorain', an acclaimed adaptation of Jill Ker Conway's beloved memoir seen on 'Masterpiece Theatre'; among many others.
Jeff Siegel, FME Vice Presidnet Home Entertainment, The Americas, who brokered the deal, said: "For years, Acorn Media has proved itself a leader in distributing the best of British television as home entertainment. We are thrilled they'll be bringing so many of our classic mysteries and dramas to market over the next several years."
Don Klees, Vice President of Programming, Acorn Media US, said: "FremantleMedia Enterprises has an incredible library of both current and classic British programming and we are excited to be working with them to bring some of the touchstones of British television to North American home video for the first time. We are also happy to be expanding our partnership with FME after the success of 'Fingersmith' (starring Sally Hawkins) and the recent release of 'Fanny Hill'.
Acorn Media plans to start releasing the first titles from this deal on DVD in Spring 2009.
Further information is available at: www.fremantlemedia.com and www.acornmedia.com.
(KMcA)