In the past, TV shows that aired on ESPN - such as
Playmakers and
Tilt - would be distributed on DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. And why not? ESPN and BVHE are both ultimately owned by Disney, of course. But ESPN seems to have enough autonomy to go choose another DVD distributer, as yesterday's press release from Genius Products shows that they will be channeling TV-DVDs from ESPN to retailers from now on!
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GENIUS PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES FILING OF 8-K REFLECTING CLOSING OF EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH ESPN HOME ENTERTAINMENT
SANTA MONICA, CA – July 10, 2006 – Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB: GNPI) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with ESPN Enterprises, Inc. ("ESPN") to be the exclusive distributor of ESPN Home Entertainment content in North America. In connection with the signing of the agreement, Genius Products filed with the Securities Exchange Commission a Report on Form 8-K.
The agreement includes home video content from ESPN, including ESPN Original Entertainment titles such as "3," "Four Minutes," "The Junction Boys," "Playmakers," "Through the Fire," "Tilt," and the upcoming "Ali Rap," along with SportsCentury, ESPN Classic, ESPN Outdoors, X Games, ABC Sports, and college sports titles.
Under the terms of the agreement, which extends through December 31, 2011, Genius will distribute a minimum of 15 titles per year. Genius began distributing ESPN titles in June 2006.
For additional information please see
the Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2006.
About Genius Products, Inc.
Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB: GNPI) is a leading independent home-entertainment distribution company that produces, licenses, and distributes an ever-expanding library of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, and family entertainment content through its proprietary Branded Distribution Network of retailers throughout the U.S. Genius handles the distribution and sales for such brands as Baby Genius, NBC News, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, Wellspring, and The Weinstein Company.
About ESPN, Inc.
ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNY, ESPN Today), ESPN and ESPN2 HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360 (Broadband), Mobile ESPN, ESPN on Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Genius Products’ business, forecasts, projections and prospects, and cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated number of releases, timing and financial performance of releases from ESPN Home Entertainment, including, but not limited to titles such as "3," "Four Minutes," "The Junction Boys," "Playmakers," "Through the Fire," and "Tilt," and any other statements relating to new or potential releases that are not historical statements of fact. Actual results could vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, the unpredictability of audience demand, the effect of technological change and the availability of alternative forms of entertainment. Other risks and uncertainties include the matters described in Genius Products’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Genius Products assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
