Entertainment Studios Launches Home Entertainment Division

Entertainment Studios Launches Home Entertainment Division

'The Kid & I,' Just Released on DVD, Marks Studios' First Major Release

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Entertainment Studios (www.es.tv), the largest independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated television shows with a library of more than 3,000 hours of original programming and the largest provider of owned video content on the web, has launched Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment (ESHE). ESHE's first major release, the critically acclaimed comedy "The Kid & I," was just released on DVD.

Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment leverages Entertainment Studios' existing library in the sell-through arena as well as acquires and produces original motion pictures and specialty products with an emphasis on direct-to-DVD, comedy and music concert titles. Setting itself apart from other distributors, Entertainment Studios USES its network of 15 first-run syndicated television programs to promote its home entertainment titles to an audience of approximately 30 million viewers each week.

Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment recently secured a multi-year deal with Starz Home Entertainment, formally Anchor Bay, to provide state-of-the-art Manufacturing Services and Physical Distribution. The Starz Home Entertainment relationship provides ESHE immediate access to do business with all video retailers and their respective vendor codes. It also provides cost efficiency across all areas of business from duplication to vendor management and replenishment.

"Starz Home Entertainment is impressed by Byron Allen, his relationships, his management team, and the tremendous business he has built on the television side," said Starz Home Entertainment's Executive VP & GM, Bill Clark. "We believe he will successfully leverage the audience from his 15 television shows to build a successful DVD division."

Deborah Mitchell, former vice president of marketing at Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc., leads the unit as President of ESHE. Mitchell has been joined by a studio pedigree sales force, all formally from MGM Home Entertainment, that includes: Senior VP of Sales Alan Pollan; Senior VP of Sales Michelle Herrera, who is responsible for managing the Wal-Mart U.S.A. account; VP of Sales Keith Wood, who oversees Mass Merchant, Electronic and Rental retailers; VP of Sales Steve Nurme, who is responsible for select direct account retailers in the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast; and Director, Category Management Ericka Butler, who is responsible for all strategic business planning and development for all accounts with emphasis on Wal-Mart USA.

"The number one goal is to get sales to $300 million. Our partnership with Starz Home Entertainment, our stellar sales and management team, and the marketing muscle of Entertainment Studios television properties, sets Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment apart from others, and gets us well on our way to achieving our goals," said Entertainment Studios Chairman and CEO Byron Allen.

Recently ESHE was chosen over numerous other studios to distribute and market the "The Kid & I," which was just released on DVD. Directed by Penelope Spheeris, "The Kid & I" stars Tom Arnold, who also wrote the film, Eric Gores, Linda Hamilton, Henry Winkler, Joe Mantegna, Shannon Elizabeth, Richard Edson and Brenda Strong.

Arnold portrays Bill Williams, a down-and-out actor who is unexpectedly hired to write a sequel a la "True Lies," the action film that made Arnold famous more than a decade ago. When Bill Williams learns that his co-star is Aaron Roman (Eric Gores), a rich kid with no acting experience, what appeared to be the chance for a major comeback turns into a series of outlandish complications. As they embark on a journey of outrageous misadventures, the unlikely duo discover that it takes more courage to face real life challenges than it does fighting bad guys on the big screen. Although Aaron may be inexperienced in acting, his tenacious spirit, unwavering optimism and unconditional friendship turns out to be an important, enduring gift to Bill.

More About Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment

Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment (ESHE) is becoming one of the premier independent suppliers of DVD, CD and umd(TM) products. With a library of over 3,000 hours of owned content and a growing array of licensed titles, ESHE markets and distributes a collection of films, television programs, concerts and Children's direct-to-video programming. Entertainment Studios Home Entertainment, a division of LA-based Entertainment Studios (www.es.tv), the largest independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated television, is dedicated to releasing outstanding programs and films worldwide.

About Entertainment Studios

Entertainment Studios produces, distributes and sells advertising time for fifteen television programs, making it the largest independent producer and distributor of first run, syndicated programming for broadcast television stations and video content for mobile devices and the World Wide Web. The company's commitment and mission is to provide excellent programming to television audiences, online users and FORTUNE 500 advertising partners. Chairman and CEO Byron Allen founded the company in 1993, which is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York City and Chicago.

Source: Entertainment Studios

CONTACT: Media, Bill Horn of B|W|R Public Relations, +1-310-550-7776,
bhorn@bwr-la.com, for Entertainment Studios

Web site: http://www.es.tv/

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