Universal Pictures International Ent., the international home entertainment distribution division of Universal Pictures, announced a global acquisitions deal with Mattel for home entertainment (DVD and download-to-own) rights for the best selling Barbie fantasy animation franchise. In addition, under the terms of the agreement, international television rights will be managed by NBC Universal International Television Distribution.
NBC Universal takes over the U.K. DVD rights and international television distribution rights for the first time with the overall licensing agreement covering all territories worldwide, excluding U.S., Canada and certain other territories. Barbie DVDs are distributed in the U.S. and Canada through Universal Studios Home Ent.
The 10 year agreement will see Universal Pictures International Entertainment distribute all existing Barbie back catalogue product outside of the U.K. and a total of 10 new titles over the next four years throughout all international territories for DVD.
The next new release will be BARBIE AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS, due out in September 2009. This will be the 16th feature length animation movie from the Barbie franchise, which has sold 62 million DVD units worldwide.
