Universal Pictures Home Entertainment LLC
FormerlyMCA Videocassette, Inc. (1980–1983)
MCA Videodisc (1981–1983)
MCA Home Video (1983–1990)
MCA/Universal Home Video (1990–1997)
Universal Studios Home Video (1997–2005)
Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2005–2016)
TypeDivision
PredecessorMCA DiscoVision (1978–1981)
CIC Video (1980–1999)
PolyGram Video
USA Home Entertainment
NBC Home Entertainment
Right Entertainment
Golden Book Video
Founded1980 (1980), in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
HeadquartersUniversal City, California, U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsHome video
ParentUniversal Pictures
DivisionsUniversal 1440 Entertainment
SubsidiariesStudio Distribution Services, LLC (joint venture with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Websiteuphe.com

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment LLC[1][2] (formerly Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Video, MCA/Universal Home Video, MCA Home Video, MCA Videodisc, and MCA Videocassette, Inc.) is the home video distribution division of Universal Pictures, an American film studio, owned by NBCUniversal, which is owned by Comcast.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distributor for all of the Universal Pictures film library, the Focus Features film library, most of the 1929–1949 Paramount film library held by EMKA, Ltd., and shows from the NBCUniversal Syndication Studios library (NBC, E!, Syfy, USA Network, Universal Kids, and Oxygen). The division also currently has distribution deals with The Film Arcade, Aviron Pictures, STX Entertainment (save for films from EuropaCorp Films USA, which Lionsgate holds the video rights to[3]), 101 Studios, Open Road Films, Pinnacle Peak Pictures, Picturehouse, Blumhouse Tilt, and Entertainment One (in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, Germany and the United States; until 2023, after which Lionsgate Home Entertainment and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment took over).[4] Distribution is currently handled by Studio Distribution Services, LLC., a joint venture between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

History

The company was founded in 1980 as MCA Videocassette, Inc. with Gene Giaquinto as president of the division. It released 24 films on Betamax and VHS in May 1980, including Jaws, Animal House, and The Deer Hunter as well as classic films such as Dracula, Animal Crackers, and Scarface.[5] Jaws 2 and 1941 were also released that year. Before 1980 Castle Films (known as Universal 8 after 1977) had served as Universal's home film distribution unit. In late 1983, both the Laserdisc sister label MCA Videodisc and the VHS/Beta label MCA Videocassette, Inc. were consolidated into a single entity, MCA Home Video, alternating with the MCA Videocassette, Inc. name until December 1983.

In 1980, it released two '50s 3-D motion pictures, Creature from the Black Lagoon and It Came from Outer Space, in anaglyphic format on Beta and VHS.

In 1986, MCA Home Video had inked a distribution deal with video distributor Kartes Video Communications to re-release older and classic titles on videocassette, with six titles from the Universal catalog.[6] The deal was followed with a similar agreement in 1987. MCA Home Video inked a distribution deal in 1987 with GoodTimes Home Video to re-release several MCA catalog titles for a low price.[7]

In 1986, the company had inked an agreement with Motown Productions, in order to launch a series of four "Motown Video Originals" in an effort to enter the direct-to-video market as "mini-movies" which was budgeted in the mid-six figures, and wanted to be viewed as breakthrough programs by MCA in the anticipated "longform music video" category.[8] Also in the same year, the company formed a partnership with children's book publisher Price Stern Sloan, who already had success with the Wee Sing titles. He made a deal with the company to handle videocassette releases of children's programs, like Mr. Men and The World's Worst Jokes, which were the first two projects offered; the deal was for $100,000. MCA handled worldwide distribution of PSS projects, with the exceptions of Mr. Men and Wee Sing; PSS handled worldwide distribution.[9]

In 1987, MCA Distribution Corp., which normally distributed titles from MCA Home Video and independent home video distributor International Video Entertainment signed an exclusive three-year agreement. It provided that all product produced by IVE, as well as subsidiary label Family Home Entertainment, would be delivered to MCA, which that would only handle distribution for the company, as well as IVE. IVE would continue to control sales and marketing policies and activities, to be in effect by March 1, and an IVE subsidiary Creative Video Services would handle a multi-year agreement with the company. Creative Video Services would supply the company with over 1 million videocassettes a year; the videocassettes were produced by MCA in a year. Initial releases covered by the agreement are a series of titles produced by Carolco Pictures and Scotti Bros. Pictures; MCA would offer to distribute new videocassettes from Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.[10] In that year MCA had restructured its MCA Home Entertainment unit, naming business affairs vice president Sondra Berchin. Berchin would take over the new position as executive president of the MCA Home Entertainment division; she was responsible for giving new titles and responsibilities to Ned Nalle, Louis Feola, and Blair Westlake. The three were previously alumni of various MCA/Universal units, namely Universal Pay Television.[11]

In 1990, with the 75th anniversary of Universal Studios, it became MCA/Universal Home Video and used that name alternating with the MCA Home Video name from 1990 until 1997. In 1997, the company was renamed as Universal Studios Home Video when MCA was reincorporated as Universal Studios, which would later be merged into Vivendi Universal Entertainment in 2000.[2]

After the founding of NBCUniversal in 2004, Universal started releasing DVDs of shows from the newly established NBCUniversal Television Distribution. Before 2004, NBC shows were distributed on DVD by Lions Gate Home Entertainment and A&E Home Video under the label NBC Home Entertainment (formerly NBC Home Video under Trimark). NBC's home entertainment on-screen logo was simply the NBC Enterprises syndication logo.

Universal 1440 Entertainment was formed in 2005 as the production arm of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, then renamed from Universal Studios Home Video.[12]

In 2005, the group was restructured, by the point it had shut down the London-based Universal Pictures Visual Programming in the process, and absorbed Universal Cartoon Studios into the Family Productions unit.[13]

This company was the worldwide video distributor for DreamWorks titles until DreamWorks was sold to Paramount Pictures' parent company, Viacom, in 2006, at which point Paramount took over distribution. After Viacom spun off DreamWorks in 2008, Universal Studios Home Entertainment was planned to resume distributing DreamWorks' movies, but this deal fell through. Until Lionsgate formed their home video division, their releases were distributed by Universal with the exception of Dogma, which was distributed by Columbia TriStar Home Video. In 2007, it was signed on as home video distributor of releases by Summit Entertainment.[14]

In addition to DVDs, Universal was a major supporter of the HD DVD format until Toshiba discontinued the format. Since July 22, 2008, UPHE released Blu-rays and it was the last major Hollywood movie studio to do so. The first three Blu-ray releases to come out in the U.S. were The Mummy, its sequel The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King. Since August 9, 2016, UPHE started releasing Ultra HD Blu-rays.

In 2015, Funimation (now known as Crunchyroll, LLC), formed a multi-year home video distribution deal with UPHE.[15] Two years later, Sony Pictures Television acquired a 95% stake in Funimation, which resulted in Sony Pictures Home Entertainment taking over distribution after the UPHE deal expired.[16]

Starting on June 5, 2018, Universal re-released all of DreamWorks Animation's film library after their deal with 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) ended.

Studio Distribution Services, LLC

On January 14, 2020, Universal and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced that they would partner on a 10-year multinational joint-venture, merging their physical operations in North America. Universal will distribute Warner Bros.' titles in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan; while Warner will distribute Universal's titles in the United Kingdom, Italy and Benelux.[17] On April 7, 2020, the European Commission approved the merger.[18] The company was later named Studio Distribution Services, LLC.[19] Since June 1, 2021,[20][21][22] SDS' logo took the UPHE logo's place on the back covers of the home releases; while there have been several exceptions that had the UPHE logo in place, mainly 4K[23][24] (including steelbooks)[25][26][27][28][29][30][31] and Blu-ray releases.[32][33][34][35][36]

Internationally

On February 28, 1999, Universal signed a multi-year deal with Columbia TriStar Home Video to allow the latter to distribute Universal DVDs outside North America.[37]

In the Netherlands, UPHE used to distribute most DVDs of films released theatrically by Independent Films, although this is now limited to catalog releases, as more recent films are now released through Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and later on, Belga Home Video.

In South Africa, UPHE distributes films on DVD and VHS through Ster-Kinekor Home Entertainment (a division of Primedia) from 1997 to 2005, then it was moved later to Nu Metro Home Entertainment on DVD’s from 2008 to 2013, and was moved to Next Entertainment from 2013 to 2020.

UPHE also distributes StudioCanal titles on home media in France, most of the Republic Pictures library in the UK and most of the Carolco Pictures library in Australia, Latin America, and several European countries (along with other StudioCanal properties) until StudioCanal's global distribution deal with Universal expired in January 2022.[38] In the 1980s until the late 1990s, they also distributed tapes released by Cineplex Odeon in Canada.

UPHE previously distributed its films on video internationally through CIC Video (a division of Cinema International Corporation, later United International Pictures) alongside Paramount Pictures. In Japan, releases from both Universal and Paramount appeared on CIC-Victor Video, Ltd. (a joint venture between CIC Video and JVC) for VHS and on Pioneer LDC, Inc. for Laserdisc. Following Universal's acquisition of PolyGram in 1999, UPHE pulled out of CIC and began distributing its films through PolyGram Video (which had international operations) which was then renamed under the Universal name.

UPHE's international operations are a joint venture with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, a carryover from the PolyGram days,[39] but more often than not, both UPHE and SPHE operate a joint venture in Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia called Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The venture distributes UPHE and SPHE titles on home media in those countries and also licensed anime series and films from the anime library of NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan, the Japanese division of UPHE's sister company, Universal Pictures International Entertainment, formerly known as Pioneer LDC from 1981 to 2003, Geneon Entertainment from 2003 to 2009 and Geneon Universal Entertainment from 2009 to very late 2013, the year they switched to their current name. The name of the joint venture is Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia. Before that, though, NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan had a marketing and distribution division in North America called Geneon USA, which, like UPHE, also distributed home video. At the time, NBCUEJ was known as Geneon Entertainment. Geneon USA shut down in late 2007, and Universal has licensed all of NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan's catalog to other companies rather than directly distributing them themselves. Starting on March 26, 2022, NBCUEJ (through UPHE) distributes and licenses anime series and films.

From 2017 to 2018, Funimation began directly distributing a select number of its titles in Australia and New Zealand through Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Australia. In September 2018, Funimation transferred distribution to Madman Entertainment, with Madman handling distribution and classification within the region.[40][41]

On October 3, 2014, Universal established global headquarters for its home video division in Los Angeles.[2]

At the start of 2015, Paramount Home Entertainment signed a distribution agreement with Universal, whereby the latter will distribute the former's titles overseas, particularly the territories where Paramount holds an office. The deal began on July 1, 2015, in the United Kingdom. Universal will continue distributing Paramount's DVDs and Blu-rays out of the United States and Canada.[42] With the distributor change for Universal's titles in the UK, Paramount Home Entertainment signed a new UK home entertainment distribution deal with StudioCanal UK and Lionsgate UK's Elevation Sales on July 14, 2020 that began in January 2021.[43]

Along with the announcement of the Universal/Warner Bros. NA physical home media joint-venture, Universal announced that they would begin handling home video distribution of Warner Bros. titles in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan in the third quarter of 2020, while Warner Bros. announced that they would begin handling home video distribution of Universal titles in the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the first quarter of 2021.[17] In 2020, SF Studios had inked a distribution deal with Universal to handle titles across the Nordic region.[44]

Universal 1440 Entertainment

Universal 1440 Entertainment
FormerlyUniversal Studios Family Productions (2005–2012)
TypeDivision
IndustryDirect-to-video
Founded2005 (2005) in Los Angeles, California
Headquarters
Universal City, California
,
United States
Area served
United States
Worldwide
ParentUniversal Pictures Home Entertainment

Universal 1440 Entertainment is the direct-to-video entertainment label of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment created in 2005. The entity is a successor to MCA Family Entertainment.

The label does not have the on-screen logo; it uses the 2012-present Universal Pictures logo.

It was originally known as Universal Studios Family Productions and made Universal Cartoon Studios a subsidiary of the company.[13]

Filmography

Year Title Co-production with
January 10, 2012The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption
October 9, 2012Werewolf: The Beast Among Us
January 22, 2013Death Race 3: Inferno
September 24, 2013Curse of Chucky
October 22, 2013Dead in Tombstone
April 1, 2014The Little Rascals Save the Day
August 19, 2014Jarhead 2: Field of Fire
October 28, 2014Beethoven's Treasure Tail
January 13, 2015The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power
April 14, 2015The Man with the Iron Fists 2
June 23, 2015Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle
September 29, 2015Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls
October 6, 2015Tremors 5: Bloodlines
February 2, 2016The Land Before Time XIV: Journey of the BraveUniversal Animation Studios
May 17, 2016Kindergarten Cop 2
June 7, 2016Jarhead 3: The Siege
September 6, 2016Honey 3: Dare to Dance
Hard Target 2
Mostly Ghostly: One Night in Doom House
January 17, 2017Death Race 2050
April 18, 2017Bigger Fatter Liar
June 13, 2017Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire
August 1, 2017Cop and a Half: New Recruit
August 29, 2017Bring It On: Worldwide Cheersmack
September 12, 2017Dead Again in Tombstone
October 3, 2017Cult of Chucky
November 14, 2017All I Want for Christmas Is You
February 6, 2018Woody WoodpeckerUniversal Animation Studios
March 6, 2018Aliens Ate My Homework
April 3, 2018Honey: Rise Up and Dance
May 1, 2018Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell
October 2, 2018Death Race: Beyond Anarchy
Tales from the Hood 2
October 23, 2018Scorpion King: Book of Souls
December 11, 2018Unbroken: Path to Redemption
January 8, 2019The Car: Road to Revenge
January 29, 2019Benchwarmers 2: Breaking BallsRevolution Studios
February 5, 2019Grand-Daddy Day CareRevolution Studios
April 20, 2019How High 2Smith-Garr Productions
Capital Arts Entertainment
May 14, 2019Backdraft 2Imagine Entertainment
September 10, 2019Curious George: Royal Monkey
September 24, 2019Inside Man: Most WantedImagine Entertainment
October 1, 2019Doom: Annihilation
Jarhead: Law of Return
November 5, 2019Undercover Brother 2
January 7, 2020Bulletproof 2
February 4, 2020Dragonheart: Vengeance
August 4, 2020Aliens Stole My Body
September 8, 2020Curious George: Go West, Go Wild
September 13, 2020Wish Upon a Unicorn
September 29, 2020Welcome to Sudden Death
October 6, 2020American Pie Presents: Girls' Rules
Tales from the Hood 3
October 20, 2020Tremors: Shrieker Island
December 8, 2020Bobbleheads: The MovieThreshold Entertainment
April 12, 2021Dinosaur Train: Adventure IslandThe Jim Henson Company
September 30, 2021Curious George: Cape Ahoy
September 27, 2022The MunstersSpookshow International Films
Bring It On: Cheer or Die
October 25, 2022Blade of the 47 RoninScrappy Heart Productions
November 15, 2022R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the DamnedDark Horse Entertainment
November 22, 2022Prancer: A Christmas Tale
July 20, 2023Ready Jet Go!: Space CampWind Dancer Films
Silver Creek Falls Entertainment
August 1, 2023River WildHero Squared Productions
Upcoming Untitled Woody Woodpecker Movie Sequel[45] Universal Animation Studios

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Universal Pictures Home Entertainment LLC". OpenCorporates. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  2. 1 2 3 Lieberman, David (3 October 2014). "Universal Shakes Up Home Entertainment Unit Centralizing Global Leadership In L.A." Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "Lionsgate Secures Home Entertainment Deal With EuropaCorp. | Home Media Magazine". www.homemediamagazine.com. 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  4. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 26, 2019). "Entertainment One And Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Sign Multi-Territory Distribution Agreement".
  5. ↑ Bierbaum, Tom (February 6, 1990). "Mixed Reviews". Daily Variety. p. 78.
  6. ↑ Seideman, Tony (1986-03-15). "Kartes Granted Exclusivity On Paramount, MCA Oldies" (PDF). Billboard. p. 67. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  7. ↑ Stewart, Al (1987-06-20). "Lorimar Drops KLV-TV Promotion" (PDF). Billboard. p. 71. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  8. ↑ "MCA Turns Crank On Made-For Fare With Motown Minis". Variety. 1986-07-02. p. 34.
  9. ↑ Melanson, James (1986-11-19). "Children's Book Publisher Signs MCA Homevid Distribution Deal". Variety. p. 74.
  10. ↑ "MCA To Distribute IVE's Videocassettes". Variety. 1987-02-18. p. 102.
  11. ↑ "MCA Revamps Home Unit; 4 Execs Boosted". Variety. 1987-09-02. p. 47.
  12. ↑ Wolfe, Jennifer (September 10, 2014). "Threshold Signs First Look Deal with Universal's Home Ent Production Unit". Animation World Network. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  13. 1 2 Gallo, Scott Hettrick,Eliza; Hettrick, Scott; Gallo, Eliza (2005-03-07). "U homevid units in family way". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ McNary, Dave (2007-05-18). "Summit, Universal make distrib pact". Variety. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
  15. ↑ "Funimation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Enter Into Multi-Year Distribution Agreement". PR Newswire. June 22, 2015. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Sony and Funimation: What does that mean for you?". August 1, 2017.
  17. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (15 January 2020). "Universal & Warner Bros. Form Home Entertainment Joint Venture". Deadline. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  18. ↑ "European Commission Approves Warner, Universal Home Entertainment Joint Venture – Media Play News".
  19. ↑ Hunt, Bill (April 23, 2021). "BILL'S ON THE LATEST HOME THEATER UNITED PODCAST, PLUS AN APPLE DIGITAL PURCHASE LAWSUIT & WARNER AND UNIVERSAL COMBINE THEIR PHYSICAL MEDIA OPERATIONS". thedigitalbits.com. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  20. ↑ Curious George 5-Movie Collection DVD (Curious George / Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey / Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle / Curious George: Royal Monkey / Curious George: Go West, Go Wild), retrieved 2021-08-10
  21. ↑ Daniel Radcliffe Collection DVD (Jungle / Escape from Pretoria / Beast of Burden), retrieved 2021-08-10
  22. ↑ Boogie Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital HD), retrieved 2021-08-10
  23. ↑ Howard the Duck 4K Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital), retrieved 2021-11-11
  24. ↑ Scott Pilgrim vs. the World 4K Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital HD), retrieved 2021-11-11
  25. ↑ The Thing 4K Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  26. ↑ Rear Window 4K Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  27. ↑ Vertigo 4K Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  28. ↑ Inglourious Basterds 4K Blu-ray (SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  29. ↑ Old 4K Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  30. ↑ Carlito's Way 4K Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  31. ↑ F9: The Fast Saga 4K Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook), retrieved 2021-11-11
  32. ↑ The Woody Woodpecker Screwball Collection Blu-ray, retrieved 2021-11-11
  33. ↑ Beethoven's Christmas Adventure Blu-ray, retrieved 2021-11-11
  34. ↑ How to Train Your Dragon: Holiday Double Feature Blu-ray (Gift of the Night Fury / Homecoming), retrieved 2021-11-11
  35. ↑ Spirit Riding Free: Spirit of Christmas Blu-ray, retrieved 2021-11-11
  36. ↑ Trolls: Holiday Double Feature Blu-ray (Trolls Holiday / Trolls: Holiday in Harmony), retrieved 2021-11-11
  37. ↑ "Universal and Columbia TriStar Join for International DVD Distribution". 28 February 1999.
  38. ↑ "'Terminator 2,' 'Basic Instinct' to Return to Studiocanal Distribution Portfolio as NBCUniversal Deal Ends – Global Bulletin". 13 October 2021.
  39. ↑ http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=59043 Universal Studios Home Video And Columbia Tristar Home Video Join For International DVD Distribution
  40. ↑ Slykura (December 14, 2018). "Some insights". Madboards. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  41. ↑ Slykura (January 7, 2019). "In short, we have a new distribution agreement with Funimation which means that we are their local distributors NOT licensee, but distributor for their products". Madboards. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  42. ↑ Lieberman, David (12 February 2015). "Universal To Distribute Paramount's DVD & Blu-ray Discs Abroad". Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  43. ↑ Rosser, Michael (2020-07-14). "Paramount signs home entertainment deal with UK's Elevation". Screen.
  44. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa (2020-11-16). "SF Studios Signs Distribution Deal With Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
  45. ↑ Slatter, Sean (2021-09-12). "Universal 1440 Entertainment's 'Woody Woodpecker' sequel filming in Victoria". IF Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
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