Home Media Magazine - June 29 - July 5, 2008 - (Page 39)

www.homemediamagazine.com NEWS Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (The Criterion Collection); Katt Williams: Live; Short Circuit and Gabriel Iglesias: Hot and Fluffy. Image reported net revenue of $26 million for the quarter, down 14% from $30.2 million in the same quarter last year. Quarterly digital revenue from Egami Media increased nearly 30% to $535,000 from $412,000. In a call with investors, Image president David Borshell said the writedown signified the maturation of the DVD market as well as the distributor’s strategy to pursue cast-driven theatrical content for better placement on a continually shrinking retail shelf space. “This was not an easy decision,” he said. “But one that we feel allows us to more accurately reflect our current business without compromising future revenue projections.” He said Image is actively pursuing higher profile theatrical content similar to previously released ThinkFilm titles Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Numb and The Air I Breathe, among others. “Shelf space restrictions are a real challenge,” Borshell said. The executive also said the distributor June 24 settled “a litany of disputes” with BTP Holdings and its affiliates (ThinkFilm), which resulted in the termination of mutual lawsuits and outstanding output deals. He said both companies agreed to interim output agreements based on select titles going forward. “It’s great news for Image, shareholders and vendors,” Borshell said. Image reported more than $1.9 million in expenses directly related to BTP. The distributor still has a pending lawsuit against film producer Relativity Media, claiming it has yet to deliver content spelled out in a 2006 distribution agreement. Relativity has recently financially backed such fare as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Inside Man, The Bank Job, 3:10 to Yuma and pending release The Forbidden Kingdom. For the fiscal year, net revenue declined nearly 4% to $95.8 million, from $99.8 million in fiscal 2007. Image executives issued guidance for fiscal-2009 revenue of from $115 million to $125 million. Image Takes Writedown, Settles Dispute With BTP By Erik Gruenwedel SUPPLIER Seeking to turn the page on a tumultuous fiscal year 2008, Image Entertainment is cleaning its financial house. The company reported $10.4 million in accelerated amortization and fair value writedown on its DVD catalog, selected distribution fees and advanced royalties for the fourth quarter (ended March 31). The charge on its 3,500-title catalog contributed to the Chatsworth, Calif.-based distributor posting a net loss of $14.7 million for the quarter, compared to a $3 million loss during the prior-year period. Principal DVD sellers included Jeff Dunham titles Spark of Insanity and Arguing With Myself; Twilight Zone: The Definitive Collection; BRI E FS I BD LIVE A CONSUMER DRAW A study from The NPD Group suggests the new BD Live’s Web-enabled features could be a lure for consumers. A survey found 82% of consumers planning to buy either a Blu-ray Disc player or a PlayStation 3 were interested in such BD Live features as different camera angles (47%), downloading content (41%) and buying products tied to the movie (20%). — Thomas K. Arnold ADVERTISEMENT I ANCHOR BAY UPS TWO Ray Gagnon has been promoted to EVP of worldwide sales for Anchor Bay Entertainment. Gagnon, who has spent more than two decades in home entertainment, joined Anchor Bay in December 2003 as head of domestic sales. Also at Anchor Bay, Brian Daley has been promoted to SVP of worldwide busi— Thomas K. Arnold ness operations. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS DOWN THE RIVER MSRP: $29.95 They have grown up together, but they have grown up differently. Krit is openly gay, his best fiend Win is questioning. One night of passion could change all that. This beautiful tone poem of a movie from Thailand is a must for all gay film sections. Available Now CLASSIFIED SHOWCASE BUSINESS FOR SALE CO M P U T E R S O F T WA R E CO M P U T E R S O F T WA R E USED TAPES & DVDS ATTENTION VIDEO GAME RETAILERS! GET GAMES FOR HALF OFF! Save on your game buys with our video game risk-sharing program. REDUCING YOUR INVENTORY? CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Bring in more games for LESS! GREAT FOR I Independent Retailers I Kiosk Operators I Game Playing Stores FORMATS WE CARRY I Xbox 360 I PS3 I Wii I PS2 I Nintendo DS We Buy VHS, and also DVD & Video Games Kurt Wohlman (714) 338-6749 kwohlman@questex.com www.homemediamagazine.com xtreme deo E 733-7370 (203) Vi June 29–July 5, 2008 Home Media Magazine 39 Toll Free: 1-888-991-GAME (4263) I 1-319-352-4888 I E-Mail: games@digitaldogpound.com http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.rapidrental.com http://www.homemediamagazine.com

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Home Media Magazine - June 29 - July 5, 2008

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