Fox, Sony form home entertainment venture in Brazil

The parties will jointly manage marketing, sales and distribution of film, television and library titles across DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms. The initial wave is expected to include The Adventures Of Tintin (pictured), In Time, Alvin And The Chipmunks 3 and We Bought A Zoo.

The pipeline will include local language titles, an area in which both studios have enjoyed success in recent years with the release of Fox’s rom-com franchise Eu Se Fosse Voce as well as Nosso Lar and Sony’s Chico Xavier.

Fox and Sony are betting that the growth of the middle class will fuel a surge in the home entertainment sector, just as it sparked a 30%-plus rise in theatrical box office in both 2009 and the record year of 2010.

It is understood that the home entertainment sector in Brazil has seen double-digit growth over the past year driven by the Blu-ray, although neither Fox nor Sony executives would not comment.

“[Brazil] is a growth market for virtually any consumer product, entertainment or technology company, so bringing these two companies together is an attempt to try to further exploit and accelerate that growth,” said Keith Feldman, president of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment International.

“Brazilian consumers are trading up to a higher standard in home entertainment with the purchase of high definition televisions and Blu-ray players,” said Sony Pictures Home Entertainment svp of international T Paul Miller.

Miller added: “This joint venture is a natural evolution in SPHE’s home entertainment strategy for Brazil since it ensures that our customers continue to have access to high quality, legitimate Blu-ray and DVD content.”

Pugsley will report to a board comprising representative from both studios.