E1 expands into Australia and New Zealand

Canadian entertainment company E1 Entertainment is expanding its international operations into Australia and New Zealand.

E1 will acquire all rights to films and television content for both territories. It will distribute DVDs through a partnership with Brisbane-based distributor Beyond Home Entertainment.

Patrice Theroux (pictured), president, filmed entertainment for E1, said international expansion is a priority for the firm and that E1 will leverage its activities in new and existing markets to drive expansion in Europe and elsewhere.

Theroux said he expects to replicate the success of E1’s business model of acquiring rights and distributing programming across multiple formats. “We will release DVD titles through Beyond Home Entertainment under the E1 brand, while directing our own sales to international digital outlets and local television networks via E1’s International Television group.”

E1 titles destined for Australia and New Zealand include Incendiary starring Michelle Williams and Ewan McGregor; Sandra Nettelbeck’s Helen, starring Ashley Judd and Goran Visnjic, and Nigel Cole’s $5 A Day with Christopher Walken and Sharon Stone.

Beyond Home distributes wholesale DVD and Blu-ray product to both the retail and rental home entertainment markets. Its key retail clients include Big W, K-Mart, Target, Woolworths, Borders, Toys ‘R’ Us and Blockbuster Video.