Warner makes a deal for Peanuts
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Snoopy and his gang also could see new life on mobile, Web, VOD platforms
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/2/2007
OCT. 2 | Cowabunga! Warner Home Video has signed a multi-year deal to distribute Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang on DVD and digitally.
The first titles from the pact are deluxe editions of Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown streeting on Jan. 15, and Feb. 26, respectively. The content will be remastered and boast newly created bonus features.
Overall, Warner has exclusive access to 50 classic Peanuts TV specials and series episodes, based on the comic strip, which is read in 2,400 newspapers spanning 75 different countries. Peanuts content was licensed from United Media, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates and Lee Mendelson Film Productions.
The deal also opens the door for new made-for-video Peanuts titles, as well as related short-form content distributed for mobile, Web and VOD platforms. Mendelson/Melendez Productions LLS will be involved in crafting such brand new Peanuts material.
Paramount Home Entertainment has previously distributed a number of Peanuts titles, including A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving in 2000.
“This agreement is a testament to Warner Home Video’s dedication to bringing some of the world’s most foremost and cherished properties to consumers,” said Jeff Brown, Warner senior VP and general manager of TV, family and animation. “We have a tremendous passion for Peanuts and look forward to the opportunity to build this perennial brand by reinvigorating the home video library via product and packaging innovation, potentially creating original content based on Schulz’s work and building digital distribution on new media platforms.”
United Media is hopeful Warner will attract new fans to its Peanuts franchise.
“A perfect match for Peanuts, Warner Bros. has demonstrated to us and the industry its enormous global reach, creative foresight, marketing expertise, as well as its ability to understand classic properties,” said Doug Stern, United Media president and CEO.
