BBC Studios Home Entertainment
| File:BBC Studios 2021 (Vertical).svg On-screen logo of BBC Studios Home Entertainment (top) Legal logo of BBC Studios Home Entertainment (bottom) | |
| File:2 entertain.svg | |
| BBC Studios Home Entertainment | |
| Formerly | |
| Company type | Private limited company[1] |
| Industry | Video and music publishing |
| Founded | 1980 (BBC Video/DVD) 21 June 1985 (Video Collection International) (As Rushstage Ltd) September 2004 (BBC Studios Home Entertainment) (As 2 Entertain) |
| Founders | BBC Worldwide Woolworths Group |
| Headquarters | London, England, UK[2] |
Key people | Helene Gustavii (Jan 2013–) (CEO) |
| Revenue | Decrease £24 million (2023) |
| Decrease £4 million (2023) | |
| Total assets | Decrease £11 million (2023) |
Number of employees | 1 (2023) |
| Parent | BBC Worldwide (1980–2017) Woolworths Group (2004–2010) BBC Studios (2017–present) |
| Website | shop |
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2 Entertain Video Limited,[1] operating under the name BBC Studios Home Entertainment, is a UK-based publisher of music and video content. It was created in 2004 through the combination of BBC Video and Video Collection International, entities respectively owned by BBC Worldwide and the Woolworths Group.
BBC Video
BBC Video was launched in 1980 as part of BBC Enterprises, which later became BBC Worldwide, with John Ross Barnard appointed as its leader. This occurred during the early days of home video technology adoption.
At its inception, the BBC lacked agreements with British performance unions such as Equity and the Musician's Union (MU), restricting the range of television content it could distribute on home video. Consequently, initial releases on video cassette and laserdisc were limited to programmes without Equity or MU involvement—examples include natural history documentaries—or licensed third-party content like feature films such as High Noon and Deep Purple's inaugural video release of their California Jam concert.
During its early years, BBC Video produced tapes in both VHS and Betamax formats. The company also collaborated with Philips on pioneering Laserdisc projects, including an ornithology-themed disc titled British Garden Birds, narrated by David Attenborough. Released in 1982, this disc featured digital data via Teletext, accessible on compatible television sets. This innovative use of a data channel on a consumer video medium directly influenced the development of the BBC Domesday Project between 1984 and 1986. Since home videos could support stereo soundtracks, BBC Video issued stereophonic versions of several programmes originally broadcast in mono, including The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and coverage of the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer.
The label experienced substantial growth from a turnover of £13 million in 1989 to nearly £39 million by 1994. This expansion was driven by high demand for video editions of popular television and film series, which reduced reliance on repeat broadcasts as home video technology became more widespread.
By 1991, BBC Video had become the leading video label in the UK, surpassing all other companies—including Hollywood studios—in both sales volume and value for pre-recorded videotapes.
Video Collection International
In October 1985, "The Video Collection" was introduced as a budget video release series through a collaboration between K-Tel and Braveworld, both subsidiaries of the Prestwich Group based in New Southgate, along with Paddy Toomey. Marketed with the slogan "A video for the price of a blank tape," these titles were distributed nationwide via Woolworths outlets. The labels Braveworld and The Video Collection operated as affiliated brands, with The Video Collection focusing primarily on reissuing classic films and niche television programs.
The following year, 1986, saw The Video Collection secure an exclusive home video distribution agreement with Thames Television, releasing content under the "Thames Video Collection" banner. On 16 July, Karl-Lorimar Home Video, part of Lorimar Television, partnered with The Video Collection to distribute children's, family-oriented, and special interest programming in the UK, including Scholastic-Lorimar Home Video titles. Shortly after, The Video Collection underwent a management buyout and began independent operations under Rushstage Limited, which was later renamed "Future Vision Limited" and then "Video Collection International Limited" in 1987. This independence facilitated rapid growth, establishing the company as a leader in retail video sales from the mid-1980s through to the mid-1990s.
In 1989, VCI introduced the budget label "Cinema Club," entering into a licensing deal with RCA Columbia Pictures International Video to distribute their back catalogue. That same year, ITV franchisee Central Independent Television shifted its exclusive home video distribution to The Video Collection, ending its previous arrangement with Pickwick Video.
By 1991, VCI had signed an agreement with Hat Trick Productions to release their content under a dedicated Hat Trick video label. In May 1993, the subsidiary "Strand VCI plc" was rebranded simply as "VCI plc."
In 1995, the company streamlined its branding by shortening "The Video Collection" to "VCI." In April of that year, VCI acquired a 49% stake in Hat Trick Films, the film division of Hat Trick Productions. This investment included a commitment of £250,000 toward film projects initially, with an additional £450,000 allocated over the following 18 months. The partnership anticipated producing ten projects annually, with £50,000 allocated per script. This arrangement complemented their existing home video distribution agreement. Also in 1995, VCI renewed its home video contract with Thames Television. Meanwhile, Cinema Club transitioned into an independent distributor through a joint venture with Columbia TriStar Home Video.
On 20 January 1996, VCI extended its home video contract with Manchester United for another decade and acquired the club's book and publishing operations for £2.4 million. Later that year in September, VCI made an unsuccessful £300 million bid to purchase Manchester United outright. By year's end, Central Independent Television's contract with VCI expired; Central shifted its releases to its parent company Carlton Communications via Carlton Home Entertainment. Concurrently, VCI assumed retail distribution rights for FilmFour releases; however, FilmFour retained rental rights as VCI focused exclusively on retail distribution.
At the start of 1998, Thames Television opted not to renew its home video deal with VCI and instead began self-distribution through its parent company Pearson Television's division Pearson New Entertainment (later renamed Pearson Television Video). Around this period, VCI expanded its partnership with Channel 4, taking on distribution for Channel 4 Video releases and securing a contract with Feature Film. In March of that year, VCI entered into a five-year joint venture with Granada Media Group, launching the "Granada Video" label. This collaboration added approximately 15,000 hours of programming from GMG-owned ITV franchises—including Granada Television, LWT, Tyne Tees Television, and Yorkshire Television—to VCI’s catalogue; however, GMG’s film division was excluded.
On 8 September 1998, SMG—already holding a 26.1% stake in VCI—made a £31 million offer to acquire the company outright. Shortly after, on 22 September, the Kingfisher Group submitted a higher bid of £46.8 million and ultimately secured ownership by October when SMG sold their shares to Kingfisher. The acquisition was finalized by December at a total cost of £59.3 million.
In January 2000, VCI’s music division MCI (Music Collection International) was rebranded as the Demon Music Group. Later that year on 6 October, VCI exited the literature sector by selling André Deutsch to Carlton Communications, which included literary rights related to Granada Media properties and Manchester United Books.
By July 2001, VCI plc was divested alongside Woolworths into the newly created Woolworths Group. In September of that year, VCI secured a seven-year agreement with longtime collaborator Ragdoll Productions to distribute the revival of Brum on home video—a deal later expanded in November 2002 to include Boohbah for five years.
At May’s end in 2002, the joint venture Cinema Club partnership between VCI and Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment was dissolved. Subsequently, VCI obtained full ownership of the Cinema Club brand and relaunched it as a specialized budget catalogue division. Meanwhile, Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment formed a new joint venture with Universal Pictures UK, creating UCA (Universal Columbia Alliance). In June 2002, VCI sold Disc Distribution to Deluxe Video Services for physical distribution of its products. The following month Woolworths Group announced intentions to divest from VCI.
2 Entertain/BBC Studios Home Entertainment
On 12 July 2004, BBC Worldwide and Woolworths Group revealed a joint venture to establish 2 Entertain (styled as 2 | entertain), merging BBC Worldwide's video publishing division (BBC Video) with Woolworths Group's video, music publishing, and production branch (Video Collection International). Ownership was divided with BBC Worldwide holding 60% and Woolworths Group 40%. Both parties aimed for 2 Entertain to enhance competitiveness against the major studios. The agreement finalized on 27 September, with Video Collection International rebranded as 2 Entertain Video Ltd. in October. Throughout this transitional phase, BBC Worldwide maintained distribution of its releases while 2 Entertain continued using the VCI brand for its products. By June 2005, packaging shifted to the 2 Entertain brand, completing the rebranding by September 2005 when BBC releases were fully integrated. Nevertheless, BBC Worldwide retained exclusive rights for children's, music, and educational content.
The company encompassed four primary sectors: 2 Entertain (full-price video label), Cinema Club (budget video label), Demon Music Group (music label), and Banana Split Productions (production/commercial label). Several home video partnerships previously managed by VCI persisted, including collaborations with HIT Entertainment for Thomas & Friends, Ragdoll Productions for Brum, Boohbah, and Rosie and Jim, as well as a global home video agreement with Manchester United. By year-end, the Granada Media home video contract was not renewed following the Granada and Carlton merger into ITV plc, leading Granada's home entertainment activities to shift to the newly named Granada Ventures division (currently ITV Studios Home Entertainment).
In June 2005, Channel 4 announced it would not extend its home video contract with 2 Entertain, opting instead to distribute content internally under Channel 4 Video (featuring Channel 4 and FilmFour labels). This decision cited concerns that BBC's involvement in 2 Entertain might negatively affect their DVD sales. Subsequently, in August, 2 Entertain entered an agreement with Five to launch a video label branded after the children's programming block Milkshake!.
During 2006, the company broadened its video collaboration with Chapman Entertainment to incorporate Roary the Racing Car, secured a deal with CCI Entertainment for Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, and signed a significant home video agreement with Bristol-based animation studio Aardman Animations.
By September 2008, 2 Entertain acquired home video rights from RDF Rights for titles including Mister Maker and Big Barn Farm. In March 2009, the partnership with Aardman was extended to cover Timmy Time.
Complete Acquisition by BBC Worldwide
On 26 November 2008, BBC Worldwide revealed it was negotiating the purchase of Woolworths Group's 40% share in 2 Entertain. Initially, BBC put forward a £100 million bid; however, after Woolworths entered administration in December, the offer was lowered to £40 million. By July 2009, BBC Worldwide had written off £15 million due to the retailer's collapse and subsequently prevailed in a legal dispute concerning 2 Entertain's rights to BBC content.
In March 2010, BBC Worldwide confirmed it had finalized an agreement to acquire Woolworths Group's remaining 40% stake in 2 Entertain, thereby making the company a wholly owned subsidiary. Following this acquisition, the standalone rights held by BBC Worldwide for children's, music, and educational products were transferred to 2 Entertain.
From May 2012 onwards, the BBC brand was once again exclusively used for BBC broadcast content. Meanwhile, the 2 Entertain label was relegated to non-BBC broadcast material. Eventually, the company adopted the name BBC Studios Home Entertainment, although 2 Entertain remains its official legal name.
In April 2022, BBC Studios Home Entertainment (and thus 2 Entertain) entered into a distribution agreement with UK-based Spirit Entertainment to handle its physical catalogue within the United Kingdom. This followed the expiration of their previous arrangement with Sony DADC and marked a return to collaboration with Spirit Entertainment, who had partnered with the BBC back in 2011.
BBC Video
In the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, distribution of BBC Video releases was managed by CBS/Fox Video. This partnership concluded at the end of June 2000 when both companies opted not to renew their contract. Subsequently, on 28 June 2000, BBC Worldwide announced a new distribution alliance with Warner Home Video, effective from 1 July 2000. An exception was Walking with Dinosaurs, which transitioned from CBS/Fox to Warner on 1 September 2000. In December 2006, 2 Entertain—then responsible for most UK releases of BBC content—renewed its US distribution agreement with Warner Home Video for BBC programming.
In Australia and New Zealand, BBC Worldwide initially partnered with PolyGram Video before establishing a longstanding collaboration starting in 1996 with both ABC Commercial and Roadshow Entertainment. This partnership saw multiple renewals, including a four-year extension confirmed in September 2008. On 30 April 2012, BBC Worldwide secured a five-year exclusive distribution deal with Roadshow Entertainment for these territories beginning on 1 July. After this contract expired, distribution responsibilities transitioned to Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Following the conclusion of that arrangement, distribution shifted to Madman Entertainment as of September 2023.
In March 2007, BBC Worldwide inked an agreement with En Pantalla for distributing its factual programming across Latin America and Brazil.
Europe
During the mid to late 1980s, the Video Collection brand was briefly active across European markets. In France, it operated under the name Vidéo Collection France, while in Spain, it was known as Vídeo Colección S.A.
North America
In 1989, VCI established a North American branch named Strand VCI Entertainment, which managed distribution within the region. This subsidiary secured North American rights to various titles, including Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends, the ABC Kidtime video series, the 1989 The Jungle Book anime series, and programming from ITN. Additionally, Strand VCI released music videos on VHS, such as Queen's "We Will Rock You" live performance. In 1992, the company rebranded itself as Strand Home Video.
By March 1993, Strand extended its exclusive distribution agreement with Quality Family Entertainment for Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends home video releases in North America through 1999. They also entered into a distribution partnership with British firm Abbey Home Entertainment, enabling the release of titles like Bump's First Video in the North American market.
In December 1993, VCI plc withdrew from North America by selling Strand Home Video to the Handleman Company. Subsequently, Strand was integrated into Handleman’s Video Treasures division.
For a short time in 1994, Strand issued audio cassette products under the "Strand Music" label. Similar to their VHS offerings, physical distribution responsibilities were managed by Video Treasures.
Operations
| Year | United Kingdom | United States & Canada | Other Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | £35,132,000 | ||
| 1996 | Decrease£29,958,000 | £8,202,000 | £1,578,000 |
| 1997 | Decrease£28,181,000 | Increase£19,430,000 | Decrease£829,000 |
| 1998 | Decrease£26,738,000 | Decrease£2,222,000 | Decrease-115,000 |
| 1999 | Increase£36,044,000 | Decrease£1,468,000 | Increase£584,000 |
| 2000 | Increase£40,666,000 | Decrease£1,271,000 | Decrease£154,000 |
| 2001 | Decrease£37,943,000 | Decrease£764,000 | Increase£311,000 |
| 2002 | Increase£50,558,000 | Decrease£109,000 | Decrease£193,000 |
| 2003 | Increase£65,803,000 | Increase£1,126,000 | Decrease£92,000 |
| 2004 | [4] | ||
| 2005 | Increase£118,007,000 | Increase£2,526,000 | Increase£7,726,000 |
| 2006 | Increase£128,050,000 | Increase£26,295,000 | Increase£11,719,000 |
| 2007 | Decrease£124,817,000 | Increase£30,200,000 | Increase£14,200,000 |
| 2008 | Decrease£112,123,000 | Increase£97,573,000 | Increase£15,600,000 |
| 2009 | Increase£115,746,000 | Decrease£74,763,000 | Increase£20,193,000 |
| 2010 | Increase£124,870,000 | Decrease£63,100,000 | Increase£26,500,000 |
| 2011 | Decrease£104,522,000 | Decrease£64,328,000 | Decrease£19,012,000 |
| 2012 | Decrease£97,118,000 | Decrease£41,067,000 | Increase£19,198,000 |
| Year | United Kingdom | United States & Canada | Other Regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Decrease£69.196 million | Decrease£41.245 million | Decrease£16.060 million |
| 2014 | Decrease£55.048 million | Decrease£37.233 million | Decrease£14.098 million |
| 2015 | Decrease£38.961 million | Decrease£33.625 million | Increase£14.193 million |
| 2016 | Decrease£32.199 million | Decrease£24.280 million | Decrease£8.287 million |
| 2017 | Decrease£26.062 million | Decrease£22.175 million | Decrease£4.464 million |
| 2018 | Decrease£22.001 million | Increase£22.490 million | Decrease£4.162 million |
| 2019 | Decrease£18.593 million | Decrease£16.563 million | Decrease£1.622 million |
| 2020 | Decrease£13.935 million | Decrease£9.789 million | Increase£2.157 million |
| 2021 | Decrease£13.703 million | Decrease£8.836 million | Decrease£1.717 million |
References
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- ↑ No accounts filed in 2004 likely due to BBC Studios acquiring 2 Entertain.
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- 1980 establishments in the United Kingdom
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- Entertainment companies established in 1980
- Mass media companies established in 1980
- F. W. Woolworth Company
- Home video distributors
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