Communications and Entertainment Limited

Communications and Entertainment Limited

Company type	Public company
Industry	Home video distribution, Entertainment
Predecessor	Publishing and Broadcasting Video (PBV)
Founded	1980
Founder	Kerry Packer
Defunct	1999
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Home video distribution, film production and distribution (via Starscreen)

Communications and Entertainment Limited (CEL) was an Australian distributor specializing in home video during the 1980s. It originally operated under the name Publishing and Broadcasting Video, functioning as a division of Publishing & Broadcasting Limited.

History

Established in 1980 by Kerry Packer as Star Video, a subsidiary of Publishing & Broadcasting Limited, the company initially focused on selling films via videocassette. It expanded into the rental sector by September 1981, growing its portfolio through partnerships with Inter-Ocean Film Sales and Filmways International. The organization later restructured into Publishing and Broadcasting Video (PBV), incorporating subsidiaries such as Video Channel and The Duplication Center.

In 1982, PBV collaborated with the South Australian Film Corporation to create Australian Video, debuting with the videocassette release of Breaker Morant. That same year, it introduced the children's label Storytime Collection, aimed at audiences from pre-school age up to twelve years old.

The following year, PBV secured an agreement with Muppet Home Video, a subsidiary of Henson Associates, to distribute Muppet titles. It also launched specialized imprints: Playaround Video, dedicated to exploitation and erotica genres, and Star Video Film World Festival, which focused on art house, foreign language, and award-winning films. Additionally, PBV obtained licenses from Embassy Home Entertainment and MGM/UA Home Video, releasing these under newly established labels.

As PBV transitioned into CEL, numerous labels were either phased out or transferred—MGM/UA titles, for example, shifted to Warner Home Video. CEL maintained labels such as Muppet Home Video, Kidspics, and Thames Video, although some Thames releases were distributed via Pickwick Video. The company also handled distribution for RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video prior to entering a joint venture with Hoyts.

In early 1984, Publishing and Broadcasting Limited consolidated its various subsidiaries into Communications and Entertainment Ltd., with Consolidated Press and Holdings Ltd. acquiring a shareholding. That year, CEL forged a partnership with West Germany’s EuroVideo to facilitate distribution within that region. CEL further diversified by launching Starscreen, a film production and distribution agency, while forming a joint venture with Greater Union Film Distributors for theatrical releases; however, it retained rights for home video distribution.

By 1986, CEL reported an 81% increase in sales under its CEL Entertainment Revolution brand and released A Chorus Line in cinemas. On 30 July 1986, after focusing solely on full-priced sales during 1985, CEL re-entered the rental market. In August that year, it expanded into New Zealand by acquiring one production company and purchasing a 30% stake in another studio. In October, Les Smith was appointed head of home entertainment to enhance the catalogue with titles including A Chorus Line.

In 1987, CEL teamed up with the Virgin Group to purchase Sydney’s Rome Theater for $8.3 million as part of a broader $20 million entertainment complex project. The intended Virgin-CEL merger sought to combine Virgin’s global purchasing power with CEL’s distribution capabilities but was ultimately abandoned in May 1987. Later that year, CEL explored potential buyers: while Taft-Hardie Group offered $42 million, Melbourne-based Quatro surpassed this with a $48 million bid in October. Quatro’s acquisition elevated its status within the entertainment industry and enabled expansion of production through its partner Pro-Image Group.

CEL also acquired Sundowner Film and Video Productions Pty Ltd during this period. Although publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange, CEL was delisted in 1989 due to non-payment of fees. The company continued operating until it filed for bankruptcy in 1999.