Becker Film Group, one of Australia’s leading independent distributors, has struck a home entertainment partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
The deal covers physical disc and digital sales (EST and VoD) of back catalog and current titles and takes effect from Oct. 1. The first title to be carried by Fox under the deal will be “5 Flights Up,” which is currently playing in Australian theaters.
The move is a further sign of change and industrial consolidation in the Australian and New Zealand home entertainment sector. Also from Oct. 1, another veteran Australian indie Transmission Films will see its video interests handled by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
The Australian video and DVD scene is contracting slowly under the twin influences of piracy and growing availability of movies on online platforms, though last year it still remained larger than theatrical box office.
According to a report published late last year by IBIS World’s Motion Picture and Video Distribution Australian home entertainment revenues were predicted to fall by 3.6% to A$1.8 billion (US$1.29 billion) in 2014-15.The market researcher forecast that revenues would continue to drop by 2.5% per year to A$1.6 billion (US$1.14 billion) in 2019-20.
“Through this partnership [Becker] will deliver quality film product to complement the Fox product portfolio,” said Flavio Paoli, MD of TCFHE. Catalog titles to be released soon under the new deal include “Margin Call,” “Diana” and “The Last Station.”
