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Studio Hamburg Distribution & Marketing (SHDM) and ZDF Enterprises (ZDFE) have established a joint venture under the name of "Studio Hamburg Enterprises GmbH" (SHE). The purpose of the company is to purchase the rights for feature films and TV programs and their distribution in particular in the DVD/Blu-ray market. Both companies have a 50 percent share in the new company. In addition, SHE will develop activities in the field of archive material and will market the joint film stock of approximately 1,500 titles, which represents a significant part of ARD and ZDF's contribution to German TV history. DVD releases of titles from the current schedules of both broadcasting groups will also be handled by SHE. ZDFE's wide product portfolio comprises both exclusive new programs from ZDF and a large stock of the company's own licences, acquired from co-productions, distribution mandates and other sources. Thus, for example, the six-part TV version of the best-seller "Verbrechen" ("Crime") by Ferdinand von Schirach will appear on DVD as it is broadcast. Approximately 120-150 new releases are planned every year. The managing directors of the new company are Jens Uwe Welge, already Head of Home Entertainment Home Entertainment and authorised officer of SDHM, and Peter Lang, Head of Merchandising and ZDF shops at ZDFE. The company, which is based in Hamburg and has a branch office in Mainz, has been in full operation since it was legally set up, as it has adopted the organisational structure of SHDM. Alexander Coridaß, President and CEO at ZDFE: "We are looking forward to cooperating with SHDM. We are convinced that we will be able to further strengthen our position in the DVD market, which remains important, by bringing together an experienced, high-profile partner and our own very attractive program catalogue". Peter Thiem, Managing Director of SHDM: "We are delighted by the extension of our collaboration through this partnership. It enables us to strengthen our joint marketing activities relating to archive programs and to acquire attractive material and licences both at home and abroad". |
