Netflix Gears Up for Multiplatform Launch of Tony Bennett Doc

BEVERLY HILLS, August 13: The online movie rental service
Netflix has secured a number of exclusive distribution deals with public
television station Thirteen/WNET, the retailer Target and Warner Home Video for
the multiplatform launch of a new documentary produced by Clint Eastwood on the
life of Grammy Award-winning recording artist Tony Bennett.

The documentary Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends was produced by Clint Eastwood, in association with
RPM Productions, and edited by Joel Cox (Million Dollar Baby). It was written, directed and co-produced by
veteran producer Bruce Ricker. The documentary was developed under Netflix’s Red
Envelope Entertainment banner, which gives filmmakers a platform to expose less
commercial projects to a broader audience.

The documentary chronicles 15-time Grammy Award-winner Tony
Bennett’s more than 50 years in the music and entertainment industries, against
the backdrop of a changing America. The film features never-before-seen footage
from his performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival and an intimate on-camera
interview conducted by Eastwood that explores the essence of Bennett's
artistry.

Netflix has reached an agreement under which Thirteen/WNET
New York will be the exclusive television partner for the documentary. Tony
Bennett: The Music Never Ends will air as
part of the American Masters series
on PBS on September 12. The documentary will be available to the more than six
million Netflix subscribers for DVD rental and PC-based instant watching on
September 25. On the retail front, Target will share a day-and-date release
with Netflix on September 25, with a six-week window as the exclusive retailer
of the film.

Warner Home Video has acquired the rights to distribute the
film within the U.S. and will release a two-disc special edition on November
13. This collector's edition of the documentary will include an extra 60
minutes of Tony Bennett concert footage from the 2005 Monterey Jazz Festival.
VDI Entertainment has secured the rights to distribute Warner Home Video's
edition of the film in Canada on the same date. Warner Home Video's strong
interest in the film prompted the company to broaden its role in the project
and take exclusive distribution rights for all media outside of North America.

"The film is a coming together of two American
icons—Eastwood and Bennett—and a big leap for Red Envelope
Entertainment," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer and
executive producer on the film. "The production and the unique roll-out
arrangements draw on the relationships and brand strength that Netflix has
developed in the creative and distribution communities."