Universal, Warner Home Video Extend Russian Distribution Deal

MOSCOW, December 2: Through an
extension of its current agreement, Universal Pictures Russia will continue to
distribute DVDs and launch Blu-ray discs for Warner Bros. and New Line in the
Russian home-entertainment market.

Under the renewed three-year contract,
Universal Pictures Russia will distribute all Warner Bros. DVD product,
beginning with titles such as The Dark
Knight, Yes Man, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
through 2011.

Universal Pictures Russia will also
distribute Warner films in the next-generation HD format, with 19 Blu-ray
releases planned for the next two months alone, including 300, Beowulf, Speed Racer, I Am Legend and Get Smart.

Eddie Cunningham, the president of
Universal Pictures International Entertainment, said, "We are delighted to
extend our incredibly successful partnership with Warner Bros. in Russia, which
is such an exciting growth market."

"Our partnership with Universal in
Russia reaffirms our commitment to this growing home-entertainment
market," added Philippe Cardon, the president of international for Warner
Home Video. "We look forward to working together to bring more of our
exciting movies and TV shows to Russian consumers."

—By Kristin Brzoznowski