I have emails out to several parties regarding this news as the Home Media Magazine article announcing a deal between Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) and the Criterion Collection isn’t entirely clear. Word is, however, Sony and Criterion have reached a multi-year distribution and administrative deal that would have Sony handling “distribution, replication, inventory management, shipping and accounts receivable for Criterion.”
What does this mean? Does this mean a distribution deal for all of Criterion’s upcoming catalog? Does it mean a deal to handle Criterion releases of Sony owned titles? What?
Criterion CEO Jonathan Turell says of the deal, “We’re proud to release many great films from Sony’s library in Criterion and very much look forward to continuing our long relationship. We think they are an ideal partner as we look forward to expanding our direct relationships with our key customers.” This doesn’t really give us too many answers, but does let us know that Sony’s library of titles will begin to find their way increasingly into the collection.
Also quoted is David Bishop, president of SPHE, saying, “This is why SPHE is honored that Criterion has chosen to partner with us to ensure its future legacy by duplicating and efficiently distributing products equal to the high standards it demands.”
This quote could be interpreted as Criterion and Sony reaching a deal to begin working together to simply begin releasing Sony’s catalog titles on Criterion with SPHE handling the distribution while Criterion maintains distribution of everything else. Yet, when I read that line from the opening saying Sony will also be handling accounts receivable for Criterion makes me wonder if it’s something more.
Of course, it could just simply mean Criterion has moved from IMAGE distributing their titles to Sony, nothing more, nothing less. Hopefully someone gets back to me soon, but for now this is a bit of an interesting announcement.
Oh, and in the meantime, Barnes & Noble is having a 50% off Criterion sale, which includes the upcoming Zatoichi collection on Blu-ray for only $112.49, $87 less than it is currently selling for at Amazon.
