Cannell, Anchor Bay ink deal for DVDs

By Patrick Sauriol     June 10, 2004
Source: IDT Entertainment

DVD distributor Anchor Bay Entertainment announced today that it had brokered a deal with veteran television producer/writer Stephen J. Cannell to market and distribute TV shows from the Cannell library. Among the many action shows that Cannell created are such programs as 21 JUMP STREET, THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, THE COMMISH, THE A-TEAM, HUNTER, RENEGADE and SILK STALKINGS. Overall, more than 1,000 programming hours of material will be available to Anchor Bay for eventual home video release.

What this means is that the door is now open for all of these shows to now appear on Anchor Bay DVD sets, similar to the ones the company is releasing for HERCULES, HIGHLANDER and XENA. The first of the Cannell shows will appear on store shelves sometime this fall, Although the title of the program selected to become the first release is not known, a comment made by one of Anchor Bay's executives may give us an unofficial hint of what it will be.

"Not only do we see a huge market with original Cannell fans, but we also believe programs like 21 JUMP STREET with Johnny Depp will find a receptive audience with a whole new generation of younger viewers," remarked Ted Green, the CEO of Anchor Bay Entertainment.

"I am thrilled to be working with Anchor Bay Entertainment, a company well-known for releasing quality entertainment on DVD," said Stephen J. Cannell of the agreement between the two companies. "Over the years, Anchor Bay has demonstrated what can be accomplished if creativity and care are part of the DVD process. I look forward to a long and creative partnership."


Got a scoop? Know something that you need to tell us about? Send it to us!