Tesco is making its movie debut with a joint venture to make films of books by best-selling authors. The group has joined forces with new media firm Amber Productions to create DVD feature films based on books - the first of which is being produced with legendary author Jackie Collins. Paris Connections - based on a thriller by Ms Collins - is currently being shot on location in France and will be available in Tesco stores in May.

Films under the joint venture will be initially available exclusively as DVDs through Tesco stores, online and through Tesco Direct. Tesco will focus solely on marketing and sales of the films under the partnership and will have no say in the content of the screenplays.

Rob Salter, Tesco’s Entertainment Director said, "This ground-breaking relationship with Amber Entertainment is a significant development for Tesco and the first of its kind for the industry". He added, "Through this partnership we will be able to offer our customers an exclusive window to own a first-run film from a range of well-known authors".

There are three more planned films in the "Connections" series to be produced with Jackie Collins. Other blockbuster authors currently in talks over Tesco releases include Philip Pullman, Judy Blume, Dick & Felix Francis, Karin Slaughter, Jacqueline Wilson and Anne Perry. Ms Collins said, "I love the concept of creating quality DVDs I know my readers will enjoy. It's an innovative idea to partner with Tesco, and gives the consumer something exclusive."

The tie-up with Amber follows recent explorations into the film industry as Tesco seeks to push further into home entertainment. Last year the group struck a deal with the Miramax production company over the 2009 Zac Efron film, Me and Orson Welles, which gave Tesco exclusive DVD sales rights, and in another Christmas deal with Dreamworks, giving it sole rights to sell the animated short film Merry Madagascar, which sold nearly 124,000 copies.

Meanwhile, the This is Money website reports that Tesco has held talks to partner a possible foray into free-to-air internet TV. The report said Tesco is interested in joining the BBC-led Project Canvas as a partner. Britain's five terrestrial channels and phone companies BT and TalkTalk plan to make internet television available on standard sets via a new set-top box. Tesco's precise role is still unclear and the company did not comment.

Tesco - the (private-label) movie!

See the implications for traditional Tesco suppliers and movie stakeholders on KamBlog

NamNews - Monday 25th January 2010

 

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