MUMBAI: Bollywood film distributor Eros International has completed a distribution deal with TitleMatch Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Protocall Technologies.
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The agreement will make a range of Eros new release and catalogue movies available through the TitleMatch DVD On-demand service in the US. |
| According to estimates, sales of Bollywood movies in the US represent $1.5 billion a year market and is expected to grow by 16 per cent annually over the next five years - bringing US sales to over $3 billion.
The category does more business in the US than films from any other country, according to the Internet Movie Database, an organization that tracks box office sales in several countries. Eros US operations CEO Ken Naz says, "TitleMatch offers an intelligent way for us to quickly expand our market presence in the retail channel. The TitleMatch service is unique in its ability to eliminate inventory manufacturing and shipping costs, which can be quite significant." The latest announcement follows a recent deal with Internet retailer Overstock.com and the January unveiling of a DVD on-demand system that uses the Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption, which has been deemed essential by most major Hollywood studios for on-demand production of premium entertainment. TitleMatch entertainment president Syd Dufton said, "Eros commands a significant presence in the international movie industry and their movies represent an enormous revenue opportunity for TitleMatch and our retail partners. Bollywood movies in particular are growing in popularity here in the U.S. and our DVD on-demand service is the perfect way to bring more of these and other popular movies to market. Our shareholders and customers should look forward to more exciting announcements as momentum for our service continues to grow with Hollywood studios and retailers." The TitleMatch DVD On-demand system lets movie studios and retailers burn video content directly in stores and at website distribution centers at the time orders are placed. For online orders, consumers browse and select available titles from an e-tailer‘s website with orders produced at product distribution centers or store locations by using the system‘s TitleMatch Factory. At retail stores, consumers can browse and select available products from multi-media touch-screen display terminals located on the sales floor. Orders are produced behind the counter on the TitleMatch Factory by store personnel in minutes. |
