Bertelsmann Music Group
History[edit]
BMG Video was originally formed in 1987 in Germany by Bertelsmann Music Group via BMG Ariola Miller. The company expanded globally in 1989 in the United States and the United Kingdom. Prior to the start of the US distribution arm, Bertelsmann Music Group had picked up the distribution rights to the MusicVision line from RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video. The company was the distributor for several video lines, like 6 West Home Video.
Although it initially released music-related titles exclusively, it soon began to release titles unrelated to music, particularly after generating four distinct division labels that it would operate alongside its own company: BMG Video, BMG Kidz, 6 West Home Video and BMG Independents. The company's earliest non-music hits include The Mind's Eye, as well as the first volume of Dominion Tank Police. In 1991, it secured a distribution contract with producer Lightyear Entertainment. In Q1 1992, BMG launched a separate kids imprint, BMG Kidz to handle marketing for certain family titles, from different labels, namely joint ventures such as Zoom Express, Rincon Children's Entertainment, Discovery Music. It also had an agreement with Lightyear Entertainment for children's releases, who also distributed product through the regular BMG Video.
In 1994, BMG Kidz added joint ventures with Dualstar Entertainment Group, Dualstar Video and Dualstar Records, to issue videos and CDs starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. In 1995, the label shuttered. Both Lightyear and Dualstar transferred their video contracts to WarnerVision Entertainment. The children's titles were moved under BMG Video, and released Cabbage Patch Kids and The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat.
Lightyear Entertainment would soon transfer to WarnerVision Entertainment in 1995. The company launched a film imprint, BMG Independents in 1995 by Susan Jackson to release certain films for theaters, as well as home video. The company would soon shutter at the end of the 1990s. In 1996, it secured a deal with Overseas Filmgroup to distribute its titles for home video, but BMG soon lost the rights with the launch of its home video arm. The company stopped general entertainment releases in 1999, with distribution of The Firm transferred to Artisan Entertainment
In 2000s, BMG issued DVDs under the BMG Special Products umbrella. The unit primarily on music, but also a few general entertainment releases BMG had the rights to, such as My So-Called Life and Eerie, Indiana. In 2004, BMG merged with Sony Music Entertainment to form Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Bertelsmann AG would soon sell its stake in 2008 back to Sony, and formed BMG Rights Management as a result.
Releases[edit]
1990[edit]
| Catalog number | Title | Country of origin | Original year | Length | Version | MPAA rating | Film format | Tape count | Tape break placement (if applicable) | Color | Released | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72333-80014-3 | The Mind's Eye | USA | 1990 | 40 min | TBD | NR | Academy | 1 | TBD | Color | 1990 |
1992[edit]
| Catalog number | Title | Country of origin | Original year | Length | Version | MPAA rating | Film format | Tape count | Tape break placement (if applicable) | Color | Released | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74041-70740-3 | Princess Scargo and the Birthday Pumpkin | USA | 1992 | 30 min | TBD | NR | Academy | 1 | TBD | Color | 1992 | |
| 74041-70800-3 | Hammerman: Defeated Graffiti | USA | 1991 | 22 min | TBD | NR | Academy | 1 | TBD | Color | Q4 1992 | |
| 74071-70819-1 | Hammerman: Nobody's Perfect | USA | 1991 | 22 min | TBD | NR | Academy | 1 | TBD | Color | Q4 1992 |
1997[edit]
| Catalog number | Title | Country of origin | Original year | Length | Version | MPAA rating | Film format | Tape count | Tape break placement (if applicable) | Color | Released | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72333-80410-3 | Mrs. Dalloway | USA | 1997 | 97 min | TBD | NR | Academy | 1 | TBD | Color | 1997 |