USA Home Entertainment
History[edit]
PolyGram was first involved in videocassettes in 1979 when Spectrum pacted with Thorn EMI Video to market and distribute videocassettes until early 1981. In 1981, after its deal with Thorn EMI expired, PolyGram Records formed PolyGram Video, which was headed by Goetz Kiso, and launched the Spectrum brand with 70 titles in the United Kingdom. It was gradually expanded beyond music with its cartoons, and films, some of them were produced by PolyGram Pictures. In late 1982, the company formed PolyGram Music Video to handle the conceptualization of 10-12 programs.
The company gradually expanded worldwide, becoming an international home video player, along the likes of Virgin, Thorn EMI, VCL, Vestron Video, Media Home Entertainment and Embassy Home Entertainment. In North America, the movie library PolyGram is distributing in other regions is initially distributed by MCA Videocassette (later Vestron Video) and Embassy Home Entertainment, and the music videos distributed by Sony Video Software, while the remaining, including music videos, and the feature Six Weeks, were marketed and distributed by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video. Laserdiscs of music videos were generally handled by Pioneer Artists, and CEDs were generally distributed by RCA SelectaVision.
In 1986, PolyGram and Heron Communications formed the joint venture Channel 5 to market videos in the UK, while the PolyGram Video name continued in other countries. In 1987, after years of licensing titles to other companies in North America, PolyGram Music Video went onto its own, marketing music videos on its label, which was distributed by PolyGram Distribution. In Australia, PolyGram partnered with Hoyts to market-sell through videos in Australia under the Hoyts PolyGram Video name. In 1988, the Spectrum name was revived by Channel 5 as a budget label.
In 1991, the company expanded to market titles beyond music, and the US arm was renamed to PolyGram Video. All the other joint ventures in the UK and Australia with Heron and Hoyts were dissolved and renamed under the PolyGram Video umbrella. The Spectrum line was replaced by the 4 Front Video budget label in the UK. In 1992, PolyGram bought out Vision Video from GE Capital and became a budget label, and the Island Video Arts label were folded. PolyGram's US operations hit big with the release of the animated series X-Men, which became a success. Also that year, the company picked up the rights to NFL Films titles from Media Home Entertainment.
In 1993, it begin distributing titles by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, as well as securing the video rights to Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. In 1994, after losing the rights to Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers to A*Vision Entertainment, PolyGram secured the home video rights to Thunderbirds. Also that year, the company launched Manga Entertainment to handle anime releases.
In 1997, the company expanded to produce DVD releases. In 1998, it secured distribution of NBA's titles, replacing longtime distributor 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and also distributed MLB's titles for the mass market.
In 1999, when PolyGram was sold to Seagram, PolyGram Video was renamed to Universal Studios Home Video, except for North America, where their branch of PolyGram Video was sold to USA Networks, and renamed to USA Home Entertainment. After that, Manga Entertainment was shifted to Palm Pictures. In late 1999, the company picked up distribution of NHL's titles, replacing Fox. Most of PolyGram's titles were shifted to MGM Home Entertainment and Universal Studios Home Video.
Over time, USA gradually lost its sports licenses. In 2001, USA lost the MLB license to QVC and the following year, the licenses for NFL, NHL and NBA to Warner Home Video. In 2002, USA was folded into Universal, following Vivendi's acquisition of USA Networks.
As PolyGram Music Video[edit]
Until May 1991, the label specialized in music titles and was known as PolyGram Music Video. Titles produced by the label that were released in North America prior to 1987 were marketed by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video, which released them under the MusicVision imprint, and are accordingly covered on Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.
1987[edit]
1988[edit]
1989[edit]
1990[edit]
1991[edit]
As PolyGram Video[edit]
After a reorganization that saw more diverse programming (including fitness, comedy, and sports titles), the label changed its name to PolyGram Video; the name change became effective with the June 1991 release lineup.
1991[edit]
1992[edit]
1993[edit]
1994[edit]
1995[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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
800 633 881-3 | Macross Plus Part 1 From Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment |
Japan/USA | 1994 | 40 min | English dubbed version | NR | Academy | 1 | N/A | Color | February 28, 1995 | TBD |
800 633 887-3 | Appleseed From Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment |
Japan/UK | 1988 | 71 min | English dubbed version | NR | Academy | 1 | N/A | Color | February 28, 1995 | TBD |
800 634 797-3 | Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise From Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment |
Japan/USA | 1987 | 124 min | English dubbed version | NR | Matted 1.85 | 1 | N/A | Color | June 20, 1995 | TBD |
800 634 813-3 | Ninja Scroll From Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment |
Japan/USA | 1993 | 94 min | English dubbed version | NR | Academy | 1 | N/A | Color | June 20, 1995 | TBD |
800 636 447-3 | Ninja Scroll From Palm Pictures and Manga Entertainment |
Japan/Spain | 1993 | 94 min | Spanish dubbed version | NR | Academy | 1 | N/A | Color | June 20, 1995 | TBD |
1996[edit]
1997[edit]
1998[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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
440 047 835-3 | The Game | USA | 1997 | 128 min | TBD | R | TBD | 1 | N/A | Color | February 17, 1998 |
|
440 055 457-3 | Barney's Great Adventure: The Movie | USA | 1998 | 76 min | TBD | G | TBD | 1 | N/A | Color | September 1, 1998 |
|
440 055 533-3 | The Land Girls | USA | 1998 | 111 min | TBD | R | TBD | 1 | N/A | Color | November 17, 1998 |
1999[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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
440 058 275-3 | What Dreams May Come | USA | 1998 | 114 min | TBD | PG-13 | TBD | 1 | N/A | Color | March 9, 1999 |
|
As USA Home Entertainment[edit]
1999[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) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
440 061 003-3 | Detour | USA | 1999 | 93 min | TBD | R | TBD | 1 | N/A | Color | October 5, 1999 |
2000[edit]
2001[edit]
2002[edit]
Duplicators[edit]
- Allied Digital Technologies, Clinton, TN
- Allied Digital Technologies, Hauppauge, NY
- Cinram International Inc., Richmond, IN
- West Coast Video Duplicating, Inc., Brisbane, CA