COLOGNE, Germany — CBS Films has inked an all-rights output deal with Herbert Kloiber’s Tele-Munchen Group (TMG) which will give TMG all rights in German-speaking Europe to up to seven CBS Films’ titles a year budgeted between $20 million – $75 million.
The first CBS titles to come under the agreement are the Tom Vaughan-directed drama “Extraordinary Measures,” starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russel; Alan Poul’s romantic comedy “The Back-Up Plan” starring Jennifer Lopez and teen romance “Beastly” directed by Danile Barnz and starring Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens.
“Extraordinary Measures” is set for a Jan. 22 domestic bow, “The Back-Up Plan” will be released April 16 and “Beastly” goes out in North American July 30, 2010. CBS Films will handle distribution in the U.S. via its new marketing/distribution division, headed by ex-Sony Pictures exec Amy Baer.
The TMG deal marks the only territorial agreement outside of North America where a third party will handle distribution, the remainder being covered by CBS Films’ distribution agreement with Sony.
“We have enjoyed a long and successful association with Herbert (Kloiber) and the Tele Muenchen Group for CBS television programming,” said Leslie Moonves, president & CEO, CBS Corporation. “And we are excited to expand that relationship to feature films with this new agreement.”
In Germany, TMG subsidiaries Concorde and Concorde Home Entertainment will handle the theatrical and DVD release of all CBS Films’ titles. All other rights in German-speaking Europe will go through TMG.
Kloiber said the “quality” of CBS Films’ lineup was the deciding factor in the deal and that the agreement would allow TMG to build on its recent successes.
The deal was negotiated by Moonves, Bruce Tobey and Rik Toulon on behalf of CBS Films and Kloiber, Thomas Augsberger, and Philip Loehr on behalf of TMG.
