MUMBAI: Warner Home Video (WHV) has signed an agreement with Paramount and DreamWorks Animation to distribute DVDs in China.

WHV will leverage its distribution infrastructure and expertise to provide high quality, studio-authorized copies of these blockbuster films on DVD. DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount’s Transformers and DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek the Third will be the first two new release titles distributed under the new partnerships.

Warner Home Video, executive vice president and general manager, worldwide operations and new packaged media, Mark Horak stated, “The addition of two major Hollywood studios’ product in China – Paramount and DreamWorks Animation – further strengthens our efforts in building a legitimate video business in China. By providing a wide selection of high quality, competitively priced DVDs, we will be offering consumers a more attractive alternative to lower quality, pirated product.”

CAV Warner Home Entertainment, a joint entertainment distribution venture between Warner Home Video and China Audio Video, will use its established relationships with retailers throughout China to distribute select Paramount and DreamWorks Animation titles in more than 50 cities and up to 20,000 outlets. On 1 November the first film distributed under the new agreement, Transformers, hit shelves. The biggest original film of the year during its theatrical release, the DVD has become a top-selling title in China. Shrek the Third will be released on 28 November 28. All titles will be distributed on competitively priced, Mandarin language DVDs.

Paramount Home Entertainment International, President, Dennis Maguire added, “Warner has demonstrated that securing key retail outlets in China is necessary to supplant pirated content with legitimate product to fight piracy in the market. Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation believe that consumers in China deserve to see their films at the best quality and most affordable price. Our relationship with Warner Bros. allows us the best opportunity to reach the most consumers with two of the year’s most highly anticipated releases of Transformers and Shrek the Third.”

Warner Home Video International, president, Philippe Cardon commented, “We are pleased to welcome Paramount and DreamWorks into our growing distribution network in China. This agreement further strengthens our value proposition to readily provide inexpensive, quality DVDs, which appeal to consumers who are used to purchasing cheap pirated products.”