Abbey Home Media
{{Short description|Home media distributor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Abbey Home Media Group Limited
| logo = Abbey Home Media.png
| type = Private limited company
| genre = DVD and video distributor
| founder = Ian Miles
Anne Miles
| predecessor = MSD Video
Collins Video
Tempo Video
Abbey Home Entertainment Group Limited
Just Entertainment
| foundation = {{Start date|2002|03|4}}
| defunct = {{Start date|2022|12|13}}
| fate = Dissolved
| location_city = London
| location_country = UK
| products = DVDs
| divisions = Abbey Kids
| subsid = Baby Bright Media Limited
Tolly Music Limited
Abbey Broadcast Communications PLC
Petalcraft Demonstrations Limited
Ashgarden Limited
| homepage = {{URL|https://web.archive.org/web/20200201000000/http://www.abbeyhomemedia.com/|Archived website}}
}}
Abbey Home Media was a British home media distributor that released content aimed at children. It was founded in March 2002, as the successor company to Abbey Home Entertainment (AHE), which was acquired by the Just Group in 2000.
Abbey Home Media released content from outside production companies, and also produced its own franchises, which included Bump the Elephant, Fun Song Factory, Wide-Eye and Baby Bright.
History and predecessors
=Abbey Home Entertainment=
Abbey Home Media's predecessor was Abbey Home Entertainment Group Limited (AHE), founded in 1989 by Ian and Anne Miles. AHE acquired the Tempo Video brand name from WM Collins Video in 1990 and introduced several brands:
- Tempo Kids Club, used for re-releases of older Tempo Video releases which had been distributed by their previous owners, MSD Video and Collins Video.
- Tempo Pre-School, used for releases aimed at very young children. The success of the releases made AHE the only video distributor whose releases were recommended and approved by the Pre-School Learning Alliance.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} The label remained after the Just Entertainment buyout (as a pre-school brand within Just) and was used in the Abbey Home Media era, before it was retired in favour of the regular Abbey Home Media brand in the mid-2000s.
- Abbey Fitness, used for fitness releases.
- Abbey Freetime, used for documentary releases.
- Abbey Music, used for music and concert releases.
A subsidiary called Abbey Broadcast Communications produced original content for AHE on both VHS and audio cassette. This division became dormant in the early 2000s.
In 1995, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment acquired a 75% majority stake in the company. In 1998, the company was in talks to sell the stake back to Ian and Anne Miles and letting AHE trade independently again. In exchange, PolyGram would acquire the rights to distribute all future Fun Song Factory Videos.{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA68 |title=P'Gram Video Making Moves In U.K. Market |date=18 July 1998 }}
In early 2000, AHE was acquired by Just Group PLC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200007040700442726N|title=Investegate |Just Group PLC Announcements | Just Group PLC: Final Results|website=www.investegate.co.uk}} Abbey's 'Tempo Pre-school' label was retained for pre-school products, while 'at school' video and audio products were released under the Just Entertainment label. Abbey itself retained its special focus on the 'pre-school' and 'at school' age groups.{{Cite web|url=http://www.justgroup.com/News/entertainment.html|title=Just Entertainment|date=April 10, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010410185156/http://www.justgroup.com/News/entertainment.html|archive-date=2001-04-10}}
=Just Group PLC=
Just Group PLC was a British holding company that focused on incorporating the creation and development of character concepts, ownership of intellectual property rights, and international licensing and distribution of character and corporate brand merchandise. The company had its shares listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange and was based in the town of Bakewell, Derbyshire, England, with additional offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and Melbourne.
The company operated many subsidiaries:
- Just Licensing – licence holders for Just Group's properties.
- IPP – focused on licensed merchandise and based in the company's Hong Kong offices.
- Monster Innovations Group (MIG) – owned 50% of the "In my Pocket" trademark, which was acquired by Just in 1995.
- Wembley Sportsmaster Limited – acquired by Just in 1998; owned the "Wembley" football brand.
In the late 1990s, the company expanded into the entertainment industry and started producing animated television series. Its first series, Jellabies (also known as Jellikins in several countries), proved sufficiently successful for CITV to commission a second series, which aired in 2000. The company expanded into the toy and print industries by forming Jusco Toys and acquiring book publisher Burghley Publishing, later renamed Just Publishing. Just also signed a deal with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to produce products based on their properties and renew an existing magazine publishing deal.{{cite web | url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/just-group-plc/rns/sub-s--publishing-agreement-with-warner-bros--etc/200003080702388640G/ | title=Investegate |Just Group PLC Announcements | Just Group PLC: Sub's. Publishing Agreement with Warner Bros, etc }}
In 1999, Just Group acquired Pinky & Perky for £500,000, with the intention of producing a new television series and expanding into the North American market.{{cite news|url=https://citywire.com/new-model-adviser/news/just-group-launches-pinky-and-perky/a202590|title=Just Group launches Pinky & Perky|access-date=21 March 2023|work=Citywire|date=31 January 2000|author=Jonathan Share}}{{cite web | url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/articlePrint.aspx?id=200001310701476681E | title=Just Group PLC | Pinky & Perky Launched for a New Generation | InvestEgate }} The company later signed a deal with Carlton Television subsidiary Planet 24 in July 2001 to create a stage show and comedy series oriented at an adult audience and titled Pinky & Perky in Sex 'n' Drugs 'n' Bacon Roll.{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/pinky-perky-transformed-into-adult-comedy/ | title=Pinky & Perky transformed into adult comedy }}
In 1999, the company acquired Abbey Home Entertainment for $2.1 million, with the aim of focusing on the pre-school market. By the end of the year, the company had three shows in development: Wiki's World, set for an autumn 2000 release; One Big Happy Family, set for release in 2001 as a co-production with Jellabies producer Optical Image; and Butt-Ugly Martians, a co-production with Mike Young Productions and DCDC, set for a September 2000 release.{{cite web | url=https://kidscreen.com/1999/12/01/27429-19991201/ | title=Just Group beefs up its kids production }} With the purchase, Just expanded into home video in the United Kingdom and began releasing Abbey's content under their own brand, retaining the Tempo Pre-School label for pre-school content.
In September 2000, Just fully acquired Optical Image for £1.5 million.{{cite web | url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200009261015165267R | title=Investegate |Just Group PLC Announcements | Just Group PLC: Acquisition }} In December, Just Group acquired MediaKey plc for £7.2 million.{{cite web | url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/just-group-plc/rns/placing-open-offer--part-1/200011140709110625U/ | title=Investegate |Just Group PLC Announcements | Just Group PLC: Placing&Open Offer -Part 1 }}
In April 2001 it was confirmed that the company had failed to file accounts for the year. In August that year, the company laid off their CEO Wilf Shorrocks and commercial director Paula Shorrock and issued a shock profit warning. In the same month, the company showcased new projects at MIPCOM, including Wide-Eye, which was pre-sold to the BBC for delivery in autumn 2002, and several television specials.{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/just-entertainment-unveils-new-toons-for-mipcom/ | title=Just Entertainment unveils new toons for MIPCOM }} On October 16, Just closed their head office in Bakewell with the loss of 38 jobs, and was in talks on the sale of some non-core operations. The company also signed a deal with Universal Studios and subsidiary PolyGram Television to help manage Butt-Ugly Martians and allowing Universal to gain exclusive movie, home video (excluding Germany and the United Kingdom) and theme park rights to the property, as well as funding to produce more episodes.{{cite news|url=https://citywire.com/new-model-adviser/news/tuesday-trading-post-it-s-still-butt-ugly-at-just-group/a229918|title=Tuesday Trading Post: it's still Butt Ugly at Just Group|access-date=21 March 2023
|work=Citywire|date=16 October 2001|author=Rodney Hobson}}{{cite news | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/universal-studios-gets-butt-ugly/ | title=Universal Studios gets Butt Ugly | newspaper=C21Media }} In November, the company's shares were suspended, due to lower-than-expected revenue from Butt-Ugly Martians and the failed purchase of MediaKey.
Just Group filed for administration on 9 January 2002{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/butt-ugly-martians-fall-to-earth-as-just-calls-administrators-5362425.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220004646/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/butt-ugly-martians-fall-to-earth-as-just-calls-administrators-5362425.html |archive-date=2019-02-20 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Butt Ugly Martians fall to earth as Just calls administrators|date=January 10, 2002|website=The Independent}}{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/just-group-goes-into-administration/ | title=Just Group goes into administration }} and the shares were delisted from Aim. On 12 June 2002, it was announced that format distributor Target was in talks to acquire and merge with the Just Group.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Debra |date=2002-06-12 |title=Target weds Just like that |url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/news/target-weds-just-like-that-1117868382/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Just Group Merges With Rights Management Company Target |url=https://www.awn.com/news/just-group-merges-rights-management-company-target |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Animation World Network |language=en}} However, nothing came from this after the initial announcement, with the JustAction Group instead putting together a company voluntary arrangement, which allowed the Just Group to exit administration in August 2002, rebranding as Newscreen Media Group PLC.{{Cite web |date=2003-11-30 |title=Butt-Ugly bust-up |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/buttugly-bustup-94103.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The rescue plan eventually collapsed and Newscreen Media Group filed for administration again in 2004.{{Cite web |date=2006-02-05 |title='Butt-Ugly' company Just got a lot uglier |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/buttugly-company-just-got-a-lot-uglier-343207.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The company soon folded, with its assets being shared between its management and newly formed business Think Entertainment PLC.{{cite web | url=https://www.accountancyage.com/2007/05/30/online-abuse-marks-butt-ugly-martians-fallout/ | title=Online abuse marks Butt Ugly Martians fallout | date=30 May 2007 }} The ownership of Jellikins and Butt-Ugly Martians is currently held by the Indian-based YoBoHo New Media Pvt. Ltd., the owners of the HooplaKidz YouTube media network.
=Tempo Video=
Another predecessor of Abbey Home Media was Tempo Video, which was originally launched by video distributor MSD Video in 1987 as a kids-focused video label. After two years, MSD transitioned the distribution of Tempo to Collins Video and then transitioned the label to Abbey Home Entertainment in 1990, a year after the company was founded. Tempo Video was the mainstream video label for Abbey Home Entertainment and continued to be used until 2000, when the label was discontinued by AHE's new owner, Just Group.
The Tempo label was also used within Abbey-distributed audio cassettes, under labels including Tempo Audio, Tempo Twins, Tempo Reed and Tempo Children's Classics.
==Tempo DIC Video==
Tempo DIC Video was a joint venture with animation company DIC Enterprises. The label released DIC Entertainment programmes on VHS.
=Abbey Home Media=
After Just Group filed for administration in 2002, Ian Miles formed a new company under the Abbey name called Abbey Home Media on 4 March 2002,{{Cite web|url=https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/company/04386207-abbey-home-media-group-limited|title=Abbey Home Media Group Limited - Company Profile - Endole|website=suite.endole.co.uk}} re-acquiring former assets once owned by AHE. Abbey Home Media retained the Tempo Pre-School brand that Just Group kept during their ownership of the Abbey brands and would later introduce the Tempo and Tempo TV Classics (previously Tempo Classics) brands. During the 2010s, products were released under the regular Abbey Home Media brand name.
In March 2017, the company signed a deal with DHX Media to release DVDs for Bob the Builder and Fireman Sam.{{cite web | url=https://www.licensingsource.net/abbey-home-media-boosted-by-dhx-media-deal/ | title=Abbey Home Media boosted by DHX Media deal }}
On 4 May 2020 it was confirmed that Anne Miles, the co-founder of Abbey, had died (her husband, Ian, passed away prior to his wife's death),{{Cite web|url=https://www.licensingsource.net/anne-miles-1939-2020/|title=Anne Miles, 1939-2020|accessdate=21 March 2023}} a short while afterward, the company's website was shut down and their Facebook page confirmed that the company had ceased operations due to "uncertain circumstances".{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/abbeyhomemedia/|title=Log in or sign up to view|website=www.facebook.com|accessdate=21 March 2023}} Despite this, the company was still listed as "active" on Companies House until 13 December 2022 when Abbey was officially dissolved.{{Cite web|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04386207|title=ABBEY HOME MEDIA GROUP LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)|website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk}}
Content
=Television Shows=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Title
! Year(s) ! Network ! Co-production with ! Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bump the Elephant | 1990-1994 | BBC1 (Children's BBC) | Queensgate Productions | |
| Teddy Trucks | 1994 | BBC1 (Children's BBC) | ||
| Fun Song Factory | 1998 | ITV (GMTV) | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| MacDonald's Farm | 2000-2001 | ITV (GMTV) | Jo Pullen Programming Ltd. | Under Just Entertainment |
| Wide-Eye | 2003 | CBeebies | King Rollo Films |
=Direct-to-Video Programs=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Title
! Year(s) ! Co-production with ! Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Postman Pat's ABC Story | 1990 | Woodland Animations | |
| Postman Pat's 123 Story | 1990 | Woodland Animations | |
| Tell Me A Story: Volume 1 | 1990 | N/A | |
| Tell Me A Story: Volume 2 | 1990 | N/A | |
| Spot's Alphabet | 1990 | Salspot Ltd. | |
| Spot's Busy Year | 1990 | Salspot Ltd. | |
| Spot Learns to Count | 1990 | Salspot Ltd. | |
| Spot Tells the Time | 1990 | Salspot Ltd. | |
| The Enormous Crocodile | 1990 | N/A | Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name |
| Revolting Rhymes | 1990 | N/A | Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name |
| Dirty Beasts | 1990 | N/A | Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name |
| The Magic Finger | 1990 | N/A | Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name |
| A Golden Treasury of Nursery Rhymes | 1991 | N/A | |
| One, Two, Buckle My Shoe and Other Favourite Rhymes | 1991 | N/A | |
| Anytime Tales - Not Now, Bernard and Other Stories by David McKee | 1991 | King Rollo Films | |
| Anytime Tales - I Want a Cat and Other Stories by Tony Ross | 1991 | King Rollo Films | |
| One, Two, Buckle My Shoe And Other Favourite Rhymes | 1992 | Living Doll | Known as The Wheels on the Bus on DVD |
| Mr Men in the Great Alphabet Hunt | 1992 | Mister Films Ltd. | |
| A Day Full of Songs | 1993 | Music Box | |
| Paddington's Alphabet Treasure Hunt | 1993 | Living Doll | |
| Spot Looks at Colours | 1994 | King Rollo Films | |
| Spot Looks at Shapes | 1994 | King Rollo Films | |
| Spot Looks at Opposites | 1994 | King Rollo Films | |
| Spot's First Words | 1994 | King Rollo Films | |
| A Day Full of Fun | 1994 | Music Box | |
| First Fun with French | 1994 | Osbourne Publishing | |
| First Fun with Spanish | 1994 | Osbourne Publishing | |
| Read Along with Postman Pat | 1994 | Woodland Animations | Contains two stories: "Postman Pat's Sleepy Days" and "Postman Pat's Three Wishes" |
| Fun Song Factory | 1994 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| A Day Full of Surprises and Songs | 1995 | Music Box | |
| A Day Full of Animals and Songs | 1995 | Music Box | |
| Fun Song Factory 2 | 1996 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| The Wonderful World of Nursery Rhymes | 1996 | Jo Pullen Productions Limited | |
| Party Time at the Fun Song Factory | 1996 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| The Happy Birthday Video | 1996 | King Rollo Films | Under PolyGram |
| Bedtime Stories | 1996 | King Rollo Films | Under PolyGram |
| The Fun Song Factory at Old MacDonald's Farm | 1996 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| Christmas at the Fun Song Factory | 1996 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| Fun Song Factory: Fun and Games | 1997 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| Fun Song Factory: Nursery Rhyme Land | 1997 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| Wow! That's What I Call Nursery Rhymes | 1999 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| Baby Bright | 2000 | N/A | |
| Wow! That's What I Call Christmas | 2000 | Tell-Tale Productions | |
| Baby Bright 2 | 2001 | N/A | Under Just Entertainment |
=Other=
- Butt-Ugly Martians
- SuperTed (now owned by Splash Entertainment)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20200201000000/http://www.abbeyhomemedia.com/}} (archived)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20200411214923/https://www.abbeykids.co.uk/ Abbey Kids website] (archived)
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abbey Home Media}}
Category:DVD companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Home video companies established in 2002
Category:Home video companies disestablished in 2022
Category:2002 establishments in England
Category:2022 disestablishments in England
Category:Distribution companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Entertainment companies of the United Kingdom
Category:Home video distributors
Category:Privately held companies based in London