The No. 1 Name in Home Video Just Got Bigger … Buena Vista Home Video Adds ABC Video and Launches ESPN Home Video

Business Wire, July 9, 1997

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 1997--

BVHV Brings Marketing, Distribution Power

to TV Sports Leader's Video Brand

ESPN's First Deals With NASCAR and CART

-- All-New Video-Exclusive Programming --

The world's No. 1 video company, Buena Vista Home Video (BVHV), Wednesday announced that it will add ABC Video to its organization and launch an all-new ESPN branded video line.

ABC Video and its various lines, including ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, will now have the marketing, distribution and promotional support of BVHV, the recognized video industry leader for nine consecutive years.

ESPN Home Video will launch this fall with newly inked deals with two of the biggest and most prominent organizations in sports -- NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing) and CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams).

ESPN Home Video also will include many facets of ESPN's programming -- from the popular SportsCenter news programs to contemporary and non-traditional programming like the X-Games. ESPN Video will offer the best of ESPN's on-air programs and all-new video-exclusive programs, as well.

``Our vision for the new ABC Video that will now be launched as part of the BVHV family, is to focus on the strong program content that ABC provides and to leverage the powerful ESPN brand, as well as all of the relationships that ESPN carries with major sports organizations,'' said Mitch Koch, General Manager for BVHV, North America.

``By combining the marketing savvy and unique distribution capabilities of BVHV with the reach and brand recognition of ESPN, we will create a powerful sports home video product,'' said Dick Glover, Senior Vice President, ESPN Enterprises.

``Our agreement with ESPN is a natural,'' said George Pyne, Vice President of Licensing and Consumer Products for NASCAR. ``They are a worldwide leader in sports and NASCAR is one of the fastest-growing spectator sports in the world. Add to that growth our fans' continued staunch brand loyalty and that will translate to videos flying off the shelves.''

CONTACT: Golin/Harris Communications

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Marcelle Abraham, 310/487-3061