New Medium Enterprises, backer of the HD VMD format, announces deals with two major content distributors supplying to the French market – Seven 7 and Metropolitan FilmExport. These partnerships follow the recent endorsement and backing of the European electronics distributor, MCA Technology, a company that has been given exclusive rights to distribute NME products and technology to the French market.

The partnerships means that box office hits and new releases will be available on the HD VMD format with an initial 20 titles from each partner by September 2007 and five titles every month thereafter. The MCA Technology backing will complete NME’s endeavors to gain full access to French consumers by offering them a special launch edition which includes, a HD VMD player along with five free HD VMD movies plus a film catalogue with which consumers can make further orders. The recommended retail price of the bundle box at €299 including VAT.

Since its inception in 1994, Seven 7 has promoted and distributed video and multimedia products. The company's founders, Michel and Mireille Poirier have achieved leading market status by developing and introducing new products to adapt to consumers demands.

Metropolitan FilmExport is an established world-wide motion picture distribution company which includes titles such as the award-winning trilogy Lord of the Rings. The company is ranked the 9th largest distributor in France with a return of €7.5 million entries (4.32% of the market) for 25 feature films released.

CEO of NME, Mahesh Jayanarayan comments "This is more than an engagement, our partnership with Seven 7 and Metropolitan FilmExport is a milestone for the introduction of the HD VMD format in France. This shows European and International leading distributors our success and strong commitment for the content acquisition strategy."

At the forthcoming 2007 Disc-Tech Expo in Mumbai, NME will announce details of their latest venture with a new replication facility, Flora Electronics who would be the first company to adopt the HD VMD format and production line in India. Flora Electronics will be sourcing stampers from an independent mastering house Sun Optical Mastering in Mumbai.

Story filed 18.04.07