Relativity Media announced Thursday that it will launch a Television Sales and Digital Distribution unit, led by David Spiegelman.
Spiegelman joined the company in the Fall of 2010 to head up the company's television sales unit. He had previously served a similar role at New Line.
He is tasked with licensing Relativity releases such as "Limitless" and "Take Me Home Tonight" across digital and video-on-demand platforms, as well as networks such as Turner Networks, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Syfy, G4, MTV, Logo and Telemundo.
"Relativity is a company that holds strong beliefs in the future of digital distribution, as evidenced by its innovative Netflix output deal, and is committed to being on the cutting-edge of digital distribution and leading the charge in this fast-moving arena,” Spiegelman said in a statement.
It is another step in Relativity's ongoing efforts to run with the major studios. The studio has been busy forging pacts throughout much of the past year with the likes of Netflix and taking over parts of Overture, in order to reposition itself as not only a financing company, but also a full service distributor.
Full release below:
Michael Joe, President of Relativity Media, announced today that its newly launched Television Sales and Digital Distribution unit, led by David Spiegelman, President, Domestic Television and Digital Distribution and his team, have successfully negotiated contracts across the entire digital and video-on-demand platforms throughout the United States, and are licensing many of Relativity’s 2010/2011 single picture and third party releases to the free television network marketplace.
Spiegelman joined the company in the Fall 2010 and populated his nascent department with seasoned television executives including Christine Manna, Senior Vice President, On Demand Licensing and Brendan Kelly, Senior Vice President, Television Business Administration.
In the world of EST & VOD, Relativity’s TV Sales and Distribution team brokered long-term distribution output deals with all major digital, and cable & satellite providers. Skyline was the first title released to the EST/VOD platform.
On the free television network front, Spiegelman and his team are licensing Relativity’s films including Limitless, Take Me Home Tonight, Skyline, Season of the Witch, The Warrior’s Way, I Love You Phillip Morris and Shark Night 3D across a wide variety of networks including: Turner Networks, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Syfy, G4, MTV, Logo, and Telemundo.
Said Joe, “Relativity continues to fortify its infrastructure as a fully-integrated studio by adding Television Sales and Digital Distribution to its repertoire. David Spiegelman brings a wealth of experience and expertise in this arena, and has impressively launched this division while closing key deals with networks and providers in a short amount of time.”
