Image Entertainment Announces The Rollout Of Its International Distribution Strategy

Image Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: DISK), a leading licensee and distributor of DVD programming in North America, today announced the signing of an agreement that will see a number of the Company's exclusively held programs distributed throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland by Direct Video Distribution, Ltd.The subdistribution agreement was made with Image's joint-venture partner Aviva International, LLC, international sales agent for the Company's product, and Direct Video Distribution, Ltd., of Evesham, England, for DVD and videocassette distribution to wholesalers, rack-jobbers, video retailers, schools, libraries, institutions and Internet sales to the United Kingdom and Ireland.The first titles to be released under this new distribution agreement will be ""Eagles: Hell Freezes Over"" and ""Sheryl Crow: Rockin' the Globe Live,"" ""Peter Frampton: Live In Detroit,"" ""The Twilight Zone"" series as well as a wide selection of additional programming to be announced which will be released into the territory throughout the term of the deal.In addition to the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Company is negotiating additional distribution deals in other key territories that will significantly enhance the value of its proprietary programming through worldwide distribution.Martin W. Greenwald, Image's President and CEO, stated, ""The signing of this, our first international distribution agreement, is extremely important in executing our strategy to become a worldwide video supplier. It is satisfying to know that our exclusive DVD product will secure shelf space so early in the United Kingdom's launch of the format.""The U.K. distribution deal is the model for what, I am confident, will be the first of many additional distribution deals for other territories we hope to execute and announce. The distribution of our programming throughout the world, in both broadcast and home video formats, represents the opportunity to expand Image's revenues and leverage our highly successful licensing efforts. It is my intention to seek out every opportunity to expand the worldwide presence of our programming.""Visit Image on-line at: http://www.image-entertainment.com for corporate and marketing information and the latest in DVD, LaserDisc and exclusive VHS releases. Also visit Ken Crane's DVD and LaserDisc Superstore on-line at: http://www.kencranes.com for consumer direct sales.