CCE In High Definition

Clear Channel Entertainment is entering the concert DVD market. Its television division recently announced it signed an output deal with Ventura Entertainment, which will distribute at least six CCE-produced DVDs this year.

The first title will be released in May. Produced by Trevor Horn, it will focus on ’80s music including Yes, Pet Shop Boys, Seal, The New Frankie Goes to Hollywood and eight other acts. Beyond that, Ventura will advance between $150,000 to $1 million depending on the project; CCE will, in return, produce six shows in high definition video this year and next, and has four “put options” each year for more shows.

“We’ll get every one on television,” CCE-TV Senior VP Steve Sterling told Pollstar. “That’s a big part of our business and a big part of what we want to deliver to artists and their record labels.”

With about 32,000 annual events under the CCE promotional umbrella as well as 89 Clear Channel venues, there’s plenty of events to film. Sterling said the division is just beginning to look at ’05 artist itineraries and talk to artists and managers, so it is too early to name names.

“We are not limiting ourselves to anyone that’s a Clear Channel tour or in a Clear Channel venue,” Sterling said, but added that it’s a lot easier working internally.

“It’s part of what’s going on in Clear Channel, working intra-company,” he said. “There’s a whole new attitude going on that comes right on down from Brian Becker at the top of CCE.”