BBC Worldwide buys DVD firm 2entertain

BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the corporation, today took full control of DVD distributor 2entertain.

It paid £17 million to acquire the outstanding 40% of the company owned by collapsed retailer Woolworths.

BBCW, which does not use licence-fee money to fund its activities, already owned 60% and was cleared for the takeover after a legal dispute.

2entertain published DVD and Blu-ray titles for hit BBC shows including Gavin and Stacey, Doctor Who and Top Gear. It also distributes BBC titles in more than 60 countries, selling seven million copies of the natural history series Planet Earth.

John Smith, chief executive of BBC Worldwide, said: "I am pleased that we have finally concluded these negotiations, and have secured the future of 2 entertain."