Universal postpones end of CIC pact

P'gram deal causes co-venture with Par to dissolve

By DON GROVES

Universal is expected to take far longer than the originally stated 90 days to extract itself from CIC Video Intl., its international homevid co-venture with Paramount.

Universal execs now say they plan to exit CIC when the current license expires Nov. 9, after which their product will move to Polygram Video.

"In my personal opinion, there is more likely to be an orderly transition territory by territory over the next 9 to 12 months," says Paul Miller, the CIC Video Intl. president who has the tricky job of managing the company through the split and, he hopes, going forward as a fully Paramount-owned entity.

Miller suggests that the combined distribution of Par and Universal product could continue in some territories for an extended time beyond those dates while U/Polygram builds up its worldwide distribution org.

Miller clearly hopes Paramount will decide to use the existing CIC Video as the backbone for its distrib structure. He's heartened by a Par statement asserting, "For over 18 years, CIC has been one of the major international homevideo distributors and has provided excellent service to Paramount, our filmmakers and our international video customers. CIC has proven itself to be an outstanding organization with highly professional, dedicated and loyal employees, and we expect to be in business with them for a long time to come."

He agrees that managing the overhead for one company rather than sharing it between two is an issue to be faced.

"We have been working with Paramount to identify what would be best for the future," says Miller. "I am sure (Par) will substantially take all the recommendations that we make to them."