Becker Group

Becker Group was an Australian independent entertainment company best known for film and television distribution, production-related activities, cinema exhibition, and associated media businesses. It began in 1965 as R. A. Becker & Co., founded by Russell Becker. The company developed as a family-led business, with Russell's son Richard Becker becoming a central figure in its expansion and later managing the group. The business broadened beyond its original distribution activities during the 1970s. In 1976, Richard Becker took over the Australian unit of Fremantle International, and in 1977 the group moved into television production. During the 1980s, the organization developed a more diversified structure. PRO Films was established to produce films in the Los Angeles area, while REP Distribution—short for Richard Entertainment Partners—handled local Australian distribution. These activities reflected the company's effort to participate in multiple stages of the entertainment supply chain rather than operate only as a conventional distributor. In 1995, the assets of the group's Australian entertainment subsidiaries were combined into Becker Entertainment. The group subsequently expanded its presence in cinema and media through interests or operations associated with Dendy Films, Dendy Cinemas, Moonlight Cinemas, and OnSite Broadcasting. In 2002, Becker took over Dendy Films. The resulting Dendy/Becker identity combined the businesses commercially, although the two operations continued to function separately. The group also maintained offices or activities in several international markets, including New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, and London. A leadership transition preceded the company's sale. In April 2006, Richard Becker announced that he would step down as managing director. Tim Keens, then the company's chief operating officer and finance director, was designated to become managing director on 1 July 2007. In June 2007, Becker Group was sold to Prime Television. Around the same period, the Dendy cinema chain was sold to Icon Film Distribution. These transactions marked the end of Becker Group as an independent entertainment group under its established corporate identity. The Becker name later reappeared in related ventures. In 2008, Richard Becker established Becker Film Group, a separate film company of which he became managing director. In 2018, after deciding to put Becker Film Group to one side, Richard Becker joined with Robert Slaviero, formerly chief executive of Hoyts Distribution, to establish R & R Films. Registered as R & R Films Pty Ltd in April 2018, the venture focused on Australian film distribution and consultancy. Its activities included cinema releases such as Black Water: Abyss, H Is for Happiness, and The Wishmas Tree, as well as DVD and digital distribution for titles including Angel of Mine. R & R Films is a later venture associated with Richard Becker, not a continuation of the original Becker Group corporate entity.

Becker Group was established in Australia in 1965 by Russell Becker under the name R. A. Becker & Co. It grew from an independent distribution business into a broader entertainment group. Richard Becker, Russell's son, took over the Australian unit of Fremantle International in 1976 and expanded the company's activities into television production the following year. The group diversified further in 1987 through PRO Films, a film-production subsidiary operating in the Los Angeles area, and REP Distribution, a local Australian distribution business whose name referred to Richard Entertainment Partners. In 1995, the Australian entertainment subsidiaries were brought together as Becker Entertainment. The group later developed or owned interests in several media and exhibition businesses, including OnSite Broadcasting, Moonlight Cinemas, and Dendy Cinemas. Becker acquired Dendy Films in 2002. The combined commercial identity became Dendy/Becker, although the businesses continued to operate independently. By this period, the group had offices or operations in New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, and London, alongside its Australian base. Richard Becker announced in 2006 that he would leave the managing-director position. Tim Keens, who had served as chief operating officer and finance director, was scheduled to succeed him on 1 July 2007. In June 2007, Prime Television acquired Becker Group. The Dendy cinema chain was sold to Icon Film Distribution around the same time. These transactions effectively ended Becker Group's independent corporate history. The Becker name continued in later ventures led by Richard Becker. He founded Becker Film Group in 2008. In 2018, he and former Hoyts Distribution chief executive Robert Slaviero established R & R Films, a distribution and consultancy company focused on Australian cinema releases and physical and digital media. Although these ventures were connected through Richard Becker's career and the Becker name, they were separate from the original Becker Group.

• 2007

  Sale to Prime Television

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Prime Television acquires Becker Group; the Dendy cinema chain is also sold to Icon Film Distribution around this time.

• 2002

  Dendy Films takeover

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Becker Group takes over Dendy Films and adopts the Dendy/Becker commercial identity.

• 1995

  Becker Entertainment is formed

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Australian entertainment subsidiaries are consolidated under the Becker Entertainment name.

• 1987

  PRO Films and REP Distribution are formed

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group creates separate production and Australian distribution operations.

• 1977

  Television production expansion

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group expands into television production.

• 1976

  Richard Becker takes over the Australian Fremantle International unit

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Richard Becker assumes responsibility for the Australian unit and becomes central to the group's subsequent expansion.

• 1965

  R. A. Becker & Co. is founded

  [1]Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Russell Becker establishes the Australian independent film and television distribution company that later becomes Becker Group.

An independent, vertically diversified Australian entertainment group combining film and television distribution with production, cinema exhibition, outdoor cinema, and related media operations.

• Theatrical and home entertainment distribution · 1965

  Film distribution

  Film distribution was Becker Group's core activity. Through its Australian operations and related businesses, the group handled the local distribution of films and developed a broader entertainment network spanning cinema, television, and later physical-media activities.

• Television · 1977

  Television production and distribution

  The company expanded into television production in 1977 after Richard Becker took over the Australian Fremantle International unit. This broadened the group beyond film distribution and formed part of its strategy of participating in multiple entertainment formats.

• Film distribution · 2002

  Dendy Films

  Dendy Films became part of Becker's portfolio after the 2002 takeover. It continued to operate separately while also being associated with the Dendy/Becker identity.

• Cinema exhibition

  Dendy Cinemas

  Dendy Cinemas formed part of Becker Group's exhibition interests. The cinema chain was sold to Icon Film Distribution around the time Becker Group was sold to Prime Television in 2007.

• Outdoor cinema

  Moonlight Cinemas

  Moonlight Cinemas was one of the group's associated exhibition businesses, extending its activities into outdoor film screening and seasonal cinema operations.

• Broadcasting services

  OnSite Broadcasting

  OnSite Broadcasting was among the media businesses owned or operated by the group during its diversified phase.

• 2007

  Sale of Becker Group to Prime TelevisionM&A

  Background

  The group was undergoing a leadership transition, with Richard Becker stepping down and Tim Keens designated as successor.

  Action taken

  Becker Group was sold to Prime Television.

  Aftermath

  The sale ended Becker Group's operation as an independent entertainment company. The Dendy cinema chain was sold separately to Icon Film Distribution around the same period.

  Source

• 2002

  Takeover of Dendy FilmsM&A

  Background

  Becker Group was expanding its film distribution and exhibition presence.

  Action taken

  The group took over Dendy Films and used the Dendy/Becker identity while allowing the two operations to continue separately.

  Aftermath

  Dendy became an important part of the group's distribution and cinema portfolio until its later divestment.

  Source

• 1995

  Consolidation under Becker EntertainmentStrategy

  Background

  The group had accumulated several Australian entertainment subsidiaries and related activities.

  Action taken

  It combined the assets of its Australian entertainment subsidiaries into a single Becker Entertainment unit.

  Aftermath

  The consolidation provided a unified operating identity before the later Dendy acquisition and the group's eventual sale.

  Source

1. 1Becker Groupen.wikipedia.org