Communications and Entertainment Limited
Communications and Entertainment Limited was an Australian home-video, film-distribution, and entertainment company active mainly during the 1980s and 1990s.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Communications and Entertainment Limited (CEL) was an Australian entertainment company whose principal business was the distribution and licensing of films and television programs on videocassette. It emerged from an earlier Publishing & Broadcasting Limited operation originally established as Star Video in 1980. That business was associated with Kerry Packer's Publishing & Broadcasting group and initially concentrated on selling films for the emerging Australian videocassette market. In September 1981, it entered the rental market and began assembling a broader catalogue through agreements with rights holders and distributors including Inter-Ocean Film Sales and Filmways International. The operation was subsequently reorganized as Publishing & Broadcasting Video (PBV). During this phase it developed several labels and related businesses, including Video Channel and The Duplication Center. Its expansion reflected the increasingly segmented home-entertainment market: children’s programming, art and foreign-language cinema, exploitation and erotica, studio product, and mainstream rental and sell-through releases were handled through different imprints or arrangements. In 1982 PBV partnered with the South Australian Film Corporation to establish Australian Video. Breaker Morant became the first title issued through that partnership. PBV also created the Storytime Collection label for preschool and children’s programming. The company broadened its licensing activities in 1983. It entered an arrangement with Muppet Home Video, a Henson Associates subsidiary, for Muppet-related children’s titles, and launched Playaround Video for exploitation and erotica releases. It also introduced Star Video Film World Festival for art films, foreign-language works, award winners, and classics. Agreements involving Embassy Home Entertainment and MGM/UA Home Video added further studio catalogues, although some of those labels and relationships were later discontinued, transferred, or handled through other distributors. In early 1984, PBV and related Publishing & Broadcasting subsidiaries were consolidated into Communications & Entertainment Limited, with Consolidated Press & Holdings Limited taking a stake. Under the CEL name, the company retained or used selected labels including Muppet Home Video, Kidspics, and Thames Video, and also distributed RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video material before a later joint venture involving Hoyts. CEL sought to move beyond videocassette distribution by developing film-production and theatrical-distribution activities. It established Starscreen in 1984 and reached an arrangement with Greater Union Film Distributors under which Greater Union would handle theatrical distribution while CEL controlled home-video rights for Starscreen titles. CEL continued to adjust its market position during the mid-1980s. It moved toward full-price video sales after leaving the rental market in 1985, then announced a return to rental distribution in July 1986. The company promoted the film A Chorus Line as a significant theatrical and home-video release and operated under the CEL Entertainment Revolution banner. It also pursued New Zealand expansion, including the acquisition of a privately owned production house and a minority interest in another New Zealand facility. Les Smith, formerly associated with Cannon Screen Entertainment in the United Kingdom, joined CEL in 1986 to lead its home-entertainment division. By 1987 CEL was seeking strategic and financial partners as competition intensified across theatrical exhibition, television, and home video. It explored a combination with Virgin's entertainment interests, including a proposed acquisition of Sydney's Rome Theatre as part of a larger entertainment-complex plan. The proposed Virgin-CEL merger was abandoned in May 1987. Later that year CEL attracted competing acquisition proposals from Taft-Hardie Group and Quatro. Quatro ultimately won the acquisition contest with a reported offer of A$48 million, replacing Taft-Hardie's reported A$42 million bid. CEL Home Video had also acquired Sundowner Film and Video Productions. CEL was publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange but was delisted in 1989 after failing to pay annual listing fees. The business continued for several more years, but its corporate life ended after it filed for bankruptcy in 1999. The company is therefore best understood as a defunct Australian home-entertainment and media-distribution group rather than a continuing consumer brand.
History
The business began in 1980 as Star Video, an operation established by Kerry Packer within Publishing & Broadcasting Limited. Its initial focus was the sale of films on videocassette, at a time when the Australian market was developing both retail and rental channels. In September 1981 it entered the rental market and negotiated catalogue and distribution arrangements with companies including Inter-Ocean Film Sales and Filmways International. The operation was later reorganized as Publishing & Broadcasting Video. Its structure expanded to include Video Channel and The Duplication Center, while its catalogue strategy became increasingly specialized. In 1982 PBV joined with the South Australian Film Corporation to create Australian Video; Breaker Morant was the first film issued through that partnership. PBV also created Storytime Collection, a children’s label aimed at viewers from preschool age through approximately twelve years old. During 1983, PBV added several important licensing and label initiatives. Muppet Home Video, a Henson Associates subsidiary, supplied Muppet-oriented children’s programming. Playaround Video was introduced for exploitation and erotica titles, while Star Video Film World Festival targeted art cinema, foreign-language films, classics, and award winners. PBV also licensed material connected with Embassy Home Entertainment and MGM/UA Home Video. Some of these arrangements were later discontinued or moved to different distributors. In early 1984, Publishing & Broadcasting reorganized its video-related subsidiaries into Communications & Entertainment Limited. Consolidated Press & Holdings Limited obtained a stake in the new company. CEL retained a selection of recognizable home-video labels, including Muppet Home Video, Kidspics, and Thames Video, and distributed RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video material before a subsequent Hoyts joint venture. CEL attempted to develop a wider entertainment platform rather than remain solely a videocassette distributor. In 1984 it established Starscreen and agreed with Greater Union Film Distributors that Greater Union would manage theatrical distribution of the relevant titles while CEL would control home-video rights. The company also reached an arrangement with EuroVideo for distribution in West Germany, extending its reach beyond Australia. The company changed its approach to the rental and sell-through markets. It abandoned rental distribution in 1985 in favor of full-price product, then announced a return to rental in July 1986. In the same period, it operated under the CEL Entertainment Revolution banner and used A Chorus Line as a major theatrical and home-video opportunity. CEL also pursued New Zealand expansion by acquiring a local production house and a 30 percent interest in another facility. Les Smith joined in 1986 as head of home entertainment, bringing prior experience from Cannon Screen Entertainment in the United Kingdom. CEL's strategic position became more uncertain in 1987. It explored a merger with Virgin's entertainment interests, hoping to combine Virgin's international catalogue, name, and purchasing reach with CEL's established Australian distribution and marketing network. The proposal was abandoned on 20 May 1987. CEL then became the subject of competing acquisition efforts. Taft-Hardie Group reportedly offered A$42 million, while Quatro later secured the group with a reported A$48 million offer in October. CEL Home Video also acquired Sundowner Film and Video Productions. The group was publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, but it was delisted in 1989 after failing to pay annual fees. It continued operating for several years but ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 1999. Its historical significance lies in its role as an early Australian home-video distributor that experimented with specialized labels, studio licensing, theatrical partnerships, children’s programming, and cross-border expansion.
- 1999
Bankruptcy filing
[1]The company filed for bankruptcy after continuing for several years as a diminished entertainment group.
- 1989
ASX delisting
[1]CEL was delisted for failing to pay annual Australian Securities Exchange fees.
- 1987
Virgin combination abandoned
[1]A proposed Virgin-CEL merger was discontinued in May.
- 1987
Quatro acquired the group
[1]Quatro won a competitive acquisition process for the CEL group in October.
- 1986
Return to rental and New Zealand expansion
[1]CEL returned to the rental market and pursued acquisitions and investment in New Zealand production facilities.
- 1985
Shift away from rental distribution
[1]CEL moved toward the full-price video market after abandoning rental distribution.
- 1984
Communications & Entertainment Limited formed
[1]Publishing & Broadcasting Video and related subsidiaries were combined under the CEL name.
- 1984
Starscreen launched
[1]CEL entered film production and distribution through Starscreen and a theatrical-distribution arrangement with Greater Union.
- 1983
Specialized video labels expanded
[1]PBV added Muppet Home Video, Playaround Video, and Star Video Film World Festival-related activities.
- 1982
Australian Video partnership formed
[1]PBV partnered with the South Australian Film Corporation to establish Australian Video, with Breaker Morant as its first videocassette release.
Products and positioning
A broad-based Australian home-entertainment and film-distribution group that combined licensed videocassette releases with specialized labels, children’s programming, theatrical activity, and international expansion.
Children's home video · 1982
Storytime Collection
A PBV label created in 1982 for preschool and children’s programming. It began with a double-feature videocassette set and formed part of the company’s effort to divide its catalogue into clearly targeted audience segments.
Children's home video · 1983
Muppet Home Video
A label and licensing arrangement associated with Henson Associates’ Muppet programming. PBV signed the agreement in 1983 and initially planned releases of Muppet television specials for the Easter season.
Exploitation and erotica home video · 1983
Playaround Video
A PBV imprint launched in June 1983 for exploitation and erotica films. Its initial releases were packaged as double features containing two 90-minute films.
Art and international cinema · 1983
Star Video Film World Festival
A label introduced for art films, foreign-language productions, award-winning works, and classic cinema. It represented PBV’s attempt to serve audiences outside mainstream commercial video.
Home-video distribution · 1984
CEL Home Video
The company’s principal home-video business, handling rental and full-price videocassette releases across licensed feature films, television material, children’s programming, and specialized catalogues. It also managed home-video rights connected with some Starscreen projects.
Film distribution · 1986
A Chorus Line
A film promoted by CEL during its mid-1980s expansion into theatrical and rental activity. The company treated the title as an important test of its ability to connect theatrical exhibition with home-video distribution.
Brand decisions
1989
ASX delistingOtherBackground
CEL remained a publicly listed company after the 1987 ownership contest.
Action taken
The Australian Securities Exchange delisted CEL because it failed to pay annual listing fees.
Aftermath
The company continued privately for several years before filing for bankruptcy in 1999.
1987
Proposed Virgin-CEL mergerM&ABackground
CEL sought international buying power and broader access to theatrical, home-video, and television product.
Action taken
It explored combining its Australian distribution infrastructure with Virgin’s name, catalogue, and international support.
Aftermath
The merger proposal was abandoned on 20 May 1987, after which CEL continued seeking a strategic partner.
1987
Quatro acquisition of the CEL groupM&ABackground
CEL was placed in an acquisition contest involving competing entertainment and investment groups.
Action taken
Quatro won the bid in October 1987, replacing Taft-Hardie Group’s earlier proposal.
Aftermath
The acquisition brought CEL into Quatro’s entertainment interests, although the group later became defunct.
Reported acquisition offers. A$42 million Taft-Hardie Group offer → A$48 million Quatro offer (1987)
1986
Return to the rental marketStrategyBackground
The full-price strategy did not eliminate the commercial importance of video rental.
Action taken
On 30 July 1986, CEL decided to re-enter rental distribution.
Aftermath
The company used titles including A Chorus Line in an effort to strengthen its rental and home-entertainment position.
1985
Shift from rental toward full-price videoStrategyBackground
CEL reassessed its position in the videocassette market after operating in rental distribution.
Action taken
The company abandoned rental distribution and concentrated on full-price video releases.
Aftermath
CEL reversed the decision the following year and announced a return to rental distribution.
Sources1 sources
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