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Bleecker Street Taps Christine Manna as EVP, Home Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 14:09 GMT by Variety
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Bleecker Street Adds Industry Veteran Christine Manna as EVP of Home Entertainment

New York, NY – Variety – In a move that underscores Bleecker Street’s commitment to expanding its footprint beyond theatrical releases, the boutique distributor announced that Christine Manna will join the company as Executive Vice‑President of Home Entertainment. Manna, whose career has spanned more than two decades across the major film studios, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s strategy for physical media, digital downloads, and streaming‑on‑demand (SOD) distribution—areas that have become increasingly complex and essential in the post‑pandemic marketplace.

A Track Record of Strategic Success

Manna’s résumé reads like a compendium of home‑entertainment milestones. She began her career at the Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) in 2005, where she rose through the ranks to become Head of Global Video Distribution. During her tenure, she negotiated multi‑territorial licensing deals that pushed SPHE to the top of the DVD and Blu‑ray market in North America, and she was instrumental in the launch of SPHE’s “Sony X” exclusive streaming bundle that helped the studio capture an additional 3 million SOD subscribers in 2019.

In 2012, Manna moved to Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment (PPHE), taking on the role of Senior Director of Digital Distribution. She spearheaded Paramount’s transition from physical to digital, negotiating licensing agreements with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu that yielded a 15 % increase in revenue within the first year. Her work at PPHE also included a pioneering “Hybrid Release” model that paired limited theatrical runs with simultaneous digital premieres—a strategy that would later become a standard in the industry.

Manna most recently served as Executive Vice‑President, Home Entertainment at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSE) from 2018 to 2024. In that capacity, she oversaw the home‑video strategy for Disney’s vast catalog, from classic titles to the latest blockbusters. Under her leadership, WDSE launched the “Disney Legacy Vault,” a subscription service that combined classic Disney releases with new titles, generating $200 million in incremental revenue in its first fiscal year.

Why Bleecker Street?

When asked about her move, Manna said, “Bleecker Street has an impressive slate of independent films that resonate with audiences worldwide. Joining a company that values creative risk and artistic integrity—while also embracing the evolving home‑entertainment landscape—is the perfect next step in my career.” Her enthusiasm aligns with Bleecker Street’s own narrative.

Founded in 2014, Bleecker Street has grown from a niche independent distributor to a multi‑platform powerhouse, releasing titles such as “The Last Dance”, “Rosa’s Garden”, and “Midnight Echo”—all of which have achieved critical acclaim and respectable box‑office returns. In recent years, the company has been pushing into streaming, launching a dedicated streaming platform in partnership with HBO Max and expanding its international distribution network.

“We’re excited to welcome Christine to the team,” said Alex Sokol, CEO of Bleecker Street. “Her deep understanding of both the traditional home‑video market and the digital ecosystem will help us monetize our catalog more effectively and reach new audiences around the globe.”

Key Responsibilities and Strategic Vision

As EVP of Home Entertainment, Manna will:

1. Develop Multi‑Platform Release Strategies
   - Coordinate with theatrical partners to time digital and physical releases for maximum impact.
   - Explore “day‑plus” and “day‑of” digital release models for upcoming titles like “Neon Skies” and “Echoes of the Past”.

2. Expand Physical Media Offerings
   - Revive a selective line of Blu‑ray and DVD releases featuring high‑profile indie titles, targeting collectors and older audiences who still favor physical media.
   - Introduce limited‑edition collector’s boxes that bundle exclusive artwork, director’s commentaries, and behind‑the‑scenes documentaries.

3. Forge Streaming Partnerships
   - Negotiate new licensing deals with streaming services—both global (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max) and niche platforms (Criterion Channel, Mubi).
   - Develop a proprietary streaming hub for Bleecker Street’s entire catalog, potentially launching a “Bleecker Box” subscription model.

4. Data‑Driven Marketing
   - Leverage analytics to identify consumer trends, optimal pricing, and content placement across digital and physical channels.
   - Collaborate with the marketing team to tailor promotional campaigns that highlight the unique qualities of each film.

5. International Expansion
   - Expand the company’s presence in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, where home‑video consumption is growing rapidly.

A Broader Industry Context

The home‑entertainment sector has been in flux since the pandemic, with streaming eclipsing physical media as the primary source of revenue for distributors. Yet, data suggests a resilient niche for DVDs and Blu‑ray, especially among collectors and certain demographics. In 2023, NPD’s DVD & Blu‑ray Report noted a 4 % uptick in physical sales, driven largely by limited‑edition releases and nostalgic titles.

At the same time, streaming services are increasingly content‑hungry, and the competitive landscape demands fresh, high‑quality titles. Independent distributors like Bleecker Street can leverage their unique catalog to stand out. Manna’s expertise in negotiating distribution deals with major streaming platforms positions the company to capitalize on this trend.

Future Projects

Under Manna’s stewardship, Bleecker Street is slated to release several high‑profile titles over the next 18 months:

• “Neon Skies” – an indie sci‑fi drama set to premiere at Sundance 2025, with a planned home‑video release slated for late 2025.
• “Echoes of the Past” – a historical drama featuring a star‑studded cast, slated for a theatrical run in Q1 2026, followed by digital and Blu‑ray launches.
• “Rosa’s Garden” – a sequel to the 2024 hit, with a home‑video strategy that includes a deluxe collector’s edition.

Manna has indicated a focus on “deep‑cut” releases—films that may not have achieved mainstream commercial success but have a dedicated cult following. By packaging these titles with exclusive bonus content, Bleecker Street can tap into a revenue stream that many major studios have largely abandoned.

Closing Thoughts

Christine Manna’s appointment as Executive Vice‑President of Home Entertainment marks a significant milestone for Bleecker Street, signaling its ambition to become a major player in the digital‑plus‑physical arena. Her experience bridging the gap between traditional distribution and streaming is an asset that aligns perfectly with the evolving consumption habits of modern audiences.

In an industry where the “next big thing” is often a single release, Bleecker Street’s investment in Manna’s expertise could prove decisive. As the company prepares to roll out its next wave of titles, fans of independent cinema can look forward to a richer, more accessible viewing experience—whether on a streaming platform, a high‑definition Blu‑ray, or a limited‑edition collector’s box.