He-Man and the Masters of the Universe | Source: Mattel/Netflix

Digital-first entertainment is the norm, but physical media continues to have a place alongside streaming and digital electronic sell-through (EST).

Mattel inked a multiyear physical and digital distribution deal with NCircle Entertainment and Mill Creek Entertainment for series and specials that debut first on Netflix. Under the new agreement, NCircle and Mill Creek will produce DVDs for the U.S. and Canada in addition to offering select titles for sale on digital EST and video-on-demand (VOD).

The deal includes Masters of the Universe: Revelation, the upcoming He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, and a host of Barbie content, including the Barbie Dreamtopia special, the first two seasons of Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, Barbie Princess Adventure, Barbie & Chelsea: The Lost Birthday, and the upcoming Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams film.

Related: Backstory: Masters of the Universe — He-Man and Skeletor are Back in Action as the Legendary Battle for Eternia Reignites

“Our primary focus is on entertainment that is accessible and relevant for young children, and Barbie, Thomas & Friends, and Masters of the Universe will be a perfect addition to our product line-up this year, and for years to come,” says NCircle’s Mary Flynn, vice president of sales and content acquisitions.

The first wave of titles will begin hitting retail in the months ahead.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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