Entertainment One (eOne) has added to its Canadian home entertainment distribution business by inking a deal to handle Vivendi Entertainment’s product domestically.

The Canadian producer also unveiled Wednesday a first-look deal with comedy producer Levity Entertainment Group to develop and release half-hour comedies.

From Jan. 1, 2012, eOne will release Vivendi Entertainment labels like Navarre, Funimation, Shout! Factory, Classic Media, Mill Creek and National Geographic, with many in the documentary and special interest genres.

Vivendi previously released its own product in Canada via its Vivendi Entertainment Canada shingle out of Toronto.

Entertainment One’s current Canadian home entertainment catalogue includes product form WWE, Image, A&E, New Video and Acorn.
The indie distributor releases around 150 home entertainment titles annually in Canada.

Separately, eOne has inked a two-year TV development and distribution deal with Levity Entertainment Group.

The Canadian producer will develop and produce half-hour comedies with talent represented by Levity, including Jim Breuer, Pablo Francisco, Hal Sparks, and Maz Jobrani.

eOne, which already releases Levity comedy specials across North America, will receive a supply of eight to 10 comedy titles from Levity annually for DVD and audio distribution.

“This first look deal offers major opportunity for us to continue our growth in the comedy and non-scripted arena by producing and developing original content with Levity,” eOne TV president Noreen Halpern said in a statement.