Castle Communications PLC
British independent record / home video distribution company operating from 1985. Founded as Castle Communications Ltd. in 1983 by Terry Shand (3), Cliff Dane and Jon Beecher.
Name variants:
- Castle Communications PLC
- Castle Communications Plc.
- Castle Communications plc
Principal activities: Acquiring & exploiting music & video rights, including the release of its own branded products.
Starting out as a mid-price catalog reissue specialist, with labels including - The Collector Series, Dojo, Raw Power, Showcase, Kasino & Kastle Killers, Unforgettable, Blatant (2), Cirrus (2), Castle Music, the company grew into the largest European owner of repertoire outside the major record companies. Its video imprint was called Castle Vision.
In the 1980s they were notable for releasing many heavy metal compilations albums under the series name Metal Killers. Interest in these licensed releases led them to form their own heavy metal imprint Raw Power, to sign and promote new rock acts, rather than to just license older product from other more established labels. The first signing to the Raw Power label was the NWOBHM act Hell's Belles, releasing their debut album and single in 1985. After several years, the Raw Power imprint was retired with the waning of heavy metal's popularity in the UK.
During 1988 aquired Hendring Ltd., a music video company, and Independent Video Services Ltd., video sales and distribution company (renamed Castle Home Video Ltd.). Launched Knight Records Ltd. In July 1988 acquired Masterpiece Music Productions Ltd and Target International Pictures Ltd., a film distributor and sales agent.
On the 8th sept 1994 the whole share capital of Castle Communications PLC is acquired by AEC Holdings (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of American music distributor Alliance Entertainment Corporation. On 20th Nov 1998 Castle Communications PLC is de-registered as a public company and renamed Castle Music Ltd., by 1999 / 2000 the Castle Communications label imprint ceased to be used, being replaced by Castle Music.
Castle Music Ltd. is acquired by The Sanctuary Group Plc in May 2000 and is subsequently renamed Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. on the 27th June 2000.
Castle Communications Plc had many imprints and sub-labels that were part of the Castle Communications family, including Castle Communications, Castle Classics, Castle Records and Transatlantic Records (2). Subsidiary companies included - Castle Communications (Australasia) Limited, Castle Communications AG, Castle Communications Deutschland GmbH.