Hi-Tops Video


Hi-Tops Video was a children's home video sublabel of Media Home Entertainment, active from 1986 until 1991. Some of its releases include some Charlie Brown specials, Madeline and primarily some of the original Baby Songs video releases beginning in 1987.

History

The company was initially run by Heron president Stephen Diener, with many of the other executive positions filled by people who had previously worked for rival Family Home Entertainment.
Deals made by Hi-Tops included a partnership with Worlds of Wonder to distribute Teddy Ruxpin tapes, and a deal with MTS Entertainment for videos featuring Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, as well as the two Barbie specials produced by DIC Entertainment during this period.
Outside of the United States and Canada, Hi-Tops Video releases were distributed by other companies, examples being Video Program Distributors in the United Kingdom and Family Home Entertainment in Australia. In Canada, some Hi-Tops Video releases were distributed by Astral Video, a now-defunct subsidiary of the present-day Astral Media.
In 1990, Video Treasures assumed distribution of Hi-Tops Video titles. Shortly afterwards, Media/Heron began seeking a buyer for the assets of Hi-Tops. In July 1991, Western Publishing acquired Hi-Tops Video from Heron Communications. Golden Book Video obtained rights to 60 yet to be released Hi-Tops Video titles, while previous titles were distributed by Video Treasures. Lightyear Entertainment moved its Stories to Remember series to BMG Video as a result of the sale.

Products

''Snoopy's Home Video Library''

Hi-Tops Video was the original distributor of the first VHS releases of the majority of the Peanuts television specials. These specials were distributed as part of a series, Snoopy's Home Video Library.A Charlie Brown Christmas Charlie Brown's All Stars! It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown Play It Again, Charlie Brown You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown! You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown Life is a Circus, Charlie Brown It's Magic, Charlie Brown Someday You'll Find Her, Charlie Brown It's an Adventure, Charlie Brown Is This Goodbye, Charlie Brown? It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown
Some other Peanuts specials, such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, were not distributed by Hi-Tops Video, instead being distributed by Kartes Video Communications, as well as some early VHS releases of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show. Some of the specials released in the Snoopy's Home Video Library series were earlier released by Media Home Entertainment on tapes with two or three specials appearing. The video distribution rights of all the Peanuts specials were later given to Paramount Home Entertainment from 1994 to 2007, then Warner Home Video from 2008 onwards.

Other shows and products

Inhumanoids My Favorite Fairy Tales Madballs Babar and Father Christmas Dick Tracy and The Oyster Caper Enchanted Journey Home Alone: A Kid's Guide to Playing It Safe When on Your Own Swan Lake Lady Lovely Locks and the Pixietails Cricket's Clubhouse
Some other original video series, such as Little Schoolhouse, were produced for Hi-Tops Video. The Hi-Tops Video releases of The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin were designed to be compatible with the Teddy Ruxpin doll.