Brazilian distributor Top Tape is shifting gears in a bid to capture the growing DVD market in Brazil.

The first indie in Brazil to deal with the new format, Top Tape plans to acquire 40 to 50 DVD music titles a year from artists such as Steely Dan, Cristina Aguilera and Santana. The move follows on from an output deal with US-based DVD distributor Aviva earlier this year.

Brazil's home video sector is still in a slump but the DVD market is taking off, albeit slowly. "We expect that Brazil will have 150,000 to 200,000 DVD homes by Christmas 2001," said Top Tape president Jose Sobrinho.

According to Sobrinho, the 31-year-old indie is going to be "more selective" in its theatrical acquisitions. It will pick up only 8 to 10 titles each year compared to the 18 to 20 titles it acquired in the past. Recent Top Tape acquisitions include Celebrity, Under Suspicion and Cut, the last two in partnership with local indie Europa Video.

In addition, Top Tape has signed a sub-distribution deal with music/home video distribution company Son Livre (Free Sound), a division of Brazil's leading media conglomerate, Organization Globo. Starting this Christmas, Top Tape will handle the physical distribution of Son Livre's animation TV series such as Monster Rangers and other animation product.