The difficulties facing the German independent distribution sector has forced Wolfram Tichy's TiMe Group to re-locate its theatrical distribution and licensing arm TiMe Medienvertriebs GmbH from Munich to the group's headquarters in Potsdam.

Commenting on the decision, which saw the laying off of distribution head Rudy Tjio and five other staff, Tichy declared that it had "not been easy" to give up the Munich-based operation after almost 12 years in business. "Under the present market conditions, however, an independent medium-sized distribution company with a repertoire as maintained by TiMe could no longer be economically run"

"Some years ago we had warned along with other colleagues that the increasing blockbuster mentality, linked with the reduction of broadcast slots for feature films, would lead to a clearing out among the medium-sized distributors. Today this situation has occurred", Tichy continued.