Initially, video cassette and laserdisc releases were either programmes with no Equity or MU involvement, such as natural history and other documentaries, or material licensed from third parties, including feature films such as High Noon and the first video release of Deep Purple's California Jam concert.

The company also worked with Philips on early Laserdisc releases, including a notable ornithology disc called British Garden Birds, presented by David Attenborough.

This disc was released in 1982 and included digital data in the form of Teletext, which could be read by any suitably-equipped television set.

This pioneering use of a data channel on a consumer video format led directly to the development of the BBC Domesday Project in 1984–1986.

These included The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer.

With this, the company expanded rapidly, securing the market lead in retail video sales in the mid to late 1980s and the early to mid-1990s.

[7] In 1989, VCI launched the "Cinema Club" budget label, signing a deal with RCA Columbia Pictures International Video/Columbia-TriStar Home Video to release their back catalogue.

[13] In September, the company secured a £300 million deal to purchase the football club, which Manchester United rejected.

[20] On 8 September 1998, SMG, who already held a 26.1% share in VCI, approached a £31 million bid to purchase the company outright.

In September, the company signed a seven-year agreement with longstanding partner Ragdoll Productions to release the revival of Brum on home video,[25][26] which was expanded in November 2002 to include Boohbah as a five-year deal.

[36] Much of the home video deals and partnerships that were previously held by VCI were also retained including HIT Entertainment (which had purchased Gullane Entertainment 2 years prior;[37]) for Thomas & Friends releases, Ragdoll Productions for Brum, Boohbah and Rosie and Jim, and their worldwide home video deal with Manchester United.

[49] In March 2010, BBC Worldwide announced that they had finally reached an agreement to purchase Woolworths Group's 40% stake in 2 Entertain, making it a fully owned subsidiary.

[50] After the deal closed, BBC Worldwide's standalone rights to children's, music and educational products transferred to 2 Entertain.

[53] In Australia and New Zealand, BBC Worldwide initially distributed their products through PolyGram Video before entering into a long-term partnership with both ABC Commercial and Roadshow Entertainment that began in 1996 and was renewed many times, with one of them being a four-year extension occurring in September 2008.

[55] Following the expiration of this deal, BBC Worldwide/Studios began distributing its products through Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Strand VCI held the North American rights to several properties including Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends, the ABC Kidtime video lineup, the 1989 The Jungle Book anime series, as well as content from ITN.

[57] In March 1993, Strand signed a seven-year extension with Quality Family Entertainment to continue to be the exclusive distributor for Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends home videos in North America until 1999.

They also signed a distribution deal with British distributor Abbey Home Entertainment to release their products in North America, including Bump's First Video.