Tim Beddows has passed away, the Managing Director at Network Distributing Limited in UK. He was 59.
On Friday, November 18, Beddows passed away. Network Distributing confirmed the news to Deadline in a statement, describing Beddows’s death as a “terrible shock to everyone who knew him both personally and professionally.”
“The Network team are devastated but committed to continuing his legacy and building upon Network’s position of strength as a leader in the UK home entertainment market,” This is the statement.
Network was founded by Beddows in 1997. This UK-based company acts now as an independent UK publishing and distribution group.
It is best known for its restoration work. Some of the company’s biggest re-releases include The Sweeney: The Professionals and The Woman in Black, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, The Prisoner, and Gerry Anderson’s Supermarionation library.
Network purchased a variety of libraries in 2021 including Rapido TV and Danziger’s TV catalogue and Hammer Films. A new company, Hammer Studios, was established to manage Hammer’s interests across its library of content, including Black Woman (2012), Allow Me to In (2010), Dracula (1958), The Snowman is Abominable (1957) Quatermass Experiment (1953).
In addition, the company set new standards. Doctor Jekyll Film starring Eddie Izzard. It is currently in post production.
Jonathan Lack, Network Director, stated: “For the past four years, I’ve had the honor of running the company alongside Tim, as we positioned Network as the strong market leader it is today. We are all devastated by his passing but the whole Network team understood Tim’s dreams for the future of the business and we are committed to delivering that dream, and building upon his legacy for our stakeholders and customers.”
Steve Rogers (Head of Product Development and Research at Network) added: “His legacy is huge and this work will continue. Always forward-thinking, Tim had started to plan for the next five to ten years, so he will remain a very real presence at Network in both its outlook and content output. Together we will take the company forward with his vision, and he’ll be with us on the continuing journey.”