Universal Shifts Video Division

Universal Studios Inc., in another corporate realignment, on Monday said it will shift its home video unit so that it reports to Universal Pictures Chairman Casey Silver.

The move to put home video under the film wing is in keeping with the way most studios operate.

“It’s about product line mentality,” Silver said. “This is the industry norm.”

Before being bought by Seagram Co. last year, Universal, then known as MCA, was the exception, grouping all its ancillary businesses, such as video and pay television, under former television chief Tom Wertheimer.

Not having home video coupled with the movie unit was a major sore spot for years for the company’s former film chief, Tom Pollock. Home video most recently reported to Executive Vice President Sandy Climan, who last week was named president of international business development.

Universal Home Video is headed by Louis J. Feola. Under Feola, the video division has had such hit video titles as “Jurassic Park” and “Casper” and developed “The Land Before Time” as a video franchise that now includes four films and a just-announced song video.