Los Angeles, CA (February 22, 2012) – Enjoying a working relationship that has spanned nearly half a century, it was announced that Ms. Streisand is extending her recording contract with Columbia Records. Beginning with “The Barbra Streisand Album” in 1963 through the most recent, her 2012 Grammy nominated “What Matters Most”, Barbra Streisand sings the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman.” Columbia and Barbra have enjoyed arguably the most successful consecutive collaboration in the history of recorded music, which includes number one albums in five consecutive decades; a feat that is unequaled by any other recording artist.

“From the day Goddard Lieberson signed me almost 50 years ago, Columbia Records has been my recording home, and I am thrilled to continue that partnership for many years to come,” stated Streisand.

She has released 62 albums with the music label, including number one albums: “People,” “The Way We Were,” “A Star Is Born,” “Barbra Streisand’s Greatest Hits, Volume 2,” “Guilty,” “The Broadway Album,” “Back To Broadway,” “Higher Ground,” and “Love Is The Answer.” Streisand’s music in film has also garnered multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globes.

“There are stars and there are superstars, and there’s Barbra Streisand,” said Steve Barnett, Chairman and COO, Columbia Records. “Home to Barbra’s recordings since 1962, Columbia Records is proud to play a vital role in her extraordinary career. We’re looking forward to the next chapter in our long and fruitful relationship.”

It was also announced today that Columbia Records will release a 12 DVD set, giving unprecedented access into her professional and personal life. The DVD set will consist of never before seen footage directly from Barbra’s archives, as well as milestones from her illustrious career.

An artist of unparalleled accomplishments in multiple entertainment fields, Streisand has made her mark as an award winning actress of stage and screen, recording artist, concert performer, film director, producer, screenwriter, songwriter, philanthropist, designer, photographer, author and activist. Barbra Streisand is the only artist ever to receive an Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Directors Guild of America, Golden Globe, National Medal of Arts and Peabody Awards as well as France’s Legion d’Honneur and the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She is, in fact, the recipient of 2 Oscars, 5 Emmys, 10 Grammys, a Tony and 12 Golden Globes including the Cecil B. DeMille Award. She is also the first female film director to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The three films she directed received 14 Oscar nominations.

Barbra Streisand is the only recording artist to have number one albums in five consecutive decades. Her 51 gold albums, 30 platinum and 18 multi-platinum each of which, according to the Recording Industry Association of America, exceeds all other female singers. Her most recent Grammy nominated album, “What Matters Most,” was her 31st to reach the Top Ten in the ratings charts, with which she passed The Beatles to become the third highest achiever in that significant statistic, exceeded only by the Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra. She is the only female among the top ten album-selling recording artists.

The Streisand Foundation has given millions of dollars in more than 2100 grants to over 700 non-profit organizations including her substantial underwriting of The Cedars-Sinai Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education Program which addresses the leading cause of death among women in the United States, as well as men. Barbra Streisand was recently honored by the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors for her generous support and dedication to the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Center.