The Blog for Video 2.0
Friday, December 28, 2007
Apple and Fox to offer movie rentals via iTunes?
As had been speculated earlier in the month, News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) and its studio Twentieth Century Fox have signed a deal with Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) to allow users to rent the latest Fox DVD releases by downloading a digital copy from Apple’s iTunes platform for a limited time, reports FT, citing sources. No pricing info in the story, though an earlier report in June pegged it at around $2.99 per rental.
The new deal will likely be announced at the Macworld show on January 14, and FT portrays it as a deal that “has the potential to transform film distribution.” I am not so sure the consumer market is ready yet...also, download speeds and time, usually on the higher side for movie files, still matter. Also, the Disney movie downloads on iTunes haven’t burned the charts yet in any meaningful way.
One interesting twist that will help, though: Besides the online rental deal, a digital file protected by Apple’s DRM scheme FairPlay will be included in new Fox DVD releases, enabling film content to ripped to a PC and video iPod. DVD content can already be moved to an iPod but this requires a bit of an effort.
The new deal will likely be announced at the Macworld show on January 14, and FT portrays it as a deal that “has the potential to transform film distribution.” I am not so sure the consumer market is ready yet...also, download speeds and time, usually on the higher side for movie files, still matter. Also, the Disney movie downloads on iTunes haven’t burned the charts yet in any meaningful way.
One interesting twist that will help, though: Besides the online rental deal, a digital file protected by Apple’s DRM scheme FairPlay will be included in new Fox DVD releases, enabling film content to ripped to a PC and video iPod. DVD content can already be moved to an iPod but this requires a bit of an effort.
Labels: apple, ipod, movie downloads, movies
Wal-Mart closes Movie Download service
Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT - News) quietly canceled its online video download service less than a year after the site went live, a company spokeswoman said on Thursday.
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Wal-Mart shut down the download site after Hewlett Packard Co (NYSE:HPQ - News) discontinued the technology that powered it, Walmart.com spokeswoman Amy Colella said in an e-mail. She added that it will not look for another technology partner.
HP spokesman Hector Marinez said the company decided to discontinue its video download-only merchant store services because the market for paid video downloads did not perform "as expected." He noted that the Internet video business remains uncertain and is changing rapidly.
The online video market has seen a number of closings as 2007 wraps up. 2008 may continue this trend of consolidation and closures.
Fans of indie films still have many online avenues including downloading iPod movies from sites such as HungryFilx.com.
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Wal-Mart shut down the download site after Hewlett Packard Co (NYSE:HPQ - News) discontinued the technology that powered it, Walmart.com spokeswoman Amy Colella said in an e-mail. She added that it will not look for another technology partner.
HP spokesman Hector Marinez said the company decided to discontinue its video download-only merchant store services because the market for paid video downloads did not perform "as expected." He noted that the Internet video business remains uncertain and is changing rapidly.
The online video market has seen a number of closings as 2007 wraps up. 2008 may continue this trend of consolidation and closures.
Fans of indie films still have many online avenues including downloading iPod movies from sites such as HungryFilx.com.
Labels: online video, video download, wal-mart
Friday, December 7, 2007
Movie Gallery closing MovieBeam download service
Video Business is reporting that Movie Gallery confirmed it will close its MovieBeam set-top box download service on Dec. 15.
The video chain acquired MovieBeam earlier this year from the Walt Disney Co. and others investors. Movie Gallery said the initial acquisition cost plus any ongoing development expenses would amount to less than $10 million this year.
The previous investors had spent more than $100 million on the service.
Movie Gallery filed for bankruptcy protection in October.
The video chain acquired MovieBeam earlier this year from the Walt Disney Co. and others investors. Movie Gallery said the initial acquisition cost plus any ongoing development expenses would amount to less than $10 million this year.
The previous investors had spent more than $100 million on the service.
Movie Gallery filed for bankruptcy protection in October.
Labels: bankruptcy, movie downloads
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