Screen Daily
23rd October 2006
UK's AAM adds downloads-to-own from Sony
By Wendy Mitchell
Following on their VOD deal announced in August, Arts Alliance Media (AAM) and Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) have struck an agreement for downloads-to-own.
Starting today, AAM’s partner sites LoveFilm and AOL UK will offer UK-only downloads-to-own of select Sony Pictures films.
The initial 40 films on offer include The Da Vinci Code, The Legend Of Zorro, Fun With Dick And Jane, The Exorcism Of Emily Rose, and Hostel.
Similar to AAM’s download to own deal with Universal, customers will be allowed to download a digital version of the film to their PC, get an additional download copy to play on a portable device and also get a regular DVD copy in the mail. At a stage later this year, customers will be able to burn the films onto DVD.
The price of films will vary, with The Da Vinci Code package being offered at $37.40 (£19.99). Other titles will be added simulateously with their UK DVD release, including Monster House and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
“The emergence of new ways to distribute our movies is critically important to our business,” said Stuart Baxter, executive vice president of European distribution at SPTI. “Today’s announcement, which is the first DTO agreement we have signed in Europe, represents a critical juncture for us as we seek to expand our distribution sales into new growth areas. AAM is pioneering models like this in the UK market and we are already working with them to supply customers with our movies for renting. Groundbreaking services like this will stimulate and grow the electronic delivery of movies in the home market and marks the next exciting phase in the ongoing expansion of our distribution business.”