Screen Digest

December 6th 2007

Arts Alliance Media gain more online video content

 

Arts Alliance Media (AAM) has extended its online video content partnership with Warner Bros, to offer catalogue and new release films and television episodes through the Lovefilm and AOL online movie services on a digital retail basis. Previously, AAM only had rights to Warner Bros films on a digital rental basis. The first new release title available on a digital retail basis is Superman Returns, accessible in the same week as DVD retail. The deal increases the number of Warner Bros feature films available online from AAM, and is the first time the studio's catalogue will be available for download to users in the Republic of Ireland. AAM will also deliver Warner Bros video content through their own Video on Demand network Vizumi, which provides download services to partners.

Lovefilm and AOL now offer Warner Bros and Sony Pictures content on a rental and retail basis, whilst Universal Pictures material is only available on a permanent basis. In the UK, Twentieth Century Fox and Disney are the only major studios yet to ink retail deals. The deal follows BSkyB's renaming of its online movie service and addition of premium US film content on a paid rental basis for Sky TV customers. The partnership also follows Warner Bros' digital retail content deal with incumbent telco British Telecom in the UK for download through the BT Vision Download Store online.