Apple in Online Film-Rental Deal with Fox Studio?
The Financial Times reports that Apple has signed a deal with the 20th Century Fox studio to launch an online video-on-demand service "that could change the way people pay for online film content." The new service is set to launch at Macworld Expo, which kicks off on January 15th with Steve Jobs' keynote speech. The service will allow consumers to rent the latest Fox DVD releases by downloading a copy from iTunes for a limited time.
Rumors of Apple adopting a rental-model for movies have been circulating since last year. While no pricing information is provided with today's rumor, the Financial Times claimed in June that Apple was negotiating a rental service for $2.99/film for a 30-day rental. Pricing details, however, may have changed since negotiations first began.
Meanwhile, a digitally protected version of a film is also expected be included with DVD releases, allowing users to copy the movie easily to their iPods and iPhones, without resorting to "ripping" or otherwise converting the DVD to another format. This digital version would employ the same FairPlay copy-protection system used by Apple on their iTunes store purchases, though the details of the restrictions are unknown at this time. This move would help cement Apple's iPod and iPhone as the standard devices for mobile video content.
Rumors of Apple adopting a rental-model for movies have been circulating since last year. While no pricing information is provided with today's rumor, the Financial Times claimed in June that Apple was negotiating a rental service for $2.99/film for a 30-day rental. Pricing details, however, may have changed since negotiations first began.
Meanwhile, a digitally protected version of a film is also expected be included with DVD releases, allowing users to copy the movie easily to their iPods and iPhones, without resorting to "ripping" or otherwise converting the DVD to another format. This digital version would employ the same FairPlay copy-protection system used by Apple on their iTunes store purchases, though the details of the restrictions are unknown at this time. This move would help cement Apple's iPod and iPhone as the standard devices for mobile video content.
Top Rated Comments
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54 months ago
Wow! Finally, something we can sink our teeth into. I really like the digital version idea.
54 months ago
this will revolutionize the movie industry...that is if dumb CEO's like NBC don't stand in the way. This is brilliant. So now we can rent on iTunes/buy on iTunes or for old schoolers..buy the DVD with optimized iPod version already included...
54 months ago
Yes... this may push the TV to the next level and make it more practical for me to use.
54 months ago
i'm sure whatever the deal is, it'll be good. Apple knows what they are doing.
54 months ago
Yes... this may push the TV to the next level and make it more practical for me to use.
Completely agree. I've been looking for a good reason to purchase the TV. I would jump on the chance to go to my computer, download a movie to rent, stream it to the TV, and so on. I hope this is going to happen and that it grows with other studios jumping on.
54 months ago
Count me in even for 2.99$ for only 7 days. :D
Especially in winter time... heat the car, un-ice it, drive to pick up the movie, get back home, watch the movie then repeat all steps. :rolleyes:
Especially in winter time... heat the car, un-ice it, drive to pick up the movie, get back home, watch the movie then repeat all steps. :rolleyes:
54 months ago
Actually.... that doesn't sound like a bad idea.
$2.99 for 30 days, and a digital version (albeit protected) with DVD purchase is kind of smart sounding. But only if the digital version has the same protection as iTunes protected purchases, meaning I can burn a back-up copy and be able to share it with my close friends whose computers are authorized for my purchases.
$2.99 for 30 days, and a digital version (albeit protected) with DVD purchase is kind of smart sounding. But only if the digital version has the same protection as iTunes protected purchases, meaning I can burn a back-up copy and be able to share it with my close friends whose computers are authorized for my purchases.
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