In bijlage treft u het originele persbericht betreffende deze belangrijke (r)evolutie in de wereld van de digitale entertainmentbeleving aan.

Beknopt: op 10 april slaan Universal Pictures UK en LOVEFiLM, de belangrijkste Europese speler op het vlak van online dvd-verhuur en video on demand, de handen in elkaar om King Kong aan te bieden volgens het revolutionaire download-to-ownmodel. De (Engelse) consument koopt (vanaf de dag van de dvd-release) niet alleen twee digitale files die hij onbeperkt mag afspelen (in tegenstelling tot VOD, dat een tijdslimiet heeft), maar krijgt achteraf ook netjes de dvd zelf thuisgestuurd. De twee downloadbare bestanden zijn respectievelijk afspeelbaar op pc of laptop, en op draagbare apparaten die het afspelen van beschermde WMV9 SP content ondersteunen.

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Origineel persbericht:

UNIVERSAL AND LOVEFiLM LAUNCH FIRST EVER
MAJOR DOWNLOAD-TO-OWN SERVICE IN UK
King Kong scores a global first download-to-own model

UK film fans will be able to watch movies in an entirely new way from 10th April 2006, when Universal Pictures UK (a division of Universal Pictures International and NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies) partners with LOVEFiLM, Europe’s largest online DVD rental and video on demand operator, to launch the UK's first ever major movie download-to-own (DTO) service and a global first download-to-own model comprised of two digital files alongside the DVD as a consumer offering.

The revolutionary new service will be toplined by Universal's blockbuster hit, King Kong, as the first ever blockbuster movie available to download in this way. King Kong, directed by triple Academy-Award winner Peter Jackson and starring Oscar-nominated Naomi Watts, Academy-Award winner Adrien Brody and Jack Black, has amassed $550 million at the global box office to date.

Universal, in partnership with LOVEFiLM, is the first Hollywood studio and entertainment company to launch a direct-to-consumer electronic sell-through distribution model in the UK, leading the industry in harnessing the increasing number of high-speed broadband connections in homes.

Video On Demand (VOD) currently exists in the digital marketplace and is characterized by its streaming technology which provides a temporary download that consumers may view within a 24/48 hour period. VOD content is available in the pay-per-view TV window around 3 months after DVD release. This first Download-to-Own launch model is of great significance because, being an electronic sell-through model, it differs markedly by granting the consumer two permanent download files to own indefinitely, alongside the DVD, and is available much sooner to customers on the same date as the DVD release.

The revolutionary new download-to-own model will allow customers in the United Kingdom to download digital versions of films to their PC’s or laptops, plus a copy to view on a portable device, as well as a DVD copy of the film, all for a special launch price of £19.99. The new service will also be available at www.aol.co.uk. AOL film downloads launched in February 2006 and is fully powered by Lovefilm. http://www.aol.co.uk/film/downloads/

King Kong will lead the collection of 35 titles from Universal, which will be launched in the UK via LOVEFiLM on 10th April. Other titles will include major feature films such as Pride & Prejudice, Serenity, Doom and Nanny McPhee within a wide range of Universal content. The technology for this service is provided by Arts Alliance Media, parent company of LOVEFiLM and pioneer of digital film distribution.

Peter Smith, President of Universal Pictures International said, "Universal is very proud to be the first to launch this download-to-own model in partnership with LOVEFiLM, particularly debuting with a film of the calibre of King Kong. Download-to-own has the potential to completely revolutionise the way people watch movies. The entertainment industry is changing rapidly, with the introduction of new delivery channels to consumers and an emphasis on instant access. We are delighted to enable more people to access Universal content in such a unique and flexible way."

"This represents a landmark development in the entertainment world, and the way customers view movies and content", said Mark Livingstone, C.E.O. of LOVEFiLM.com. "We are delighted at LOVEFiLM to be the world leaders in this innovation with Universal. Customers want to access and enjoy movies in many ways. This unique download-to-own service is a complement to LOVEFiLM’s best known online DVD rental by post service, as well as its popular video on demand rental range."

THE UNIQUE DOWNLOAD-TO-OWN SERVICE - HOW IT WORKS
• UK customers can access www.lovefilm.com/kong.
• Non LOVEFiLM subscribers will need to register (free) in order to purchase the download-to-own combination package.
• A digital copy of the chosen title(s) can be downloaded from 00.01 on April 10th.
• A second copy can also be synched to a portable "play for sure" digital movie viewing device, allowing customers to enjoy the movie on the move.
• Customers ordering any title will receive a DVD copy to keep via the post in special protective packaging. These DVDs will be despatched via first-class post by LOVEFiLM on the same day the customer purchases the download.

The digital delivery of the download-to-own film will be made over the Internet, via Arts Alliance Media’s secure distribution system. For more information on this system, see www.lovefilm.com/downloads/faqs

To ensure safe and secure delivery and playback of the purchase, customers will need Windows Media player 10 on their PC and a portable device that supports playback of protected WMV9 SP content. This standard Digital Rights Management tool also means the download-to-own movie cannot be duplicated, burnt to disc, uploaded to the web or emailed on in any way shape or form.

About Universal
Universal Pictures UK is a division of Universal Picture International, part of NBC Universal - one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

About LOVEFiLM
• LOVEFiLM is Europe's largest online DVD rental service with over 53,500 titles.
• LOVEFiLM launched the first UK mass market movie download service to its UK subscriber base in December 2005. Users are able to view the service through Microsoft Windows* Media Player version 10, which also provides the necessary digital rights management system, security and anti-piracy control. The service is further enabled through LOVEFiLM's own unique technology platform, Hoffman.
• LOVEFiLM has introduced over 300,000 people to online DVD rental.
• LOVEFiLM is part of the Arts Alliance Media Group.
• LOVEFiLM offers a range of online DVD rental options. These include £9.99 a month, allowing members to have one DVD out at any one time; £12.99 for two at a time, £14.99 gives the option of three DVDs, whilst £19.99 allows you four DVDs at a time. These packages include unlimited DVD rentals each month, free postage and no late fees.
• LOVEFiLM was awarded the prestigious British Video Association’s 2005 award for the UK's Rental Success of the Year – Home Delivery.
• Webuser independently awarded LOVEFiLM Best Service in the UK, "What LOVEFiLM does so ingeniously is make the process of renting DVDs so engaging that you can't but help develop a greater interest in film." (Webuser, March 2005)