Fox Takes Movies, TV Shows Direct2Drive

Fox makes a multi-year deal with itself to push selected movies and television series on its Direct2Drive service and other sites beginning in October.

Following on the heels of a multi-year deal which gives Google exclusive control over search and keyword advertising on MySpace and other Fox properties, Fox has announced a multi-year deal with itself (well, specifically, between Fox Interactive Media and Twentieth Century Fox) to sell Fox movies and television shows to consumers via the company’s Direct2Drive service beginning in October 2006, and eventually extending the arrangement to other Fox properties, including MySpace.

At first, Fox Interactive Media will offer 20th Century Fox movies, including new releases, direct-to-video and made-for-TV releases, as well as selections from 20th Century Fox’s film library, for sale via download to customers in the United States. Initial offerings will include films such as The Omen,X-Men: The Last Stand, as well as episodes of television dramas 24 and Prison Break and other offerings from Fox’s Fuel, Speed, and FX. Television shows will be available for purchase within 24 hours of original broadcast. Feature films will cost about $19.99 for new releases; TV series will be priced at $1.99 per episode.

“Our drive to deliver Twentieth Century Fox content via the most powerful online platforms is advanced substantially by this agreement,” said Peter Levinsohn, President of Digital Media for Fox Entertainment Group, in a release. “Offering Fox content in conjunction with FIM properties enables viewers to access the best movies and TV shows from multiple platforms in the Fox family.”

Fox already offers some television programming (including 24) via Apple’s iTunes Music Store at $1.99 each; however, those versions are only compatible with Apple’s video-capable iPod devices or the iTunes software. (It also offered episodes of 24 via MySpace.) Movies and films distributed via Direct2Drive and other Fox properties will use Windows Media Technology—meaning they won’t work on iPods or Macs. Fox will limit playback to two Windows computers and one portable device.