AOL Launches Movie Download Service

By Geoff Duncan August 24, 2006

These days, it seems like everybody wants to get into the downloadable movie business. Today, it’s AOL, who has just announced the availability of download-to-own movies via its AOL Video site. Movies are prices from $9.99 for back catalog titles to $19.99 for new releases; once downloaded, movies can be viewed offline on a user’s PC, as well as on other PCs and compatible devices. Participating studios include Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group.

“We’re very excited to add digital movie downloads and additional TV content to the already wide-variety of content that we offer through the AOL Video portal,” said AOL Executive VP Kevin Conroy in a statement. “As we continue to build AOL Video into the best source to find millions of free as well as pay-to-download videos, we’ll continue to add more and more high quality branded content to the mix.”

Movies purchased from AOL require Windows XP, IE6, and Windows Media Player 10, and—so far as we can determine—cannot be burned to standard DVD for viewing..

AOL also announced it is adding television content from 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to the television offerings available through the AOL Video portal site, which organizes available content into more than 50 on-demand channels. Fox content to be available for paid download will include current series like 24,Prison Break, and Bones, along with f/x programming and “classic” Fox shows; Sony plans to offer up free ad-supported content featuring shows like SWAT,Charlie’s Angels, and the short-lived sitcom Action.

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