Skip to main content

Amazon buys complete control of European DVD service Lovefilm

Amazon.com has announced it will be acquiring full control of European DVD and streaming video service Lovefilm for an undisclosed amount. Lovefilm operates a Netflix-like DVD-by-mail operation in Europe, and like Netflix has recently entered the streaming video marketplace to PCs, the PlayStation 3, and selected Internet-enabled televisions.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon previously controlled 42 percent of the company; part of that ownership stake had to do with Lovefilm taking over Amazon’s DVD rental business in Europe back in 2008. (The other part had to do with Amazon buying out one of Lovefilm’s initial VC investors.) Now, Amazon is willing to go all-in: the new deal seems Amazon acquiring the remaining 58 percent of Lovefilm for an undisclosed amount. Lovefilm chief Simon Calver is staying with the company.

Recommended Videos

“Lovefilm has been innovating on behalf of movie rental customers across Europe for many years and with the advent of the Lovefilm player, they are further delighting customers by streaming digital movies for their immediate enjoyment,” said Amazon VP of European Retail Greg Greeley, in a statement.

Lovefilm currently has about 1.6 million subscribers in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The company has been in business since 2004.

Topics
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
This Insignia 55-inch 4K TV is only $240 today
The Insignia 50-inch F30 Series 4K Smart Fire TV hangs in a living room.

If you’re shopping around for a budget-friendly TV, one of the best brands to go with is Insignia. This is a Best Buy house brand that’s been around for a while, and Insignia TVs are designed with cost-cutting in mind. You won’t find all the bells and whistles of more advanced QLEDs and OLEDs on these models, but Insignia doesn’t skimp on picture quality and powerful smart TV tools. And one of the best TV deals this week just happens to be for an Insignia set:

When you purchase the Insignia 55-inch F30 Series at Best Buy or Amazon, you’ll spend $240 today. At full price, this model size goes for $350.

Read more
Best gaming TVs of 2024 for Xbox Series X, PS5, and more
LG C4 OLED

The best TVs should look great, sound fantastic, and feature numerous optimizations for the types of content people love watching most. And while it would easy to say that a TV billed as 4K is all you need for a great gaming TV, pixel count is just one checkbox. If you’re a diehard gamer (console or PC), there are plenty of other picture specifications to consider when buying a new TV. And while 4K resolution is still essential, features such as HDR (high dynamic range), input lag, and response time are far more critical tech specs to gamers who want their games to be smooth, fast, and looking as good as they can. 

Not all TVs are created equal, and even some of the best TV brands have one or two sets that aren’t great for gaming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of all the best gaming TVs you can buy in 2024. With options from Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL, there’s a gaming TV on this list for just about everyone.

Read more
Amazon deals: TVs, laptops, headphones and more
amazon boxes on doorstep

Amazon is one of the most popular retail outlets on the planet. It has almost everything you could want among its shelves, and that includes a plenty of deals worth taking a look at. All of the best Amazon deals are scattered across departments, with some great TV deals, laptop deals, and tablet deals leading the charge. There are even some really great coffee maker deals and MacBook deals worth taking a look at. We’ve pieced together what we consider to be some of the best Amazon deals to toss in the shopping cart today, so read onward for all of the details. You can also check out what the competition is up to with the current Best Buy deals and Walmart deals.
TCL 43-inch S4 4K Google TV — $210 $280 25% off

Value is front and center with the TCL 50-inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV, as it’s a nice balance of affordability and features. It delivers stunning 4K picture quality with four times the resolution of Full HD, as well as endless entertainment with easy access to your favorite streaming services. Google Chromecast is built right into the TV, allowing you to easily stream movies, shows and photos from your Android or iOS device. It also has 3 HDMI inputs, which makes it great for gamers who want to connect several consoles, or for anybody looking to set up a home theater arrangement.

Read more