LONDON, England — Universal Pictures and the online rental firm Lovefilm are launching what they say is the world’s first download-to-own movie service in Britain next month.
Starting with “King Kong” on April 10, the companies say the new service will let people watch the latest movies on their laptops, home computers or hand-held devices while on the move.
Currently, films can be legally downloaded only for a short rental period, but this is the first legitimate means of downloading and owning a movie release, the UK’s Press Association reported.
“Download-to-own has the potential to completely revolutionize the way people watch movies,” PA quoted Peter Smith, president of Universal Pictures International, as saying.
Films will be available to download the same day the DVD is released. Consumers will get the film in three formats: two digital files available for instant download — one for a PC or laptop and one for a portable device — and a DVD copy sent by mail.
To Read the Whole Story, head over to CNN.
This more & more makes me think that that *Old Favorite Place to Eat Popcorn and Watch a Movie with a Whole Bunch of Strangers*, is going to be gone forever in the not to distant future along with the memory of the experience just like when it was *Fun* to go to the Drive-In…
Guess our Kids will be telling their Grandkids about what it was like to see a 1st run movie away from home with other people and not in their living room…
Hmmm…
Keith