BT To Launch Film Download Service

BT will launch a film download-to-own service next week, offering films to watch and own, which will be viewable via a computer, a portable device such as an MP3 player, and a DVD that will be mailed out.

The telecommunications giant has secured the rights to offer the films at the same time as they appear on the high street, around three months before channels like Sky Movies air them as pay-per-view.

However, BT’s film downloads will not work on an iPod or Mac, as users will need to have a Windows Media-compatible device.

Mike Cansfield, the telecoms strategy research director at Ovum, said: “This deal shows that the entertainment sector converging with telecommunications is becoming much more competitive, for the studios it means extending the shelf life, and ‘longtail’ of content.

“For BT it means they are able to offer films at the same time as the high street players and to get ahead of the pay-per-view market. It is a direct threat.”

Under the deal, Universal will also provide films and programmes to the BT Vision video-on-demand TV service, which will be available through set-top boxes from this autumn (see BT Unveils Next Generation TV Service).

BT: 0207 469 2337 www.btplc.com