Universal Pictures has become the first major Hollywood studio to make its films available online in the UK after yesterday announcing that film fans will be able to download blockbuster films to keep from the Internet.
For £19.99, customers will get the film in three formats. The first two will be digital files sent over the Internet - one for a computer or laptop, and one for a portable device such as a mobile phone so you will be able to watch King Kong on the move.
At present, it is illegal to download films (other than short-term rentals) or copy them from a DVD on to your computer. Users of the service will also get a DVD of the film sent to them in the post.
For the first time, fans will be able to get them to own over the Internet without breaking the law, an innovation which could do for movies what iTunes did for music.
Peter Smith, president of Universal Pictures International, said:
"Download-to-own has the potential to completely revolutionise the way people watch movies.
"The entertainment industry is changing rapidly, with the introduction of new delivery channels to consumers and an emphasis on instant access."
The service starts on April 10 with 35 of Universal's box office hits being made available, including King Kong, Pride And Prejudice, The Bourne Supremacy, Love Actually, Nanny McPhee and Bridget Jones. The studio said it hopes to make its entire back catalogue - some 6,500 movies - available within months, and could soon offer television programmes as well.
Experts said it is a significant step forward for Hollywood.
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