Amazon Acquires LOVEFiLM

LUXEMBOURG CITY/LONDON: Amazon.com has inked a deal to take full ownership of LOVEFiLM International, a European online and DVD subscription service that has 1.6 million members.

Amazon already owns a "significant minority shareholding" in LOVEFiLM, which operates in the U.K., Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, allowing subscribers to rent DVDs and video games by mail or stream films and TV shows online.

"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 Greg Greeley, Amazon’s VP of European retail. "LOVEFiLM and Amazon have enjoyed a strong working relationship since LOVEFiLM acquired Amazon Europe’s DVD rental business in 2008, and we look forward to a productive and innovative future."

"The deal is a winner for the members who love LOVEFiLM because of its value, choice, convenience and innovation in home entertainment," added Simon Calver, chief executive of LOVEFiLM International. "With Amazon’s unequivocal support we can significantly enhance our members’ experience across Europe."