LOVEFiLM Scores Warner Bros. Movies for Exclusive Second Window

LONDON/BURBANK: Warner Bros. has entered into a distribution partnership with LOVEFiLM that spans digital subscription, download-to-own, physical DVD and Blu-ray rental and pay-per-view services.

The agreement also includes Warner Bros.’s branded SVOD service WarnerFilms. The partnership kicks off in December, with titles such as The Dark Knight, The Hangover, Gran Torino and Sex and the City 2. LOVEFiLM subscribers with streaming in their package will be able to instantly watch a regular flow of Warner Bros. latest movie releases in the coming months and years. Through LOVEFiLM’s DVD and Blu-ray subscription rental service, titles will be available 60 days after release, starting in 2012. WarnerFilms also provides 24-hour on-demand access to 28 movies at any one time, with seven new titles added each week.

Josh Berger, the president and managing director at Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain, said, “This significant deal with LOVEFiLM and its parent company Amazon takes a 360-degree approach to delivering Warner Bros.’ world-class movies across multiple business lines. Now, LOVEFiLM customers will enjoy more ways of enjoying great film content, all with the ease that the service has become known for.”

Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, the president of Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, added, “The establishment of a second pay window with LOVEFiLM is an important evolution in the way films are made available for viewing in the U.K. in ever-more convenient ways. Importantly, the structure of the deal ensures that our films continue to retain their value to linear and non-linear operators following this window and for the long term.”
 
Simon Calver, the CEO of LOVEFiLM, commented, “This major deal builds on our partnership with Warner Bros. and gives LOVEFiLM members exclusive access to world-class movies across multiple platforms. We are committed to delivering the best entertainment service possible—giving our members the content they want on the platforms of their choice.”