Lycos Introduces Online VOD Rentals

WALTHAM, May 5: Lycos has
added VOD rentals to its existing ad-supported interactive Lycos Cinema online
video community, with viewers now able to watch premium rentals and free VOD
ad-supported film and episodic television titles.

Lycos Cinema offers
synchronous SimulStream community viewing, allowing users to come together to
view film and other video content in public or private screening rooms, in four
different screening modes, including both full and mini-screen modes. With the
addition of VOD rentals, Lycos introduces a new StoreFront business model to complement
its free, advertising-supported content, providing a customized, studio
boutique solution for the promotion of upcoming DVD and theatrical releases.

In addition to titles from
National Lampoon, Lycos has also expanded the free and VOD rental content
available on Lycos Cinema to include SpinCycle “mashimations” and the Fat Guy Nation series; classic television comedy episodes, game
shows and cartoon series from The Orchard and Classic Media; and mixed martial
arts content from ProElite. On the premium VOD online rental side, Lycos Cinema
users can now access award-winning independent films from Vanguard Cinema;
drama, comedy, urban, music videos and special-interest titles from Polychrome
Pictures; music, home video and television content from Lightyear
Entertainment; and independent film features from Indie Vision Films.

Lycos kicks off the
relaunch of Lycos Cinema by teaming up with IndependentFeatures.com, which
rolled out the first independent film festival where film selection is done
entirely online via a web-based competition. The competition begins today and
runs through June 30. The top 21 films will receive an invitation to the
Independent Features Film Festival, which takes place from July 25 to 27 at
Tribeca Cinemas in New York City and will be available exclusively on Lycos
Cinema.

The new Lycos Cinema
player utilizes the latest Flash Media Serving Technology, employing MPEG-4 to
deliver H.264 streams, to provide higher video quality and offering better
security for content partners. Additionally, Lycos has greatly expanded the
chat functionality within Lycos Cinema, utilizing an Open Source chat server to
expand lobby chat capacity from 10 users to thousands of users. The new Lycos
Cinema also introduces new video overlay advertising, providing greater ability
for users to interact with ad content.

"Our experience shows
us that while film and TV fans welcome the increasing availability to view
premium content online, they also desire the social interaction that is
inherent in today's web as part of their viewing experience," said Chuck
Ball, the VP of sales and marketing for Lycos. "By enabling users to watch
the same program at the same time, Lycos Cinema gives users a unique viewing
experience they cannot find anywhere else."

—By Irene Lew