Warner Bros. Seals On-Demand Deal in China

BEIJING: Warner Bros. Entertainment has announced a deal that will make its new release and catalogue films available on China’s first national pay-per-view and VOD platform, which is expected to be accessible to 3 million homes by the end of this summer.

The distribution agreement was signed between CAV Warner Home Entertainment Co., Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s joint venture in China, and YOU On Demand Media. With an exclusive 20-year joint venture with CCTV-6’s pay-TV arm China Home Cinema (CHC), YOU On Demand is set to be the country’s first PPV and VOD operator. The service is looking to tap into China’s burgeoning pay-TV market, which currently stands at some 200 million cable households. YOU On Demand aims to reach 3 million of those homes by the end of the summer.

“China is developing methods for consumers to view movies outside the cinema in a legitimate fashion,” said Jim Wuthrich, the president of international home video and digital distribution at Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. “Through YOU On Demand’s platform, millions of potential consumers will be able to view our films. They will make it easy for consumers to see the latest films including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—Part 1.”

"Our distribution agreement with Warner Bros. marks a historic milestone for our company," added Shane McMahon, YOU On Demand’s chairman and CEO. "I’m excited for the millions of Chinese consumers that will be able to experience and enjoy the very best content that Hollywood has to offer through the YOU On Demand platform."