Twentieth Century Fox is the latest producer to bet on the Web platforms for the commercialization of films and television series through the Internet.
Starting in October, movies like «X-Men: The Last Stand,» «Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties,» «The Omen» will be available on IGN Entertainment’s Direct2Drive download site – acquired last year by FOX- and «Thank You for Smoking», at prices around 20 dollars.
The producer makes available on the same site series like «24», «Prison Break» and «It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia» for 1.99 for each episode.
These contents can be viewed on users’ personal computers and portable devices that have a Microsoft copy protection system. Sales will, for now, be limited to the United States.
In 2007, Fox’s offer will extend to sites belonging to the News Corp group, as is the case of the social network MySpace.
Mickie Rosen, general manager for the entertainment area at Fox Interactive Media revealed that each site will use Direct2Drive technology, although it offers different user experiences and different content tailored to the profile of each audience.
Twentieth Century Fox has, until now, commercialized films through websites such as CinemaNow and Movielink although it has not yet invested in selling through websites, unlike other film studios and production companies.
Apple’s iTunes also already sells many of the group’s television series, including the famous «24», among others from Fox, for the same price that the company is considering selling, although the episodes are only compatible with iPod family devices.
Related News:
2006-04-03 – Film industry partners to sell films online
2005-04-04 – Sony wants to digitize 500 films and allow download to new platforms
